Page 9 of Stitch
“Thanks, darlin’, that’s good of you. What do you think?” Has-Been pointed up at the sign, leaning around Rocket, who was up the ladder working.
“It’s beautiful! It looks more like a tattoo than a sign, does that make sense?”
He grinned. “It’s what the lady wanted. She figured she’s inked now, so she wanted the sign to be more inviting to, you know, ruffians like us.”
I giggled. “She really said that?”
“I paraphrased. How did you enjoy the bar last night?”
I shifted my balance, the coffees tilting a little in the process.
“Here, gimme those.” He carried them in for me, and we talked as we walked.
“It was great. I wished I could have let go a bit more, but I had to drive.”
He looked me over, winking at me.
“I’m sure we’d all enjoy watching you let go, girl. You know, you could always sleep over.”
I scrutinised him, trying to see if he was hitting on me, because even a day ago, I’d have probably jumped him, but today? Today I was still caught up thinking about ‘the bastard’.
“You have a spare bed?”
He threw his head back as he laughed.
“Actually, yeah, well, the sofa folds out, but I’d happily let you share my bed. I promise I don’t snore… although I do sleep naked.”
“Stop hitting on my staff.” Lissa swatted his arm as she came out of her office.
“Sorry boss. I’ll get back to work. We should be done in an hour or so, if Rocket hurries his ass up on the section he’s working on.”
“You can’t rush perfection,” we heard Rocket muttering in response, becauseHas-Been had made sure to let his voice carry. He joined his brother outside and got back to work.
“You and Has-Been?” Lissa raised her eyebrows, as she took the coffee I offered. “Thanks, babe. So?”
I made my way around to my desk and sat down, logging into the laptop.
“We were just chatting.”
“About sleeping over?”
I checked the security feeds were all working, as per Ice’s very repetitive instructions, then went on to check the website traffic, and queries to the inbox.
“Ooh we have a few potentials here, babe.”
Lissa came around to check the screen, our conversation forgotten for now, thankfully. We planned responses, and I focused on sending those, while she went back to her office, to fuss with the place.
When the door opened again, I expected it to be the guys updating us on the sign being finished, but it was a slightly familiar looking older man, wearing a club cut.
“Hey, Cammy. I’m Reacher, remember me from last night? I mean, we met for like half a second before you were dragged away from me.” I did remember now he mentioned it, and smiled warmly.
“Who’d forget a powerful man like you, Reacher? Of course, I remember. You need Lissa?”
He nodded. “Does she have some free time?”
I tapped a message out on my screen, and seconds later, Lissa’s door opened again.
“Reacher, this is a lovely surprise, is everything okay?”
