Regina stiffened the second the woman’s hand brushed her arm. “Don’t touch me,” she said softly...but the softness was sharp, like glass wrapped in silk.
She pushed the woman back just enough to reclaim her space.
The middle-aged woman scoffed, lips curling. “Look at you. Acting like you’re suddenly above people.”
Regina’s jaw tightened. Her skin crawled. “What the f**k is wrong with you?” she asked quietly, eyes blazing. “Do you enjoy embarrassing yourself in public, or is this your natural state?”
The restaurant had gone tense again. Forks paused mid-air. Whispers slithered through the room.
Security rushed over, two men standing stiff and alert. “Ma’am,” one said firmly, “you’re disturbing the peace. You need to calm down or we’ll escort you out.”
The woman glanced around, finally
