Once Logan let me in on the new initiative the city was putting into action to keep the city clean, I knew this was coming. The initiative apparently included auditing establishments like tattoo and smoke shops to the point that it forces us out of business. They seem to think this cleans up the city’s image.

The thought makes me so irate I can hardly function.

“Do you know about this?”

“Those assholes are trying to shut me down, and they’ll find anyway to do it,” I growl as I take the paper from her hands.

“I figured as much. Those greedy dickheads.”

From the corner of my eye, I feel Savannah enter the dining room. She lingers just near the doorway, obviously watching for the right time to join the conversation. Hazel peers up at her for a moment.

“Come on in, sweetheart.” She gives her a warm smile that almost makes me jealous because it resembles the same smile she gives me.

Then, Hazel turns toward me again. “If you need me to take care of this, I’d be happy to, Murph. Let me give them a piece of my mind.” I love this firecracker of a woman, but she can’t fight all of my battles for me.

“Thanks, Hazel, but I can handle these fuckers.” I touch her shoulder, feeling the sharp bones under her skin. I can’t let her stress about stuff like this right now. She needs to rest, stay home and get better.

She’s not getting better, a cruel voice in my head reminds me.

“Savannah,” Hazel says, directing her attention to the girl on her right. “Did you know Murph owns a tattoo shop? He’s so talented. You should go see it.”

Savannah stirs in her seat, and I have to look away to hide my smile. “Is that so?” she asks, keeping her poker face on.

I send her a subtle wink just to torture her, and even though I know she sees it, she keeps her eyes on Hazel. This is going to be fun, I think. Torturing each other until the other breaks.

“Savannah is a beautiful artist too,” Hazel mumbles with her lips against the rim of her wine glass. My eyebrows shoot up as I tilt my head toward Savannah.

“Really?” I ask, drawing out the word in a teasing tone. I notice the subtle tensing in her jaw as she ignores my response.

A moment later, Ruby walks into the dining room carrying a large soup tureen with a ladle and sets it on the table between us. Savannah hops up to get the bread and butter, following with the salad. As we all dig into our dinner, I savor every bite. When was the last time I sat down for a real home-cooked meal? It’s been too long which would explain why this soup tasted like fucking heaven. Ruby’s cooking alone should have been enough to keep me coming back.

We make pleasant dinner conversation, mostly Ruby and Hazel trying to get Savannah and I to talk more than we’re comfortable with. When she gets Savannah on the topic of boyfriends, I watch the girl clam up. Then, they do the same thing to me, which only makes me laugh.