Tracey shook her head and looked across the room at Diesel, standing by the bar talking with Quincy and a few other guys. He was staring at Tracey, stoic faced, like a rottweiler, with cold, dark eyes.

Roni got the chills. “Quincy introduced him to me as if he was one of his friends who are like family, like you guys. He seemed nice enough, although he didn’t say much. Is he dangerous?”

“Only to Tracey’s panties,” Izzy said with a smirk.

“Would you stop?” Tracey snapped.

“I’m making a mental note to seat you next to him at Thanksgiving,” Dixie teased.

“Don’t you dare!” Tracey warned.

“You guys are having Thanksgiving together?” Roni asked. She wasn’t looking forward to the holidays without her grandmother.

“Of course.” Dixie set her green eyes on Tracey and said, “And now that Diesel’s back in town, he’ll be there, too, sitting right next to his dessert.”

“Ohmygod! Stop!” Tracey snapped. “The guy has a revolving bedroom door. I’ve seen him leave work with a different woman every week. He’s like a mama bear over me. It’s so annoying.”

“There is nothing mama about that man,” Josie said. “He’s a mammoth of muscle and grunts. He never says more than two words.”

“He doesn’t have to. His eyes say it all.” Tracey lowered her voice and said, “Go near Tracey and I’ll rip your arms off.” She sat back and sighed. “When he took off for those two weeks last month, I made more money than I ever have in tips. It was awesome. Now I’m back to serving mostly women again. If he doesn’t let up, I’m going to have to look for another job.”

“Oh no, you’re not. You’re family. I’ll talk to Diesel, and I’ll increase your salary to make up for the lack of tips in case it takes him a while to learn to back off,” Dixie said.

“You can’t do that, Dix, and for Pete’s sake, don’t talk to him about me,” Tracey said.

“She can do it, and she should. Dixie’s the boss,” Finlay reminded her. “You’re not quitting, Tracey. We need you here. If you don’t want Dixie talking to him, I’ll have Bullet set him straight.”

Roni loved the way the girls jumped in to take care of Tracey. She hadn’t realized how much she was missing out on. She longed for friends like these.

“No,” Tracey said. “If anyone is going to talk to him, it’ll be me.”

“But I can’t let you work where you’re not comfortable,” Dixie said. “That’s not right.”

“I’m not uncomfortable anymore. I’m just mad about my tips. I’ll talk to him. Not now, but one day when I find some courage lying around.” Tracey’s gaze moved around the table, and a small smile appeared as she said, “Like maybe next year. I’d better get back to work.”

“Me too,” Izzy said. “Oh, Dix. I can’t make it to Thanksgiving. Jared’s giving me a ride to New York to see my family.”