Page 105 of Her Selfless Warrior (Omega Sky)
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“A Waffle House?”Kostya asked for the fifth time.
“Quit your bitching and eat. This is the shit,” Gideon grinned.
“You’re from San Jose, California, they don’t have Waffle Houses there,” Kostya protested.
“Kostya, you’re sounding like a big baby, what is your problem?” Lark demanded. She was sitting in the booth across from him, next to Gideon. For the last hour, they’d been acting like long-lost friends. “Seriously, these are the best waffles on the planet, but it’s the sausage, egg, and cheese bowl that’s the real treat.”
Kostya looked at the congealed heart-attack-inducing heap in the bowl sitting in front of her and shuddered.
“I’m fine with my over-easy eggs and bacon.”
“Then for God’s sake, eat it,” Gideon said as he started in on his second waffle.
Kostya started eating, not even noticing what he was putting in his mouth, too astounded by the amount of, and type of, food that Lark was consuming.
“Dude, pay attention. We need to talk about the next steps,” Gideon said as he snapped his fingers in front of Kostya’s face.
“The next steps are that Lark is going to go home with me for a couple of days.”
“I am?” Lark’s head popped up and her fork stopped mid-air.
“You are. First, we’ll talk to the authorities. After that, the story can wait for a minute or two now that we know that Candy is safe. I want us to have a little time together. I want to show you where I live.”
“You mean you’re not all excited to see my little one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan?” she teased.
“Damn, girl, I thought your Mama was a gazillionaire.”
Lark grinned over at Gideon. “I’m pretty sure she’s a multi-gazillionaire. But as I’ve told Kostya, that’s her money, not mine. Therefore, I live in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. But to be fair, I’m betting my apartment costs more than your house in Virginia Beach.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Kostya.
“I wouldn’t take that bet if I were you, Lieutenant.”
“Lark?” Kostya asked quietly.
She put down her fork, pressed her napkin against her lips then rested her hand against the table, palm up. He grabbed it and tangled his fingers with hers.
“I would like nothing better than to see your house and spend some quality time with you, Lieutenant Barona.”
“Shit, I would have thought you’d all quality timed enough already.” Gideon was smiling despite his sarcasm.
“You’re just jealous,” Kostya said without heat. “Wasn’t the last time you quality timed was at Sebastian’s wedding? How is Jada Harlow? Have you been keeping in contact?”
When Gideon didn’t answer, Kostya forced his gaze away from Lark’s and looked at his friend. Gideon was frowning.
“What?” Kostya asked.
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?”
Gideon gave Lark a considering look, then shrugged his shoulders as if to say he trusted her. He set down his fork and leaned back against the booth.
“She’s young.”
Kostya nodded. “And?”
“I meanyoung. She’s twenty-four.”
