“You want me to leave you alone?” Her voice dropped with concern. “Sorry, I know I interrupted your brooding sesh out here.”
“My brooding sesh?”
“Yeah, you know, sitting out here in the dark, alone, thinking deep thoughts. Pondering the universe. Whatever you were doing.”
“I was just takin’ a break from the noise inside.”
“You said you had stuff on your mind,” she countered.
“It’s not a big deal. Happy for the company.”
“Oh good,” she said with a sigh. “I really didn’t want to go back in there.”
“Why are you hidin’ out?”
“Truth?”
“Always.”
“I got fired from my job today,” she said with a wince.
“No fuckin’ way.”
She let out a chirp of laughter. “Thanks for that.”
“Why the hell would anyone fireyou?”
“You’re good for my ego,” she said, bumping her shoulder against mine again. “They fired me because I wouldn’t do shady shit for them.”
“What? Fuck them.”
“That’s what Gray said.”
“Not surprised.”
“It just sucks,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve never been fired before.”
Yeah, I could see that. Harper was one of those people who you just knew was responsible. The type of person you’d ask to take care of your house when you were on vacation, because you knew she’d go the extra mile. She’d play with your cat, fertilize your house plants, and leave sticky notes on your mail so you knew which day it had arrived.
“Sounds like a good thing,” I replied. “If they were askin’ you to do shit you weren’t comfortable with.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said, frowning. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do now. I’ve always been working towardsomething, you know? It feels pretty freaking weird to just be…floating.”
“It’s been less than a day,” I reminded her. “I think you’ve got time to make a plan.”
“Don’t talk logic to me, Bas,” she scolded playfully. “I’m trying to brood with you.”
“Fuck, sorry.” I lifted my hands in surrender and felt a little jolt as she giggled.
“Bas,” she said, drawing my name out. “Where the hell did that come from? Do you like to fish or something?”
“What?” I asked, confused by the change of subject.
“Bass? Like the fish?”
I let out a bark of surprised laughter, nearly choking.
“What?” she asked innocently. “It’s a valid question!”
