Page 36 of All We Need

Tilting his head, he stares at me condescendingly. “Youask for it sometimes.”

“You’re not helping.”Igo to turn, but he clasps my elbow. “Ireally do agree with you.Shedoesn’t belong here, but?—”

“Not with the buts.”Myarms flop at my sides. “Youlove buts.”

“My butt!”Johannashouts from the front.

“Buttout,”Icall right asPatrickwhistles his agreement.

Barf.

“AsIwas saying…”Iroll my eyes at his patronizing tone. “Ourplan worked.Wesmoked her out.Thisis what we wanted, so we need to deal with the repercussions.Let’suse her surprise visit to our advantage.Convinceher to funnel some more money into the overheads.Jo’sbeen desperate to replace thislousy old thing.”Hekicks the dishwasher with the toe of his boot.

“And how are we going to do that, oh wise one?”

“By making her feel welcome.Involved.Partof the team.”

I frown. “I’drather stick my testicles into a blender.”

“You talk about your balls too much.”

“They’re pretty.”

“You’re changing the subject.”Heflicks me between the eyes. “Don’tbe pigheaded because of a bad first impression.Shethinks you’re defiant.Proveto her that you’re the dedicated, hands-on head chef we know you are.Reallyshow her.”

My mouth hangs open, ready to argue, whenIpause.Seeingmy reaction,Patricknods, eyes widening slowly.

“Wait…are you giving me permission to be a pain in her ass?”Iask incredulously.

In a flash, his expression reverts to passive. “Ihave no idea what you’re talking about.”

He absolutely does.I’mstunned.Then, a lightbulbdingsabove my head.

“If anyone asks, this conversation didn’t happen.”Islap him on the shoulder. “Catchyou later,Ihave to see a man about a lobster.”

“That doesn’t even make sense, you tool.”

“Of course it does.”Ithrow my arms up, gesturing to the brick walls of the tiny room we’re hiding in. “ThisisOurPlace.”

Leaving him to bask in my witty words,Idecide to catch up on work at home and head down toward the bay.

I left my beanie at my mom’s, and the snappy winds nip at my ears, making them ache.Withmy head down, collar tucked up high, and sneakers slapping against the compact snow,Imake it back in record time.

The internet around here is dire, and when my cell connects with theWi-Fi, a weather warning notification flashes on my screen.Thethreat of a big snowstorm heading our wayis the last thingIneed.Hopefully, it’ll pass beforeChristmas—which is one week away—but as a precaution,IdropDexa text.

Booth:Pleasetell meTheNookis free?Idon’t fancy seeing out this storm in the boathouse.

Dex is one of the most talented carpentersI’veever met.Areal master of the trade.Aftera summer job at the local lumberyard, he found his passion.Now, he owns several wood cabins across the state; all of which he built himself.TheNookwas his first major project.It’smostly for family and friends, so he doesn’t rent it out unless tourist season is at its peak.Myhouse is well insulated, but with it sitting in the middle of the bay, there’s always a risk of strong winds blowing out a window or losing power.

Dex: You’re in luck. I’ve reserved it from the 20th through to Christmas Eve for you. No orgies.

Booth: That was one time.

Dex: Gross. How are things with Big Boss?

“Pfft, she wishes.”Myfingers stab furiously at the screen.

Booth: We’re meeting for coffee tomorrow. A bit of bonding.

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