Page 8 of The Exception

She turned around so she was fully facing him and her scowl defrosted a smidge. “Thatwasvery unprofessional.”

“It was.”

“So is flirting with the staff.”

“I—”Don’t argue, Trav.“Noted. Won’t happen again.”

“You can stay today, but I haven’t made up my mind.”

“Understood.”

“And if I do let you stay, it will be like you said. To make your life miserable.” Her eyes dropped down his chest, then back up. “Put away your stuff and meet me on the floor.”

She marched off and his breath escaped in a whoosh. He’d almost lost this opportunity before he’d even begun.

Six

Trav grinned when his buddy Mike’s smirking face appeared on his laptop screen. When Tif suggested they set up a video chat, he’d been a little skeptical. Video calls were for couples, not for hanging out with your boys. Still, he’d agreed because no one argued with Tif. Ever.

“Hey, man,” he greeted.

Mike frowned and scratched at his neat beard. “Oh God. Now I remember why I didn’t want to do this video chat thing. Seeing your ugly mug is a definite con.”

Any doubts Trav had about the video call went out the window and he laughed. “You know you miss waking up next to this face every morning.”

“Oh yeah, about as much as I miss having sand in my ass crack.”

A petite woman with dark hair in springy coils stepped into view behind Mike with a roly-poly toddler perched on her hip.

“Language! You know your daughter is starting to pick up words,” she scolded. “Oh, hey, Trav!”

“Hey, Tif. Thanks again for the food. Everything was delicious, especially the mac and cheese.”

Tif’s smile took over her face. “Oh, you’re welcome, Trav. Couldn’t have you moving in with nothing to eat and nothing to cook.”

Mike and Tif had toured Trav’s condo for him while he was still in North Carolina, debriefing. Then he’d taken a trip to Pearl Harbor to visit an old high school buddy who was stationed there in the Navy. The first time he’d laid eyes on his new home was when he showed up with his duffle and the clothes on his back. He hadn’t cared much about the amenities as long as the place was in decent shape, but Mike had done better than decent. As far as buying a place sight unseen went, Trav had lucked out.

He looked around at the open concept and shiny hardwood floors. It would be even better once he had a chance to furnish the place.

“I appreciate it,” he told her sincerely. “And I owe you a meal or two when I see you.”

“Are you taking requests, because that chipotle chicken you make is bomb.”

“Done,” he agreed. That dish was one of his favorites too, and he made a mental note to get the ingredients so he could make it for meal prep next week.

There was a bit of a commotion as a little boy wearing Spider-Man pajamas came zooming out of the hallway around Tif, planting himself on Mike’s lap. He grinned and waved at the camera.

“Hi, Uncle Trav!”

“Hey, Ryan! What’s happening?”

“I lost a tooth, see?” The six-year-old smiled at the camera revealing a gap where one of his front teeth should’ve been.

“Wow, buddy! Did it hurt?”

Ryan shook his head. “I was brave when daddy pulled it out with his fingers.”

“Good job, bud! What did you do with the tooth?”

---