Page 44 of Rags to Royals

“I’m going to need you to not overreact or lose your shit. Just stay in your seat.”

We’re sitting in the café in downtown Emerald. As always, Henry is facing the room so he can see everyone coming and going and everything that’s happening.

In the beginning I wondered why he always wanted my back to the room. What if someone was coming to stab or shoot or kidnap me? But he assured me thatheneeded to know if that was happening before I did and that he’d shoot them between the eyes before they got close enough to hurt me.

I have no idea if that’s true. It’s never been tested. I guess, thank God, though that would be exciting. I long ago decided that Henry wants to see the rooms so he can check out all thepretty girls and just keep an eye on the general action. He’s an action guy. At least compared to me, he is.

I frown at him now, though. We’re inOhioand like five people on the planet know that. Or, more precisely, there are five people who know who I am who also know I’m in Ohio. Is there a knife coming my way? Other than a butter knife to spread more mayo on my burger? “What are you talking about?”

“This is not a good time for her to see you,” Henry says.

Her. That one word rocks through me. That has to be Scarlett. Which means she’s here. I turn and scan the room and immediately find her at the register paying for a sandwich.

I’m not shocked. This is the main eatery in the town where she lives and works.

But I am shocked by my reaction to seeing her. She was already gone this morning when we all woke up. Last night she basically told me she didn’t think things were going to work out between us.

Yet my heart thumps hard and my entire body tenses.

I want to go to her. Right now. I want to pull her into my arms, kiss her, andclaimher. In public.

But I get it. Henry and I spent this entire morning covering up who I am and why I’m here.

Fuck. It’s already pissing me off.

She’s wearing jeans, a dark green tank top that shows off her toned arms, and her hair is tied up under a dark green bandana. She’s also got black work boots on.

She looks kickass and gorgeous.

I watch her turn toward the front door. Then stop, sigh, and turn back to the restaurant. She starts toward a table where three women are sitting.

“Do not go over there,” Henry says.

“Who are they?”

“I don’t know who they all are, but the blonde is Hannah Lawton. Leah’s mom.”

“TheLeah? The one who’s been a shit to Mariah?” I ask with a scowl.

“Yeah.”

I sit, just watching, but I don’t like it. This is a very strange protective instinct. I don’t feel this toward many people. Mostly because the people I love don’t need it from me. Not only are they surrounded by literalpaidprotection, but they’re all strong personalities who don’t take any shit. No one wants to be on the receiving end of my sister’s ire. Or my niece’s, even at age twelve. Oh, it gets her in trouble. Always has. But that hasn’t done a thing to quell her instincts to stand up to bullies and people who are just plain wrong.

Right now, Scarlett is holding a roll of bills out to Hannah.

“You mean she shouldn’t have lied?” Hannah asks, her voice raised now, clearly wanting to draw attention.

“No. I mean she shouldn’t have spilled the juice on Leah’s shirt,” Scarlett says tightly.

“But she also lied,” Hannah says. “Are you going to apologize for that?”

“Just take the money for the shirt.” Scarlett looks exhausted.

“I’m really sick of Mariah making Leah uncomfortable and school so unpleasant for her,” Hannah says. “School should be a safe space. They need to focus on learning.”

“I agree,” Scarlett says. “Let’s talk to the girls about just ignoring one another entirely. They should just stay away from each other. They don’t need to be friends or enemies. They can just be nothing.”

Hannah sits straighter. The women with her are staying completely silent. As is the rest of the café. Everyone is listening, if not outright watching the interaction.

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