“Do you think my instincts are good?” I ask him.
“I know they are. I never would have recommended you for Greenlight if I didn’t know you could do it.”
“Thanks. That really means a lot.”
“Call us again soon,” Reagan says. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I end the call and stare at my blank computer screen for a few seconds. Those lucky fuckers are probably going to have sex and watch a movie or something. Weekends are totally made for coupledom.
My work is my life these days. After the encouragement from Jude and Reagan, I’m ready to kick ass and take names again, starting tonight. A real relationship would be nice someday, but it won’t be with a man like Nix, whom I can never be sure I really know.
10
Phoenix
It’s not evennine at night when Coco saunters into the foyer wearing oversized dark sunglasses, a charcoal trench coat, and a fur scarf thrown over her shoulder, announcing her presence. “I’m ready.”
I take a deep breath. She’s become a major pain in my ass ever since I told her I’d teach her my business. “Did you bring your laptop?”
She stops with one foot still in the air, being completely dramatic. “Shit!”
“For the love of…”
“Kidding.” She laughs and tosses her giant purse on the counter, giving it a few pats. “It’s in here, Nix. I remembered.”
“What’s with the clothes? You know you aren’t coming out with me tonight.”
She pulls the round glasses from her face and gives me a lopsided smile. “I know. I just like getting in the mind-set. I’m all underground criminal.”
It takes everything in me not to groan. “Yeah, you don’t stick out or anything.”
She plops down on the stool and pulls it toward the kitchen island, scraping it against the marble floor and making the most god-awful noise. “So what’s my assignment tonight?”
“Learn how to use the internet.” When I push a stack of papers in front of her, she gives me the evil eye. I’m giving her homework filled with questions and basic research that any person who uses search engines every day could fill out quickly. But I know it’ll take Coco a little time to figure it out because it’s not a social media app. It’s a good start on her basic investigation skills and to teach her there’s more to the web than social media.
“Iknowhow to use it. Don’t be silly. I use it every day, in fact.”
I rest my head in my hand and bite back a sigh. “I’m not talking about Instagram and Snapchat. You’re going to do some research.”
She flips through the papers and mumbles, but I catch a few words here and there, and they aren’t pretty. “So this is my homework? You want me to answer all these questions?” There’s a slight snarl on her lips as she shakes the stack in the air.
“Yep. Answer them all before I get home.”
“I never liked homework.”
I lean over and kiss her temple before climbing to my feet. “We all have to start somewhere, sweetheart.”
“I thought your job was interesting.”
“It wasn’t in the beginning.” Shoving my keys and wallet in my pockets, I grab my phone and check the screen. “Just be patient. I promise it’ll be worth it.”
“Fine, Nix. I’ll stay here and do paperwork while you go out, drink, and have fun.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing, Coco.” A text message catches my eye, and I know I can’t stay here and talk anymore. “I’ll be back soon. Prove to me that you can do this simple assignment on your own, and we’ll see about stepping up your training.”
A giant, satisfied smile spreads across her face. “I’m so going to kick this assignment’s ass. You just watch.”
