Page 31 of The Lineman

I smirked. “She once bluffed her way through an entire game with a disastrous hand just to see how long she could make Matty panic.”

Mike laughed, full and bright, and I liked the way he didn’t hold back. Some people laughed politely. Mike laughed like he meant it, like every part of him depended on feeling it in his toes.

“That’s evil,” he said, shaking his head. “Now Ihaveto meet her.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “You planning to face the friend test already?”

Mike tilted his head, amused. “And if I was?”

“Then I’d tell you it’s not easy.”

Mike watched me over the rim of his glass. “I think I could handle it.”

I didn’t know what it was about the way he said it, but I believed him.

Without thinking, I glanced at my watch.

“Have another date?” Mike quipped.

Dinner had gone too fast. I wasn’t the type to linger after meals. I liked routine, structure. I had a schedule, and it didn’t include getting distracted by a smartass English teacher.

And yet, I wasn’t moving.

I sat there, still watching the way Mike’s hands moved when he talked, still enjoying the way he argued over stupid things just to keep the conversation going.

“No,” I said. “Just checking. I have an early shift in the morning.”

Mike nodded, as though he’d expected as much.

“You know,” he said, pointing at me with his last slice of pizza, “you’re a lot less grumpy than I expected.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he said, smirking. “I thought you were gonna be one of those strong, silent types who only speaks in one-word answers and intimidates people for fun.”

“And what do you think now?”

He pretended to think. “You’re still a little grumpy.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re a menace.”

“Thank you,” Mike said, grinning. Then his gaze flicked to the clock. His smile faltered. “Oh, shit. I didn’t realize how late it was, and you just said you have to be up early.”

I sighed, reluctantly nodding. “Yeah. Gotta be at work by four.”

Mike made a horrified face. “Four? As in four o’clock in the morning?”

I nodded. “Hazard of the job.”

“Elliot.” Mike leaned forward. “That is a crime against humanity. That’s unholy. That’s—”

“How electricity works.”

He sighed dramatically. “You should be cherished for your sacrifices.”

I huffed a laugh, standing up. “And yet, I’m just a humble man, doing my duty.”

Mike grinned and stood, grabbing our empty plates and stacking them. As I watched him, I realized I didn’t actually want to leave.

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