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“THE PEPPER POT RESTAURANT.” I spied the overreaching sign that swung outside on the strip. The place sat on the end of the market street, not far from the civic center, but if you didn’t know it was there you could easily miss it.
“This is Ryane’s joint. The food is really good if you like southern fare. Do you like spicy food?” Siegfried asked, helping me from the cab of the truck.
“I’m not opposed to it.” I smiled, looking around. There was some mild landscaping to spruce the place up, but it needed work. “Does she make any money at all with a location like this?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Siegfried laughed. “Truth be told, since Ryane owns the property there really is more she could do with it. Like expanding and putting in a patio for outdoor dining. It would double her capacity; she could even afford, at this point, to expand into the empty store adjacent if she wanted to. If I were her, I’d put in a glass wall for outside inside eating so people can see the outdoors but keep out of the elements. Maybe put in a pond or fountains...”
“You been mulling it over then?” I chuckled as we entered the place. It was neat and clean. It smelled of fresh cut flowers and cookies, and something else I had never smelled, but made my mouth water instantly. “Oh, what is that?”
“Fried gator tails,” Siegfried whispered into my ear. I could feel the smile as it curled up over his lips. “Guess I did okay bringing you here?”
“If those things taste half as good as they smell, Hell yes, you did good.” I turned my head, grabbing him by the cheek and finding his mouth. He seemed surprised as my tongue made claims on his for an instant in a heated, if not all too brief kiss.
“Sig?”
A woman’s voice broke the moment and I looked across the expanse of the entrance way to see a small red haired girl that sort of reminded me of my sister, Mary.
“Hi, um...” Siegfried seemed to be searching for her name.
“Gilda Thrughogh, Third year, Whildeborn Fey. We met last semester through Greisen Calder at the Phi Beta Delta Spring Fling?”
“Ah, Okay, right. How are you?”
“Better. Finally got my shape straightened out.”
“I see that. You look good.”
“Thanks, anyhow, just you two tonight?”
“Yep, got a few nights to myself. The Bossman took a little vacation with the little lady.”
I wasn’t sure I liked their familiarity. I pulled away from Siegfried somewhat as they conversed, looking around the place, half listening.
“How sweet. We all love Ryane here. She’s a great Boss. Come on over and I’ll get you started. What do you want to drink?”
“Um, just a light beer right now, and babe?”
I was still looking around and nonchalantly sizing up Gilda. “Oh, yeah, whatever you are having is fine.”
“Umm, is she old enough?”
I made eye contact with her and she swallowed hard, my Dragon must have pushed up, because she seemed to stiffen as Siegfried wrapped his arm over my shoulder, leading me to a table.
“Sorry, it’s just, you know, business and all...” Gilda slunk away, embarrassed.
“Is my girl getting jealous?” He asked with a short chuckle, pulling out my chair for me to sit. “You know, before I took to taking care of Ryane all the time, I used to have flocks of girls following me around, but when you keep one around all the time, for whatever reason, things like that fizzle as fast as the word of it can spread.”
“Yeah, well if it doesn’t fizzle now I will make it sizzle, got me?” I licked my finger, putting a dollop of saliva on a fork. Siegfried watched as it melted and curled up on itself.
“Point well made. But don’t worry, I’m all yours,” he insisted.
“That’s what I like to hear.”