“Thanks.” She looks down again. “I’ve always been pretty good at thinking on my feet.”
“I’d like to have all of this on the table for Abu Dhabi and Dubai.” He turns to me. “Are we good to go with it?”
“Definitely.” I gesture to Raquel. “Get with Sandra and work out the wording on separate addendums we can offer as a menu of options.”
She nods and starts to go, but Taron stops her. “I’m heading out early, but you’ll be at the picnic tomorrow?”
“I was planning to be there.” Her voice is soft, and I don’t like the way she’s looking at him. I don’t like this sudden interest he has in her.
“See you then. Not to talk business, of course.” He’s still smiling.
“Okay.” She grins back at him, but her eyes flicker briefly to mine.
That current is back, and again, she blinks away. Interesting.
She’s gone, and Taron is back to smug. “You don’t have to say it. That girl is a kick-ass hire. Ten points to Taron.”
&nb
sp; “What is this? Hogwarts. I said she’s doing a good job.” I turn to my laptop and type up a brief message to Sandra. “You’re leaving early?”
“I can handle my day from my phone. I’m trying to get in some PT.”
That’s a relief to hear. “Any word from Marley?”
“Haven’t seen him.” His expression is grim. “You got him home last night?”
“Yeah. I’ll hang with him today. See you at the lake.”
He limps out, and I rock back in my chair, thinking about lines and crossing them.
“We need more techno in this town.” Marley leans back in the square leather chair. “I miss going to raves.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what you need to do now.” I tilt the tumbler of whiskey back and forth.
We’re at a self-proclaimed “world famous lounge,” and I’m tired from last night. Still, I’m not going to let him out of my sight. A tall, leggy blonde in a filmy green dress leans on the wooden table between us. “What’s up with you tonight, soldier?”
My eyes squint. “You going to let her call you that?”
“Halle can call me whatever she wants.” He slides both hands along her hips, and she grins at me.
“I have a friend around here somewhere.”
“No, thanks.” Girls like her always seem to be hanging around, looking to hook up. In places like this, they’re often groupies hoping for a celebrity sighting, but a couple of well-heeled businessmen will suffice.
“I’ve got something for you.” She stands, and he follows her to the restroom.
My jaw tightens, but I’ll wait. Wherever he goes tonight I’m on duty, and I’ll be sure he sleeps in his own bed. I don’t care if a woman is in there with him, but he’s going home tonight.
A few minutes later, they’re back. Marley’s sniffing, and I’m sure they both did a line in the bathroom. “The new Morgan girl is pretty.” His eyes are glassy, and Halle sits on his lap.
“She’s pretty smart, too.” The waitress brings me a fresh drink I didn’t order. One’s my limit tonight, and I move it aside.
Halle’s friend walks to the table, picking it up and taking a sip. “Hey, sailor.”
She has bright red hair, and I don’t bother correcting her. I’m distracted by memories of a smart, pretty woman I almost kissed last night. I push against these thoughts. As tempting as Raquel is to me, I have to keep it professional.
“That tube top should be illegal.” Marley’s voice cuts through the noise of the bar. “Sit that fire crotch down by me.” The girl makes a loud noise of annoyance, but he keeps going. “Do the drapes match the carpet?”