I shrug, but I’m feeling pretty damn good about myself.“Just doing my job.”
“No, seriously.”Iris wipes her hands before running them through her hair, looking more animated than she has in days.“Rogan’s reputation alone will legitimize everything.The board will eat this up.”
“That’s the plan.”I check my watch.“It’s getting late.You should also go home.”
Iris smiles.“Yeah.”
Jake steps forward, tossing the used napkins into the trash.“I’ll drop you home,” he offers casually, but there’s nothing casual about the way he’s looking at her.“I’m heading that direction anyway,” Jake adds, his tone innocent as hell.
I glance between them, noting the slight flush still coloring Iris’s cheeks, the way Jake’s standing just a little too close.“Really?How convenient.”
Iris looks between us, clearly flustered.“I can get a cab?—”
“Nonsense.”Jake’s already grabbing her coat from the back of her chair.“Come on.You look dead on your feet.”I watch this little dance with growing suspicion.Jake might be smooth, but I know him too well.The way he’s hovering around Iris, making excuses to check on her...
“I’ll just grab my purse,” Iris says, heading back to her desk.
The moment she’s out of earshot, I step closer to Jake.“You seem pretty interested in making sure she gets home safe.”
His grin doesn’t waver.“Just being a gentleman.”
“Right.That’s what worries me.”
“Relax,” he says quietly.“I’m not going to blow your cover.”
Iris returns with her purse, and Jake’s expression shifts back to casual friendliness.“Ready?”
I shake my head and walk back to the break room.Eve’s exactly where I left her, curled up on the couch like she owns it.Her hair has fallen across her face, and she’s making these little huffing sounds in her sleep.
“Eve.”I shake her shoulder gently.“Come on, Sleeping Beauty.Time to go.”
She swats at my hand without opening her eyes.“Five more minutes.”
“It’s after midnight.You need a real bed.”
“This is fine,” she mumbles, burrowing deeper into the couch cushions.I roll my eyes and scoop her up again.This time she protests, sort of.
“Put me down, Wilder.I can walk.”
“Sure you can.”I can’t help but smile indulgently down at her.In her sleep, she’s more innocent, cute almost.She’s not struggling too hard, and her arms automatically wind around my neck.“My car’s in the garage.”
“I drove myself,” she says against my shoulder.
“You’re in no condition to drive.I’ll bring you back for your car tomorrow.”
She’s quiet until we reach the parking garage, then she dozes against the passenger window while I navigate the empty streets toward her place.I’m two blocks from her apartment when I feel it: the telltale wobble of a flat tire.
“Shit.”
Eve opens her eyes.“What’s wrong?”
The car lurches as the front tire gives out completely.I manage to pull over to the curb, but there’s no way I’m driving any further tonight.
“Flat tire,” I mutter, turning off the engine.
Eve sits up, looking around at the empty street.“Can you change it?”
“Not at one in the morning on a city street.”I scrub my hands over my face.
