Read Online Lilah's List by Robyn Amos - Free Book Online Page B

should. You called me chopped liver,” she said, becoming indignant all over again.
    The bouncer looked her up and down, from her black motorcycle jacket and belted red knee-length sweater to her black leggings and red ankle boots. “I must have been crazy,” he said with obvious appreciation.
    Angie bristled under the bouncer’s sudden change of heart. Lilah looked over her shoulder to see that Tyler had hailed a cab. Realizing the girls weren’t behind him, he walked back toward them.
    Just as he reached Lilah’s side, the diner door flew open and Belle burst out onto the pavement.
    â€œThere you are!” she shouted, grabbing Lilah by the shoulder.
    The bouncer rushed forward. “Mama, what’s wrong? What happened?” He turned a menacing eye on Lilah. “What did you do to my mother?”
    â€œNothing! I—I—” Lilah’s heart hammered in her chest.
    Tyler stepped forward to get in between Lilah and the bouncer, and slipped a protective arm around her shoulder, but Belle was already pushing her son back, “Hush, Remy.”
    Belle thrust a fistful of cash into Lilah’s hands. “You left your money on the table.”
    Lilah pushed the money back at her. “No, that’s your tip.”
    Belle’s brow was lined with confusion. “There must be some mistake. Your bill was only twenty-four dollars.” She held up the money. “You left over four times that.”
    Lilah shook her head. “No, this is for you. I’ve always told myself that one day, when I received really great service, I would leave an outrageously good tip. That day finally came for me, Belle. I wanted you to have this for working so hard and making us laugh.”
    For a moment the older woman stood speechless, staring at the money in her hands. “How can I thank you?”
    Remy stepped forward. “You gave my mother a hundred-dollar tip?” He shook his head, tapping his fist over his heart “One love. You’re good people. You’ll always be VIP with me. Come to the club any night you want, and I’ll get you in free.”
    Lilah felt Tyler lower his arm from around her shoulders. She missed it right away, but knew it wasn’t the right time or place for thoughts like that.
    â€œThanks, Remy, but that’s not necessary,” Lilah said. “I understand it’s your job to keep riffraff like us out of your respectable establishment. But I’m sure Angie wouldn’t mind an apology for calling her chopped liver.”
    Remy opened his mouth but Belle was already on him. “Remington Alfonso King—what is this I hear? You were rude to a woman? Calling her names?”
    â€œMama, you know I sometimes have to get tough at work. It’s part of the job.”
    â€œYou apologize right now.”
    Remy hung his head. “Yes, Mama.”
    Lilah giggled under her breath, watching the sheepish giant all but kneel at Angie’s feet.
    When he’d apologized to his mother’s satisfaction, she excused herself to get back to work. But not before taking the time to thank them each profusely and to welcome them to eat in her section anytime.
    With his mother gone, Remy turned his attention back to Angie. “A woman as fine as you are could never be chopped liver. You should let me make it up to you. Personally.”
    Angie waved him off. “Okay, that’s enough of that, big boy. You’re not my type.”
    â€œI can be any type you want….”
    Lilah tuned out the rest of their banter as Tyler turned to face her. “What happened? I was getting a cab and then I saw you two getting into it with this guy again.”
    Lilah laughed. “It was funny because I came out of the diner and saw him standing by the door, so I asked him if diners have bouncers now, too. He told me he was just picking his mother up after her shift. He was staring at us like he didn’t know who we were, so I