Page 13 of Pick Me
“But the updates Gage is doing will improve yields and save money in the long term,” Webb interrupted.
“No, I know, but—”
“I look at Gage and see someone young and ambitious, just like you were. His professors say he’s smart and reliable, he just needs room to run. I like him, Knox. He fits. He brings an energy to the place—or at least he does when you’re not side-eyeing him and putting him down. Give the guy a chance, would you? Just… be friendly. The last thing I want is for him to walk out before he finishes the work because you’re being an asshole. Thatwouldbe expensive.”
“Yeah.” I rolled my lips together. “You’re right.”
“I’m not saying you have to be besties.” He snorted. “I mean, he’s half your age.”
“Right.”
“He’s almost the same age as Porter.”
“Yep.”
“Your driver’s license is older than this guy.” Webb snickered. “You probably lost your virginity before he even—”
“Yes! Yes, thank you, Webb, I’m aware of how ages work.”
“Just sayin’, I know you won’t be friends, but you can be friendly. And if he’s in your space too much, move back into the farmhouse.”
God, wouldn’t that be great? The icing on the failure cake. “Sure. Maybe you and I can sleep in bunk beds like we used to.”
Webb snorted. “No way. You snore.”
Not anymore, I didn’t. These days I didn’t sleep long enough to snore.
“Hey, you guys.” Hawk slid onto the bench beside me in a fluid motion, still wearing his Panini Jack’s T-shirt and half apron, knocking into my hip. The Brother Code compelled me to shove his head until he squawked. “Nice of you to let me know you were here. D’you order yet?”
“I figured you’d find us when it was time for your break.” Webb grinned. “And no.”
“What’s good?” I demanded.
“Panini of the day. Havarti and apple with honey mustard. Smells delicious, and I’ve been dying for one all day. I might even have two,” Hawk said.
“Done.” I closed my menu. “I’ll have the same.”
But the two sandwiches comment had made me think of Goodman, who’d been heating a burrito when I’d left the office at noon, and that made me say acerbically, “Webb’s such a softie I bet he’ll be getting his favorite employee a couple, also. Pretty sure Goodman only had two breakfasts and elevenses before lunch. He’ll be wasting away.”
“You know what?” Webb said challengingly. “Maybe I will. And I’ll tell him it was my idea, ’cause I’m a great boss.”
“He wouldn’t believe you if you said it was Knox’s idea.” Hawk’s voice was amused but also faintly disapproving. “Don’t know why you don’t like him, Knox.”
“Exactly what I was saying before you sat down,” Webb agreed.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like him!” I said, exasperated. “Do we have to talk about him constantly? For fuck’s sake.”
“You brought him up,” Hawk reminded me, and the worst part was that he was right.
Motherfucker.
“Gage is great,” he went on stoutly. “Stop being a dick to him, okay?”
I blinked at Hawk for a second. He and Goodman were nearly the same age. It would probably make sense if Hawk had a crush on him. And maybe Goodman… My mind stuttered out before completing the thought.
“Okaaaaay?” Hawk said again. He tried to make this sound like a warning, and his thin arms were folded over his chest, but as the smallest, slightest Sunday, this made him look about as menacing as a Keebler elf at cookie time.
“Down, boy. Yes, fine, whatever. I’ll be nice,” I assured him with an eye roll.
