“Not a chance. Here. Bring this over to Neil’s desk. He’s taking this one.”
“Why are you throwing a case to that buffoon? I can toe the line while you’re out.”
“I know you can, but the client’s an asshole, and he’s the one whocheated on his wife. Justin gave me the intel this morning. I’m glad we didn’t waste a lot of time on it.”
“Ah. I’ll drop it off then.”
“Thanks.”
Warren shuts the door, and I sigh in relief. I hate it when my time is wasted on lying pieces of shit. The irony is, I’m a lying piece of shit at the moment. I just hope my good intentions counter the bad.
My phone pings with an incoming text, followed by three more before I have a chance to grab it. What the hell? Quickly wrapping up the email I’m working on, I reach for it to see what the emergency is.
Eli: Need a guys’ night. Babies are more full-time than my job. Who’s in for Saturday?
Sebastian: You’re telling me. I’m in.
Jackson: In.
Justin: Count me in.
Braden: I’ll be in Bozeman. Catch you next time.
Jackson: I thought that was last weekend…
Braden: It was. I’m going back.
Jackson: Oh fuck, welcome to the club, man.
Braden: What club?
Sebastian: The pussy whipped one.
Eli: Thanks for warning me, fucker. I better not be doing damage control.
Justin: Did you tell her you’re coming this time?
Braden: That would ruin the surprise.
Justin: Call me when you’re arrested for stalking, and I’ll see what I can do to bail you out.
Braden: You’re all a bunch of assholes.
Eli: Dinner next week. You can fill us in.
Braden: Decide which day on Saturday and let me know.
That should be a fun dinner—about as fun as a trip to the dentist.
The following two days drag on as I impatiently wait to be with Poppy again. The evenings have been my saving grace when I can talk with her. I’ve refrained from texting her during the day because once I start, my hand itches to grab my phone the rest of the afternoon, as experienced on Monday.
The plane is rolling into the gate Friday evening when I text her.
Braden: Happy Friday. Any plans tonight?
Poppy: Just dinner with Matt. Probably won’t be out too late if you want to read after?
Braden: Are you sure that’s what you’re asking for, Mouse? Don’t be shy.
