“Yeah, I know.” He throws another Manila folder in the trash. “But between taking on new cases, sorting new cases, and working on cases, when the hell do I have time?”
“We can make the new guy do it.” What else does Spencer have going on when he’s sitting at the bakery drinking coffee and eating donuts?
Ridge responds but I don’t catch it over the loud jingle my phone sings out in my back pocket. Even though I have full faith in Spencer to keep the girls safe, I don’t waste any time answering it. Katy was there after all.
ANESSA: I’m ready to go. Katy is getting sappy.
With a quick check to my watch I see that Anessa was only at the bakery for about forty-five minutes.
“What are you smiling about?” Ridge leans across the desk examining me.
“Nothing. I have to pick up Anessa.”
“Yes, please leave. Leave me with all these cases to work through. I’ll make sure you get the best of the selection,” he says with complete sarcasm. “It’s mostly a day off anyway.”
I stand and get ready to leave, even if it means I’ll be chasing our low-ranking bond jumpers for the next month. “See you Monday.”
I don’t wait for Ridge to reply and leave his secret office without another word. If I hurry up and get Anessa back to my house, there’s a possibility we’ll a few minutes alone before Dolores and Liam return from visiting the ice cream shop and playground.
**
“I can’t believe you’re making her leave. We are bonding.” Katy shuts the door on the bakery case and passes over the donut in the ridiculous pink bags Anessa serves her food in. She’d probably sell more doughnuts if we men didn’t have to walk around with pink shit every time we left her store.
Anessa smirks, the right side of her smile higher than the left. I don’t think she’s aware that she does it, but every time it happens I’m reminded me of our day at the fort. She makes the same face in sarcasm as she does when she’s gazing up at the sky in post-sex contentment. I’d much rather see her that way than responding to Katy.
“Katy, that was not bonding. It’s you telling us all the ways you plan to get back at Pierce.”
“He took out additional insurance on the house I live in because he’s scared something will happen to it.”
I swallow back a laugh. It might not be such a bad idea for Pierce. Every once in a while he makes a sound business decision.
“Where are you guys going?” Katy asks as Tabitha rings up a customer.
Neither Anessa nor I answer.
Tabitha turns back from the register. “Are you two going upstairs?” She winks twice.
“No!” Anessa beats me to it, her horrified look slightly disturbing. I would take her upstairs.
I would just prefer to do what I have planned for her in the comfort of my home.
“No, but I do need to grab the spoon before we leave.”
Anessa’s mouth drops open making me smile. She knows exactly what I have planned.
“The spoon?” Katy asks.
I lean casually against the wall. “Yeah, I have stirring planned for tonight.”
“Okay, okay,” Anessa says pushing on my chest to get me toward the kitchen. “We are going to go. You guys have it all under control. Call me if you need anything.”
She successfully pushes me through the swinging kitchen doors. “I’m going. I’m going,” I say laughing the entire time.
“I can’t believe you said that. You know when I get back they’re never gonna stop questioning me.”
“I thought girls love to get together and talk about men and your sexual conquests? If you let me I can make it so you have lots of stories to share tomorrow morning.”
She laughs, swatting me on the shoulder. “I bet you could.”
