Patrick:Did you catch that?
“The media showcase,” Sam said. “For the Turlan project?”
I nodded, and motioned for him to keep talking. “Yeah, can you run that by me one more time?”
Patrick:Are you ok?
Patrick:You seem a little out of it
Shannon:Tired. Jet lag.
Patrick:How was California?
Shannon:Really, really good
Sam’s lips twitched as he fought back a smirk. “The Turlans’ publicist called me last week, and wanted to finalize details for the open house event they’re doing in January. I’m just checking that you’re still good with the date, and them handling all the arrangements.”
“Yeah, there’s no reason for us to take on any of that,” I said. “We’re down to the punch list on that property, right?”
“Yeah,” Sam said slowly. “We were just talking about that. Riley went through all the remaining items.”
Shannon:How was Korean bbq and pub crawling?
Patrick:What you’re asking me is: How’s Erin? Did Erin mention if she’s ever coming home for more than a weekend? Did Erin discuss whether she’s ready to end the war of silence?
Patrick:And the answer to all that is no because she didn’t get here. There was a blizzard and her flight was cancelled.
“And I didn’t pay attention the first time, so you’re going to need to run it again,” I said, pointing my pen at Riley.
He rolled his eyes. “Fine, but I need some sustenance,” he said. He reached into his backpack, retrieving a spoon, a bag of hard-boiled eggs, and a jar of spicy pickle-and-onion relish.
“Riley,” I said, my hand pressed to my neck. “Don’t.”
Then he unzipped the bag, and that thick, sulfuric scent swept across the table. The relish was next. “What?” he asked, his eyes glittering with the joy of behaving badly.
“Riley,” I repeated.
“Dude,” Matt groaned. “Don’t be such a douche nozzle.”
Riley selected an egg, scooped relish over it while smirking like the fucking sociopath he was, and popped the entire thing in his mouth. We sat there, staring, as he demolished six eggs and half the jar of relish.
“Motherfuck,” Sam murmured. “Okay, Shan, I’m sending you the punch list report, and now we need to open some windows or maybe burn the building down.”
“You win, RISD,” I said, my hand pressed to my mouth. “You win. I’m never bringing yogurt up here again, and I don’t think I’ll be challenging you to a war of wills either. Now put this shit away, zip your goddamn pants, and get to work.”
He pumped his fists in the air, a triumphant smile on his face. “It’s because I’m the hero Gotham deserves.”
*
Will:I had an idea
Shannon:First time for everything
Will:You’re getting spanked tonight
Shannon:Was that your idea?
Will:No
