Page 38 of Privilege

The woman had an almost conspiratorial smile on her face when she said that, but Lucia just brushed it off. There was always one scheme or another going on in the kitchen. They always made it their first mission to have fun, and make sure the people who came in to eat were having a good time, too.

“Oh, and happy birthday, princess!” the manager shouted at her back as she headed into the kitchen.

Lucia just shook her head as the rest of the kitchen and dining area echoed that same statement. Happy birthday, Lucia. They’d already told her five times or more, but they just had to remind every single person that came through the line that it was her birthday, so she could be told again.

She really did enjoy working here.

As for the princess thing … well, she didn’t mind that so much when it was her coworkers. They never said it with malice, just amusement.

Lucia made quick work of grabbing the waiting containers of heated potatoes and carrots, and bringing them back out to the line to get them ready for whoever would handle her station while she took her break. She was just pulling off the apron, gloves, and hairnet when she first felt it.

Like whispers crawling over the back of her neck, and making all her fine hairs stand on end. Like a clenching in her chest, and butterflies beating in her belly.

His voice only confirmed it when he finally spoke.

“You got a minute, princess, or …?”

Lucia spun around to find Renzo leaning against the food line. He wore his usual leather jacket, and worn jeans with holes in the knees. His typical T-shirt had been replaced with a white button-down. It pulled the whole look off and gave him that I-don’t-give-a-damn vibe that he didn’t even have to try very hard to put off. With his hair pushed back like he’d been running his fingers through it, and his dark gaze on her, Lucia thought Renzo probably had no idea what he looked like standing there.

A woman’s walking wet dream, really.

Bad boy appeal.

Lazy smile.

He looked like trouble all around.

Lucia had settled herself with not trying anymore where this guy was concerned. He was determined to tell her to fuck off at every turn, and frankly, she was tired of being told to fuck off.

So, why was he here?

“Ren,” Lucia greeted, “what can I do for you?”

“I just told you. I want a minute. Do you have one, or not? Seems busy.”

Lucia could have lied, said she’d be working the line, and sent him on his way. Something inside of her felt like a hand clamping around her throat to keep her from spilling that lie, though.

“I’m on a break, actually.”

Renzo nodded. “Outside, then?”

“Sure.”

It was only as she was following Renzo outside that she realized what he called her when he first greeted her. Princess.

“How long were you in the dining room?” she asked.

He shot a smirk over his shoulder. “Long enough, princess.”

Like her coworkers, there was no malice to his tone when he said it. His gaze still glinted with a bit of enjoyment when her eyes narrowed in on him.

“Where’s Diego?”

Renzo pushed the doors open that led to the outside, and warm air brushed along Lucia’s bare legs. She didn’t miss the way he turned to speak, but hesitated in his words because he was too busy taking in the dress she wore. Maybe she liked it a little too much when his gaze lingered on her legs, and then higher until he finally stopped on her face.

“I took him to Brooklyn to spend a couple of days with our sister.”

“You have a sister?”