“Yes, well, I didn’t want to interrupt you guys’ fun.” Sure enough, she launches an eyebrow waggle I’m going to smack her for once Knox is out of sight.
“I am indebted to your kindness, Oakley.” Knox lays one arm across his waist and executes a gentlemanly bow.
Oakley snickers. “You’re welcome. Now, if you could set me free, that would be awesome. The temperature up here is on its way down.”
He shrugs out of his coat and I take it from him. “Why don’t you scoot aside, Oakley.”
She does, while Mom flutters and jabbers about Knox hurting himself. Given the task at hand, his broad shoulders, and his solid frame, I can just about assure her that isn’t going to happen.
Firing off cautions, Mom is literally mid-instruction when the box pops into motion and is lowered to the floor. Without a break in stride, she shifts to telling mode, instructing Knox to please carry the bulky thing into the living room, like he’s the hired help or something.
Backing down the ladder, Oakley throws me an over-the-shoulder eyeroll. She folds up the contraption and raises the spring-loaded door. “Tell me about your date, sis.”
“Now?” Knox is two rooms away.
“Of course, now. I want all the deets.”
I plant my hand to my hip. “There would be moredeetsto tell if you hadn’t gotten yourself stuck in the attic.”
Her eyes bug. “He kissed you?”
I pinch my finger and thumb almost to touching. “This close when Mom opened the door.”
“Wow. Moving fast, isn’t he?”
I happen to know she’s got no room to talk.
“Did you learn much about him tonight?”
“Of course. We talked all night.”
“Anything specific?”
I pull my brow down at her tone. “Like what?”
“IDK. Did he tell you anything interesting about himself?” Something indefinable has infiltrated her manner, like she’s pumping for something specific.
Whatever. Oakley is always alone on her own wavelength, so I tell her about the encounter with Mike and the other guy.
“So Knox went all tough guy?” Her blonde hair skims the shoulders of her sweatshirt. “Just because some coworker was drunk?”
“Well, the guy was wearing a jacket with the company logo. Knox says it makes the rest of them look bad.”
Her cheek gets sucked into her teeth. “Still seems awfully proprietary. You know, for a lowly employee and all.”
“Maybe, but he mentioned something about knowing his boss since he was a teenager. I guess after working for the company so long he takes things personally.”
Oakley folds her arms like she’s cold, but also with a hint of attitude. “Who’s his boss?”
“A man named Cliff—who, get this, is dating Marlene.” I wiggle my eyebrows. Marlene’s never ending trail of date-ees is legendary.
Oakley’s follow-up isn’t what I expect. “Knox said this Cliff guy is his boss?”
I have a date waiting for me in the house. “This sure is a lot of questions, Oak. I need to get inside. There’s no telling what Mom is saying to him.”
Her fingers snag my coat’s cuff. “Wait a sec. Did Knox say this guy is his boss or not?”
“Cliff? Yes.” I mentally flip through my memory files. “Well…I think he said it.” I shake my head. “I can’t remember, but it’s obvious. He’s a lot older and has that air about him.”
