Page 66 of Night So Silent
“Yes, it would require significant growth to meet their needs.”
“This is—” She pauses, then lowers her voice. “This is like yourbig break!”
“Possibly,” I nod. “But I will deal with it next week. Tonight is for you.”
“Andyou.” She gives my arm a squeeze. “Honestly, everything has been wonderful so far, but I think I’m more excited about spending two weeks in Thailand with you afterwards. And something tells me that you are, too.”
By now, Barrett knows me better than anyone. And after two solid months of holidays and parties, culminating in a wedding, she knows I’m looking forward to a honeymoon that only includes me, her, secluded beaches, and local food tours.
A familiar voice calls my name and I look over my shoulder to see Lutz, Brett, Barrera, and Dallas sitting at the table directly behind Barrett. Dallas is motioning for us to sit down at two empty seats across the table.
“Do you like our Halloween-in-December theme?” Brett asks, motioning to her strawberry blonde ringlets and her emerald dress that shows off her ever-growing baby bump.
“Halloween?” I ask, pulling a chair out for Barrett before taking the seat next to her.
“The Sanderson Sisters.” Dallas motions to Brett. “Winifred in green with red hair.” Then she strikes a pose. “Sarah in purple, sans the blonde hair.” Finally, she extends her hand to Barrett. “And Mary in red with dark hair. You know us, we keep it spooky regardless of the holiday. Ghosts of Christmas Presents or whatever.”
At that, Barrett gasps and whips around with excitement. “Speaking of presents, tell them the news.”
“Are you telling ghost stories over here?”
Before I can respond, I feel a hand on my shoulder and glance up to see a young blonde woman in a short black sequined dress standing next to me. Astrid Avery greets Brett with a cheerful wave and then turns back to Dallas.
“I thought this was Christmas-themed. Did you switch it up last minute?”
“You’re dressed in black,” Dallas shrugs. “It still works!”
“I do love a good costume party.” Astrid takes a sip from her champagne flute and smooths her long hair over her shoulder.
Barrett leans over, weaving her fingers through mine. “You don’t have to deal with it until next week, but you should still share the good news.”
“What good news? Is your mom flying down early?” Brett asks, taking a sip of her mocktail. “Can she come over and make more of those cabbage rolls? I made room in the freezer.”
“She’s not,” I smile, “but if you ask her at the wedding, I’m sure she’ll move into your house to stock your larders before number three arrives.”
“That would be amazing, now that I’ve spent enough time with her to know that she doesn’t hate my guts. She’s kind of like Russ Halsey.” Brett nods to Barrett. “You think he’s going to make you dig your own grave until he cracks a dad joke.”
Barrett gives my hand a squeeze. “Russ Halsey thrives on fear, so of course Sergei became his favorite person about five minutes later.”
“Well, Sergei’s mom can scare the hell out of me all she wants as long as she makes those rolls with the chocolate ganache inside them,” Dallas chimes in. “Which, by the way, I made sure to get thegoodchocolate for the fountain over there. None of that Hershey’s shit.”
Astrid leans over my shoulder and sets her empty glass down on the table. “Well, tell your momthat she’s more than welcome to visit you in Germany and get somerealchocolate while you’re there.”
“Germany?” Dallas asks.
I pause, glancing at Barrett, who looks blindsided by Astrid’s comment. I suppose I have to address Avery’s proposal now.
I clear my throat. “Avery just informed me that they want to contract exclusively with Volk, which includes providing coverage for their international facilities.”
“Where?” Barrera asks.
“South Korea and the Middle East as well as their North American and European locations. I don’t have all the details yet, but there will be much work to be done.”
“Talk about luck,” Lutz shoots me a devious glance. “If you’re setting up shop in one of Avery’s Middle Eastern facilities, Alex here is your man.”
“Absolutely not!” Dallas snaps at her brother. “You can fuck right the hell off with that kind of talk!”
“She’s right, Colson,” Brett looks up at him from her place inside his arm. “Think about it. As it is, you and Alex can barely live without each other for 48 hours. And what would Aiden and Mason do?”
