Page 34 of Red King

“He has a Communications Liaison Manager. You should have seen the look Cathy gave me. She’s not happy at all.” I groan. “Why does it have to be so complicated?”

“It really isn’t. Cathy didn’t step up; you did. You should take the position on a probationary period. Probation periods can work both ways, by the way. If you don’t like it, then don’t do it, but at least you will have given it a try.”

I nod a few times.

“You don’t look convinced.”

“I’m not. It’s clear they could do with my help, though.” I take a sip of coffee. It really is delicious. Maggie wasn’t exaggerating.

“Especially after what happened to poor…” She lifts her eyes.

“Lauren,” I offer.

“That’s right… To poor Lauren. If only they’d listened to you in the first place.”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. Although, you’re right…that was unfortunate. I’m talking about the itinerary. You can see that it was put together by a clueless man…shifter…whatever. You know what I mean. I can’t believe Cathy hasn’t questioned one or two of these activities.”

“What’s on it?”

“Whitewater rafting.”

Maggie chokes out a laugh. “Really?”

I nod. “And abseiling.”

“As in down cliffs and shit?” She laughs again.

I lift my brows and nod.

“They need you, babe. You have to help them.”

“I mean, there’s some good stuff on here, too. Maybe I can talk to Cathy about it. Get her take and see where her mind is at. Perhaps she is a little afraid of rocking the boat. Maybe this is the push she needs.”

“Maybe,” Maggie says.

“I’ll point out that a couple of the activities might not work. They have a hike planned for tomorrow afternoon. A hike.” I make a face. “No one has been properly introduced yet. It’s an hour-long, moderately difficult walk to the beach and then a picnic once there. Firstly, Lauren wouldn’t be able to join them at all, because the area is not accessible by car. She would need to be taken by a dragon. Can you imagine that? I asked Thorn, and that was his solution.”

Maggie starts laughing. “The solution was to take a woman so petrified by dragons she hurt herself running away in a mad panic. To take her by means of dragon transport. Where would she even sit?”

I shrug. “I didn’t get that far in the conversation. I stopped him there. Lauren will not feel comfortable catching a ride on a freaking dragon. Neither would I, for that matter.”

“It wouldn’t work.” Maggie shakes her head.

“Nope.” I sigh.

Maggie looks at her watch. “I hate to cut our fun short, but I need to get back to work.” She scrunches up the wrapper that held her sandwich and tosses it into the trash. “I really hope you take the position. You would be amazing at it. As Arctic said, it would just be part-time while they figure things out. Cathy will get over herself. I think it’s a good idea if you chat to her first.”

I nod. “I will. And I like the idea of a probation period. It’s a good one.”

“I’m full of them.” Maggie winks at me.

I look at my own watch. “I’d better hurry. Doc du Pont is expecting me back in ten minutes.” The thought of going back to the clinic leaves me cold. We’ve done everything there is to do. So far, Lauren has been our only patient. I’m bored to tears. Maybe something like this is what I need.

I just don’t know.

“See you later,” Maggie says. “I want to hear some good news, and then we’re having a glass of wine to celebrate.”

“I thought you had a date.”

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