Page 16 of The Other Guy

“How was your first time in the ring?”

“What makes you think that was my first time? I’m an old pro.”

I cock an eyebrow at her and she bursts out laughing. “Okay, okay. You’re right. It was my first. But it was super fun. I could totally see myself getting into it.”

“If you focus, yes.”

“Hey! I can’t help it. I have a lot of energy!”

I chuckle and shake my head, taking another drink of water. “So what are you up to the rest of the day?”

“Why? Want me to teach a couple classes?”

“Hell no.”

Sierra sighs. “Damn. I really thought I had a new career path going for me.”

“Right. Well, let’s think of other ideas, maybe.”

“I was kind of hoping to see what you were up to.”

I look around the room, spinning my finger around slowly. “I kind of thought that was obvious. I’m working?”

“But you own it. Can’t you blow off work for a day and have someone else help people punch each other? I’m bored!”

“I was right. You’re definitely worse than a toddler.”

“When did you say that?”

“I thought it.”

“Oh. Yeah, probably.”

“How old are you, anyway?”

“Why?”

“Curious.”

She smiles. “I knew you liked me. I’m twenty-seven.”

“With the mentality of a seventeen-year-old?”

“Yup. That’s what makes me so fun.”

Groaning, I stand up and hope to usher her out of my office so I can get some work done but she’s digging her heels in as I’m trying to move her which makes me think she wasn’t joking when she asked me to blow off work for the day.

“Come on, Jack. Let’s go do something. Imagine the trouble I can get into if I’m left unsupervised. You wouldn’t want to be held responsible for that kind of mayhem, would you?”

“You aren’t going to give up, are you?”

“Not likely.”

I sigh, resigned. “Let me check with Neil to make sure he’ll be here if I need him.”

“Who’s Neil?”

“Kind of my manager.”

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