“What’s new?” My ask was rhetorical.
I forgot how she takes everything quite literal. Smiling broadly, she presses an app on her phone. A monitor behind the bar comes to life and a female version of Jason stares out and smiles.
“Hi! I’m Jasonelle one-point-oh. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”
“No way.” When I get over my astonishment, I high-five Jenna with the rest of the women. “What made you do it?”
More relaxed, she takes a sip of her drink. “I’m going to give people the option to choose a gender. It’s high time we stop thinking of men as smarter than women.”
“Especially when it comes to giving directions. Everyone trusts the Google lady.”
“Exactly.” As she laughs, the meme sings along to Jingle Bells.
Then, Jason pops up and joins her for the chorus in harmony. After, in pause mode, they both smile and blink out at the screen, waiting for instructions.
“Did her appearance have something to do with Jason’s ridiculous pajamas?” I’m constantly astounded at the quiet woman’s genius.
“Oh, you saw those? Jason and I were doing an analysis of how appearance affects people’s communication.”
“Well, I for one, adore Jasonelle and will definitely use her in the future.” As we chat, I swear I see Frankie talking to Slate but when I ask, he denies it. Lilac, his doctor wife, I notice, is wearing a wedding ring,
“You finally tied the knot?” Between dinner and dessert, Suds and I sit down at their table.
Lilac beams up at Slate. “It was a simple ceremony at the justice of the peace. Covid made us realize life is too short.”
“So, Slate has a Mrs. Slate? Or is that your first name?” I grin over at my sometimes boss and he shrugs. “That intel is shared on a need-to-know basis only.”
“To answer your question, I opted to keep my last name. It’s easier for my patients and frankly, taking on a man’s name is archaic.” Lilac looks up and Slate kisses her with an intensity that makes me gasp. Holy shit, stoneman has a side I’ve never seen before.
The ugly sweater contest is won by Lucky, hands down, donning a snowman with a 3D carrot nose and cock. God bless us all, we may be traumatized for life.
Too soon, the party ends. Suds and I take our time saying goodbye then call an Uber to drive us back home. My head on his shoulder, we hold hands and stare at all the bright displays.
On the Manhattan Bridge, he pulls out a check and illuminates it with his phone. “It’s our bonus. Grayson said he appreciates all we did to help keep the government contracts. In fact, the publicity brought in more work.”
“Speaking of consequences, I heard Selena may be facing jail time.”
“Yup. The DA will be pressing charges, but I’ll believe it when I see it.” He sighs and kisses the tip of my nose. “I also heard the Feds shut down the sex trafficking site upstate. There’re looking into other SUNY colleges, as well.”
I sigh. “The collegiate’s murderer flew to Belarus. The US has no extradition treaty with them.”
“Sometimes the bad guys win, sugar.” He taps the side of the check on his lap. “Mebbe, we should open a Suds and Sam branch in New Jersey or Long Island.”
“What about the west coast?”
“That’s a thought.” His smile makes me fall in love more, if that’s possible.
I taste a top shelf whiskey when I kiss him. “Suds and Sam East Coast. Suds and Sam West. It has a nice ring to it. Maybe we’ll be famous, and they’ll make a TV series, like Scully and Mulder.”
Suds’ mouth drops open and his brows raise. “No fucking way.”
“Why not?”
“I was just picturing my little trouble magnet dealing with the paranormal. Hell, babe, the weird shit would cling to you like a softener sheet to a sock in the dryer.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Who saved who at the judge’s?”
“Whom.” He tweaks my nose. “You know I’m jokin’ around. You really are the best partner a man could ask for.”
