Page 40 of Smokey's Distraction
“What about me watching you dance?” a male voice growled.
“We know you’re gonna be there, Bones, so why would we ask?”
Smokey’s low laugh washed over Ashley. “She’s got you there.”
The waitress set the plate down in front of her with aclunk. “Santa Fe, medium-well.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled while placing the napkin on her lap.
Pointing to Ashley’s empty cup, the server asked, “You want coffee?”
“Yes, thanks.”
Ashley checked the tin of creamer to make sure there was enough milk as the waitress filled her cup.
“Anything else?”
“I’m good.”
Ashley picked up the burger and took a bite, chewing slowly, letting the flavors play on her tongue. The patron next to her laid a twenty-dollar bill down on the counter and slid off the stool. Just as Ashley dipped a French fry into the ketchup and popped it into her mouth, the scent of pine and leather wafted in the air around her as someone plopped down onto the empty seat beside her. Looking sideways, her mouth went dry.
“Hey,” Smokey said.
“Hey,” she mumbled, reaching for the glass of water.
“How’s your burger?” His low, caressing voice wrapped around her.
“Good.”
Sidling up to Smokey, the blonde asked, “Whatcha doin’ over here?”
Turning, Ashley met the dancer’s stare, and watched a slow smile of recognition spread across her face.
“You’re the one I was talkin’ to at Blue’s Belly.” She giggled. “This is a small world.”
“It is,” Ashley said as she pushed away her half-eaten dinner.
Smokey gave the girl a look. “Aren’t you gonna be late for your shift, Diamond?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Aren’t you comin’?” Her eyes sliced to Ashley’s.
“No. I’ll see you around.”
A tall, blond man in a leather jacket and tight jeans walked over and nudged Smokey’s shoulder. “Who’s the pretty lady, dude?”
Smokey threw a menacing look at the man. “Take the girls to Dream House. Emma’s gonna be pissed if they’re late. Blade’s already texted, asking where the hell they are.”
“Don’t wanna share?” The man laughed as his eyes roamed over Ashley’s body.
Smokey shrugged the guy’s hand off his shoulder. “Get a move on, bro.”
“Are you coming, Bones?” another man shouted.
He nodded, circling his arm around Diamond and pulling her away. The curvy dancer walked up the aisle, but kept looking back at Smokey.
“Your date didn’t look too happy about leaving without you. You don’t have to keep me company,” Ashley said.
Smokey turned on the stool so he was facing her. “Diamond isn’t my date. The guys and I took the women out for a bite to eat. No reason to worry about it.”
