“I was grasping at straws. Work with me.”
“Fine. It’s possible in some alternative universe that he’ll get selective memory loss of things I wish I hadn’t said to him. That’s realistic.” Mel snorted.
“You did save his life. I bet that overshadows everything else. You endured trauma. Everyone knows people blurt out things they don’t mean under a lot of stress.”
“Temporary insanity?” Mel smiled. “I could plead that.”
Mary grinned back. “He does have a nice ass.”
“Tina? Is that you?”
“Bitch!” Mary slapped her thigh. “Don’t even joke by saying her name. My boyfriend was still living with me when that slut nailed him on my couch. She’s a horrible person. I just noticed your guy’s backside. Big difference. I don’t plan to touch it.”
“Ouch! You just hit someone who got shot.”
“Sorry. That was a low blow, though.”
“I’m trying to cheer myself up. It’s become a habit to turn snarky after growing up in my house. I’m sorry, too.”
Mary stood. “You must be hungry. I’m going to fix you something to eat. It’s past dinner time. What do you want?”
“How about a grilled cheese with ham?”
“Do you have the makings? Otherwise, I have to run home.”
“I do.”
Mary shook her head. “I would have cooked you anything you asked for. You’re so easy. Tina, is that you?”
“It doesn’t have the same effect on me. I wish she’d slept with Deputy Dud when I dated him. An experienced slut like her might have given him some pointers.”
“I think you’re serious. And that scares me.”
“He was bad.” Mel grimaced. “Talk about enduring trauma. He grunted like some pig with its snout stuck in a fence the whole minute he lasted. He got mad and insulted when I tried to suggest we try a few things. He acted like I’d told him he had a small dick and his mama was a whore.”
Mary laughed. “Some men are just assholes.”
“Deputy Dud and your ex are prime examples.”
“I’m going to call Joel’s wife and have her bring us one of her delicious pies. Darleen said to tell her if you needed anything. That’s pie. This occasion calls for calories.”
“Why would she offer that?”
“You’re a hero, Mel. I doubt those men would have just shot the New Species and walked out of the diner. We were witnesses, and they didn’t bother to wear masks. We could have identified them if they’d left us alive.”
“Anyone would have done what I did.”
Mary sobered. “No, they wouldn’t have, Mel. They’d have saved their own ass and run in the opposite direction. I’m not proud to admit that I froze. I couldn’t move. I was too scared—but you did something. The customers were trying to crawl toward the kitchen to escape. Joel ran out the back door to get a gun from his truck, but he forgot to grab his keys and locked himself out of both. Then he ran to get help. I know people tease you because of your accent and some of the things you say, but you’re a really good person. I want to be you when I grow up.”
Mel laughed. “You’re older than me by a year.”
“It’s the thought that counts, and I look younger.” She winked. “Makeup is a wonderful thing. I’m going to bring you over to the dark side.”
“You keep your makeup bag away from me. You’ll be the best friend in the whole wide world if you do.”
“I tried to stop Snow from taking you to Reservation. You should have spoken up, but you just meekly allowed him to carry you off. Don’t forget that.” Mary grinned. “I’m not letting you quit your job.”
“You can be replaced. I’m sure there’s some matchmaker website for finding a new best friend.”
Mary snorted. “You’d need to buy a computer or a cell phone first to access the internet. And if there is, I bet Tina’s on one of those sites. She has no friends. You might end up with her as your new bestie. I wouldn’t press your luck any more today, since you were already shot, Mel. She’d not only touch Snow’s ass, she’d dig her heels into it on your couch while nailing him.”
“You really need to get over that.”
“I will one day, when I find someone hotter and better in bed than that jerk.”
“Have you met the guys who live in this town? Deputy Dud is the second-best-looking one who isn’t married. The most good-looking bachelor is your ex.”
“Fuck you, Mel. Now I’m depressed.”
“Misery loves company.”
*
Snow hated that Reservation had been locked down. He wanted to go into town to check up on Melinda. He clenched his hands around his silverware and glared at his dinner. He slammed his fork into the meat and sawed at it with the knife.
“What did that chicken breast do to you?”
He raised his head to glare at Timber. “I can’t believe the task force team members took her home.”
“Melinda? Doc Alli said she was okay to leave Medical.”
“She could be in danger.”
“We were the targets.”
“She shot two humans.”
“They were working together as a team. It wasn’t some big plot with more males involved. We have them in custody, and it’s over. They thought they could become famous by killing Species.” Timber cut his meatloaf. “Crazy humans.”
“I don’t understand their logic.” Jinx sat at Snow’s left. “I can see wanting to do something that makes a lot of money or gets people to admire you for your intelligence or skills. Killing? That gets you locked up and hated.”
“They probably don’t have skills.” Timber shrugged. “It was the only way they could hope to gain their five minutes of fame.”
“They won’t even get that.” Snow felt a little satisfaction over that. “None of the news outlets are aware of what happened. Justice wanted us on high alert for the next twenty-four hours in case that changes. Sheriff Cooper and his deputies are keeping it to themselves, but it’s possible the customers may say something. Joel and the other waitress didn’t seem eager to share that armed males invaded the diner. I think they are worried it would make other humans fear going there.”
A pair of pretty brown eyes with golden flecks flashed through Snow’s mind. “Melinda was taken home with pain medication. She’ll probably stay home until she heals. It would be difficult for her to work with only one good arm. She can’t carry her trays.” Guilt came next. “We should check on her to see if she needs help with anything.”
“Like getting undressed and someone to help her shower?” Jinx grinned. “You’d volunteer for that, wouldn’t you?”
“She did confront two gunmen for us.”
“You always watch her, Snow. Did you think we didn’t notice?” Timber smirked. “Who suggested we go to the diner today? I believe it was you.”
Snow glared at him. “I was in the mood for a steak sandwich, and everyone agreed it sounded good.”
“After you scouted the back parking lot and spotted her car there.” Jinx snorted. “I saw you look in that direction on our way to the sheriff’s office. You made certain she was at the diner, and you suggested having lunch as soon as we were done with our meeting.”
“She’s attractive, and she makes me smile.”
Timber nodded. “She’s a bit shy, though. I think you need a more aggressive female.”
“She shot two males.” Snow’s irritation grew. “That’s courageous. Did you see what the other humans inside the diner did? They threw themselves on the floor, and some were wiggling on their bellies to get away. She didn’t run. She retrieved a weapon to help us.”
Jinx nodded. “That was kind of hot when she stood up clutching that old weapon.”
“I was afraid she’d shoot one of us,” Timber admitted.
“She wouldn’t do that.” Snow slammed his utensils down. “She’s always friendly when we go to the diner.”