Claimed by the BRATVA Grump (Sunshine and the Bratva #1)

Sammie

The milk frother screams, Duchess is sitting on table four again, and Lucifer has managed to break into the cat treat cupboard for the third time this week. Tuesday at Purr

One. Don't feed the cats, no matter what lies they tell you.

Two. Tips go in the jar, compliments go to the chef, complaints go to Lucifer.

Three. Everyone is welcome.

"I have exactly the right number of rules.

" I glance at the cat, then back at the man, and something about the two of them side by side strikes me as almost funny.

Both dark. Both still. Both looking at the world like they're waiting for it to do something worth reacting to.

"He's good company, actually. Quiet. Doesn't judge. "

"Qualities I appreciate," he deadpans.

"See? You're already bonding." I straighten up, tucking the cloth back into my apron. "I'll leave you to it. Shout if you need anything. Or don't shout, you seem like a don't-shout sort of person, so just catch my eye."

I'm three steps away when I privately assign him the name that's already formed in my head, easy and inevitable, the way all the best nicknames are.

Mr Grumpy.