“Tell me about it.” Wagner’s eyes meet mine, and now that I’m taking a good look at him, I notice two dark circles underneath them. He wouldn’t have gotten much sleep after a bombshell like that. Explains his extra-foul mood this morning.
“What can I do to help?”
“There’s nothing you can do,” he tuts, his gaze sweeping side to side, deep in thought. “I need to figure out who the mole is.”
“As in, you’re going to hire a professional?”
“Most likely. This is serious. I have to tread carefully. If whoever is doing this gets wind I’m onto them, it’ll ruin my chances of catching them and, more importantly, stopping them from further damaging the business.”
“That really sucks, Wag. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
“Yeah…well… People are shit. Surprise, surprise. How’s everything at the sanctuary going? Apart from spying on your staff, that is.”
I allow the deflection and even the jab at my obsession with Jackson, because it happens to segue neatly into a favor I’ve been meaning to ask him for a while now.
“I’ve come up with an idea to bring in some much-needed money.” When all he does is nod in response, I gently and lovingly encourage him, “This is the part where you ask, ‘How can I help?’ You know, like a good brother and not an asshole.”
He grinds his molars and pins me with a death stare, his voice flat as he grits, “How can I help?”
“Why, I’m so glad you asked.” I double-check to make sure Sammy is still engrossed inPeppa Pigland before asking my big bro, “Can I whore you out to Candice Burlington?”
“What? No. What are you talking about?”
“I know you said you guys are friends, but she’s an attractive lady. You’re…passable. And you’re both single, so, you know…” I mash my fingers against each other.
He glares at me, unimpressed. “Your knowledge of heterosexual relationships is pitiful and crude.”
“I’m just kidding.” Sort of. “I’m thinking of organizing a fundraiser to raise a ton of money and let everyone know the rescue center is back in safe hands. That I’m determined to rebuild it better than it ever was. And Candice is into all that fundraising crap. She’s well-connected. And I know all of this because I met her whenIdidyoua favor and picked Sammy up from his playdate with her kid. But I guess maybe you may have forgotten that since I do look after Sammyall the time. Not to mention what an incredibly forgiving person I am.”
“Forgiving?”
“Yeah. Your balls are still intact, aren’t they?”
“My balls?”
“Yeah. I didn’t punish you for going along with Clancy’s little stunt.”
He tips his chin up and smirks. “Worked, though. Didn’t it?”
“Shut up. But yes, it did.”
“You and not-Michael and also-not-Janet dating yet?”
“Not exactly, but I’m making progress. I’m considering asking if he wants to move in with me while his new cabin gets built.”
Wagner’s eyes swell in surprise, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t need to. I can tell he thinks it’s way too soon for that…and he’s probably right.
Maybe I’ll shelve that idea for now. I’m sure Clancy would love to have Jackson stay with him for a bit. Which reminds me, I’m overdue to pay him a visit.
“Still don’t get why you need to…” He drops his voice, grimacing as he says, “Whore me out.”
“Since I don’t have the faintest clue about organizing a fundraiser, I was thinking of hitting her up for help. I don’t like asking someone I don’t know very well for a favor without being able to offer something to sweeten the deal.”
“And I’m the sweetener?”
“Wag, I would never call you sweet.”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
