Part 51 (1/2)

”If he did show any interest in you,” Gloria continued. ”I would be forced to cut him off.”

”Financially,” Penny clarified.

”Yes.”

”As he's made millions with The Daily Grind, I don't see that as a big problem.” Penny stood. ”I don't know what you want, Gloria, but you're not going to get it here. Go torture someone else. I'm not interested in your games.”

Gloria rose. ”You can't dismiss me.”

”Seems that she just did,” Naomi said from the doorway. ”I couldn't help overhearing some of that. Wow. It's all so ugly.” Naomi smiled broadly. ”While we're sharing, I've slept with Reid and Walker. Not at the same time, of course, because that would be tacky. But both of them. That should give you something to chew on.”

”s.l.u.t,” Gloria hissed.

Naomi laughed. ”If that's the best you can do, I'm not sure why so many people are afraid of you.”

Gloria grabbed her coat and walked out. Naomi moved over to the desk and she and Penny gave each other a high five.

”Talk about someone needing an att.i.tude adjustment,” Naomi said. ”You okay?”

”I'm fine.” Penny eyed her friend. ”Are you really sleeping with Walker?”

”I just saved your b.u.t.t. How about thanking me and offering me a big raise?”

”I appreciate the rescue, even if I didn't need it. Are you really sleeping with Walker?”

Naomi shrugged. ”Just once. It was nice, but now it's over.” She frowned. ”We're friends. Weird, because I don't believe in guy friends, but there we are.”

Penny didn't know what to say. First of all, Naomi loved to talk about her conquests. She always said that was nearly the best part. Second, friends?

”Don't look so confused,” Naomi said. ”He's different. I like him.”

”Like as in romantic affection?”

”No. Just like as in like.” Her expression tightened. ”This is private information and you are never to talk about it with anyone.”

Penny grinned. ”Blackmail material. Cool.”

CAL RETURNED to the restaurant just before five. As he walked into the kitchen, he smiled at the familiar chaos that preceded the genius that was Penny's menu.

”How's it going?” he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the noise.

”Great,” Penny said.

Naomi reached for two salads. ”Your grandmother was here and threatened Penny.”

He swore. ”I warned her if she meddled, I would walk.”

Penny shook her head, as if warning him off. Naomi rolled her eyes.

”Oh, right. She acts up and you bail. So we're stuck having to deal with her on our own. Very manly. Remind me to call you first in a crisis.”