"Absolutely." He wasn't the first man to suggest going one on one with her. When she would casually mention to men that she had been trained to fight, they always ended up saying that. And then acted surprised and hurt when she ended up kicking their asses. She didn't mind, however. It was a good way of weeding out men she wasn't interested in anyway. If they couldn't handle the bruised ego of being beaten by a girl, they didn't deserve her time. "Once you get some time to rest and heal, I don't want to go breaking you or anything."
Once Mitch headed off to the back to clean up, Annie sidled up to the bar where Eliot had been standing and very obviously watching the two of them. He held his hand back out for the truck keys and Annie grinned before handing them over.
"Interesting guy," she mused with a smile. "Friend of yours?"
Eliot grunted. "May have helped him out once or twice before."
"I knew it."
"He cleaning up in the back?"
"Yup. Told him he could clean up, grab some food, then crash on the couch. Then we can help him figure out where he wants to stay for good. That was your plan, wasn't it?"
"You're not as clever as you think you are, you know."
"Yes I am." Annie grinned at her father. "Will you make him a plate of short ribs, please?"
With a secretly pleased smile, Eliot disappeared into the back, and Annie flagged down a waitress to get them a couple of waters and some beer.