Page 11 of Head Over Feels
Gregshrugged. “Hesaid it happened while you were working a case when you were with theFBI.That’sall we were told.”Hebrightened. “Hey,Callie’sworking today.Youhaven’t seen her since we had dinner that night.Letme text her to come say hi.”
Iscowled. “I’mnot sure she’s my favorite person.”
Gregsnorted. “Thatwon’t scareCallie.”Hefinished texting and set his phone down. “Ifyou don’t mind telling me, how did it happen?”Hegestured at my leg.
Isighed. “Youknow how in old cop shows the actors would slide across the hood of a car to avoid having to run all the way around it?”Henodded. “Yeah, well, those guys probably checked for oncoming traffic first.”
Gregcringed and sucked in his breath. “Ouch.”
“Yeah.”
Thedoor to the office slammed open.Ijumped in my chair and my hand clamped down where my shoulder holster used to be.Fuck.
Callie,Greg’sniece, skidded inside. “Malcolm!Hey, you’re out of your cast!”AndthenIwas being hugged.Igazed wide-eyed atGregoverCallie’sshoulder, but he just smirked at me.
Aftera long moment,Callielet go.Shehadn’t changed in the three or four months sinceI’dseen her.SheandGreghad similar features, sharp-faced and intelligent, with the same long dark hair.Callie’swas pulled back in a loose ponytail.
“Hey,Callie.How’veyou been?Areyou still in art school?”
Calliebeamed. “Ican’t believe you remember!Yes,I’mgraduating at the end of this semester.Iwant to be a muralist, soI’mgoing to stay working at the pet resort whileIget the word out and line up clients.”
I’dplanned to yankCallie’schain and pretendIwas still salty about the unicorn, butIfoundIcouldn’t rain on her happiness. “That’swonderful.I, uh, know first-hand you’re a great artist.”
Calliesmiled and produced her phone from her back pocket. “Ihave to show you.Igot a job doing a mural for a little girl’s bedroom.Theywanted a mermaid theme, but part of the portfolioIshowed them was photos of the unicorn on your cast.”Sheshoved her phone under my nose.Theblue-green wall sported a mischievous-looking mermaid surrounded by sea creatures and coral.Theartwork style was very reminiscent of my unicorn.
“Wow, that’s impressive.”Itold her, handing her phone back. “Wait, you have photos of my cast?”
“Sure.Weall took them.Didn’tCraigshow you?”
Ishook my head. “Um, would you mind sending them to me?I, um.”Icast about for a rational reason. “Ihave a hard time describing it to people.”Icleared my throat. “Andof courseI’lltry to drum up some business for you ifIcan.”
Calliebeamed at me again.Igave her my number and immediately my phone chimed.Iglanced at the photos to make sure they were whatIwas expecting, and thenIput my phone back in my pocket, pretendingIdidn’t want to look at the unicorn in detail right away.
Calliegrinned. “Craigsaid you were pretty mad when you first saw the unicorn.”
Irolled my eyes. “Itwas the middle of the night andI’djust woken up to go to the bathroom.Iwasn’t really thinking about you drawing on my cast, soIwas... startled whenIsaw it.”
Callieseemed skeptical, soIadmitted, “Okay,Iwas a little mad.Iwouldn’t have chosen a big pink unicorn for myself.”Iheld up a hand. “Buta few days earlierI’daccidentally caused some friction betweenCraigandFoster, so it wasn't the worst prankCraigcould have pulled on me.”
Gregchuckled.HeandCraighad been friends since college, so he had to know what pranksCraigwas capable of.He’dprobably helped with those too.
Craighimself chose that moment to cruise through the doorway. “Hey,Malcolm!Thanksfor coming by.DidIhear my name being dropped?What’dImiss?”
Gregheld up one finger. “Holdup.How’sHoagie?”
Craigdropped his keys on his desk.Ihoped he’d be able to find them later.Hesmiled. “Nota fracture.Onlya soft tissue injury.”
Gregsat back in his chair, exhaling in relief. “Thankfuck.”
“Yeah, his parents met me at the vet and took him home.Itold them we’d call tomorrow and find out how he’s doing.”
Ididn’t know howCraigandGregdid it.Ihad enough to worry about looking after one middle-aged diabetic cat.Icouldn’t imagine being responsible for looking after hundreds of animals at once.
Calliestood up. “Ineed to get back to work.Goodseeing you,Malcolm!”
“Youtoo.Thanksfor the photos.”Shegave me a thumbs up and dashed out through the office door.
“Photos?”Craigasked as he sifted through the crap on his desk.
