Page 11 of High Side
“I am. I have eaten so much pizza I might explode. That is some amazing crust.”
“Yes. It’s like the best of both worlds. Deep dish around the edge, thin crust on the bottom.” Kylie clicked their cups together. “I’m glad you came out tonight.”
“Thanks for the invitation. It’s tough being the new girl, you know?”
“Oh, you’re doing fine. I can tell you’ve got this meeting people thing down.” Kylie gave her a once-over that was full of admiration.
“I’m okay at it, but it gets harder every time I move.”
“I hear you. That’s why I’m the one who stays now. Among other reasons.” Kylie rolled her eyes, making Brit wonder what that was about. She wasn’t going to poke too much, though, and ruin the mood.
“It seems like a good spot. And M&M are good folks.”
“The best.”
Kylie sounded so sure, so absolutely firm. She’d never met a guide that didn’t flit around from place to place. Not even the older ones. Hell, they were more likely to move around, in fact, because there were so many young guides willing to compete with them.
Not that Kylie was aging out. She was strong as an ox, skilled, and enthusiastic. And the woman could pull herself through the water like a goddamn mermaid.
“I’m looking forward to the summer,” Brittany finally said, going for neutral.
“Me too.” Kylie gave her a long look. “So, you want to go bubble in the hot tub and leave these heathens here?”
“God yes.” Brittany glanced at Jillian. “Do we need to give her a ride?”
“Joe will get her back.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go.” She was totally in, even if it just meant getting to know Kylie better.
“Cool.” Kylie put a twenty on the table, and she did the same.
Joe gave them both a thumbs up, his eagle eye not missing much, so she figured that way no one would say that they hadn’t paid their share.
“Hey, Ky!” A server stopped them on their way out. “Take this pie with you, huh? Someone called in to say they weren’t coming to pick it up, and I know you like pepperoni and green chile.”
“Dude, thanks, Paul.” She clapped the guy on the back and grabbed the box as they walked out.
“Man, they like you here.”
“I send a lot of business their way.”
“Oh, I bet. Do they do coupons at the M&M front desk or something?” She’d worked at more than one place that worked that way.
“They do a discount for our clients, yeah. Like a package that comes with coupons.”
“I can see that.” It could be controlled that way. “Man, I am stuffed.”
“Yeah, but I know at like, two a.m. I’ll be munching on this pizza.”
“Be careful or I’ll be knocking on your door.”
“I wouldn’t say no, but it might be better if I leave you half when I head home.” Kylie led the way outside.
“Bummer.” She chuckled softly, trying to prove that she was just joking.
“Mmm. At some point you’ll have to come up to my place for a cookout. I make a mean steak. Or a turkey burger if red meat is an issue.”
“Nope. I am an omnivore.” She would murder a steak.
