Page 23 of No More Lies

“Ah, of course. Can I tell you a secret?” Donnie leaned in close to her.

Megan nodded, her expression totally serious.

“I came for the burger, too,” he whispered, and Megan giggled again.

Steve smiled at them both. All of Raven team adored Megan. God help any boy who eventually dared to ask his daughter out. He’d have to pass through six special operators to do it.

“You’re welcome to join us, unless you have other intentions tonight?” Steve arched his eyebrow questioningly. Out of all of them, he was closest to Donnie, and his dear friend was seldom without a pretty girl on his arm. He wasn’t envious. He was a one-woman man, that woman being Diane. No one else even came close.

“Nope. Just here for a burger.” He plopped down next to Megan. “Megan, you take up soooooo much room.”

“Not as much as you, Uncle Donnie. Maybe you shouldn’t have a burger.” Megan said innocently. Steve burst out laughing, and Donnie looked at her in horror.

“Are you saying I’m getting too big, young lady?”

“Well, look,” she said very seriously. “You take up more than half the seat.” She motioned to the seat.

Steve grinned at his friend. “Out of the mouths of babes.” There was nothing quite like the innocence of a child. Not that his buddy was overweight. The training the team did meant they were all in top physical shape. The booths were just small.

“Daddy, can I choose a song on the jukebox?” Megan was climbing off the seat.

“Sure, Pumpkin.” He handed her a few quarters and watched her skip over to the big machine in the corner.

“She’s something else, man.” Smiling, Donnie shook his head. “Going to be trouble in a few years.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. I’m not letting her out the house.”

Carly, their regular waitress stopped at their table. “Hey, boys, what can I get ya?”

“Hi, Carly, I’ll take a burger and fries. Megan will have the kids burger with an orange juice. Donnie?”

“I’ll take the same as him. And a beer.”

Carly turned back to Steve. “Any beer for you?”

“No, I’m good with water, thanks, darlin’.”

“You got it boys. Won’t be long.”

“Water?” Donnie looked at him teasingly.

“Let’s just say I overdid it last night.”

“Ouch, that bad?”

“Yeah, you don’t want to know.” The embarrassment was still raw.

“So, you took your leave, can I ask how things are?”

Other than Dex, Donnie was the only other person he’d talked to about his marriage.

“Not great. I’m trying to be patient.”

“I take it she’s at work?”

“Yeah. She was meant to be home for dinner, but she bailed.”

“I’m sorry, man.”