Page 44 of The Closed Off Captain

“Thanks.” I find him in the supply closet.

“Hey, Chloe,” he says when he sees me. “How was your weekend?”

I’m looking at my iPad, pulling up my notes app. “I survived.”

“Rough weekend?”

“You could say that. I had to do engagement pictures.”

“Sounds terrible,” he says dryly.

I finally look up. “Well, it definitely wasn’t my favorite. How was your weekend?” I never have time for chit chat, but I feel like it helps with the people I work with. They’re a little easier to work with when I’m not just showing up and demanding what I need.

“It was good. I went on a date.”

“Did it go well?”

He shrugs. “It was okay. It was somebody I met online. I’m not sure if we’ll go out again. I’m going to give it a day or two then maybe reach back out.”

I absently nod. I’ve never understood the appeal of online dating. With my luck, I’d date a serial killer.Who am I kidding? I don’t have time to date, and that right there is why I’m still single. “Well, I hope it goes well for you.”

He grins. “Me too. If things don’t work out with Gunner, let me know.”

I don’t even respond. He’s asked me out several times over the years, and I always turn him down. We went out once about three years ago, and it was okay. There’s just no chemistry between us. But he’s a nice guy, and I hope he finds somebody really special. “Speaking of Gunner, I’m here to get an update.”

“Well, you’re just in time then.” He nods behind me, and I turn around. The man of the hour stands in the doorway, taking us in. He doesn’t say a word; his eyes just look back and forth between the two of us like he’s working something out.

“Hey, Gunner,” Trent calls out from behind me.

“Trent.”

I walk over to Gunner. “How’s your shoulder?”

“Fine.”

I widen my eyes. “Fine?”

He gives a short nod, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “You’re not fine, obviously; but I’ll wait until I get an official report from Trent.”

“From Trent,” he repeats.

I frown. “Are you okay?”

His scowl deepens. “I’m fine.”

I put my hand up. “Okay. Fine. Trent, when you're ready, his crankiness is ready for you.”

Trent laughs and comes over to the two of us. “Okay, Gunner, let’s look at it and see what we’re dealing with today. The swelling should be down, so we can see what we’re working with.”

“Are you doing x-rays and all that good stuff?” I ask Trent.

He turns to me. “Yeah. It will be a little bit.”

I nod. “Okay, I’ll come back later. I need a report on Zac too.”

“I’ll bring it to your office later,” he says waving me off. “Don’t worry about coming back.”

“Okay, thanks. See you later,” I call out, already back on my iPad.

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