Instead of I-told-you-so, he just raises a brow. “And?”
“We’re going to try long distance for a while.” My grin stretches so wide, it strains muscles I forgot I had. If it wouldn’t get me hauled off in a straitjacket, I’d jump up and fist-pump the air.
He pats my back, clinking his bottle against mine. “Congrats. I assume this means you’ll quit moping?”
“I don’t mope.”Curse? Yes. Punch holes in my bedroom walls? Affirmative. But mope? No way.
“If you say so.” His smirk says quite the opposite.
Before I can call him out, a commotion erupts from those watching the game.
When the noise dies down, my friend leans back in his chair. “So, how is this going to work?”
Fingers virtually crossed, I say a short prayer he’ll approve of my idea. “I’ve got some unused paid leave. I’m thinking long weekends. Would you mind if I took Fridays off for a while?”
“I can’t.” His deadpan face makes my pulse pound.
What the fuck?“After everything I’ve done for—”
Beer sprays all over the place as his laughter interrupts my rant. “You should see your face, man. Priceless.”
Still chuckling, he shakes his head. “Chill. The director wants a man in Burlington. You in?”
My mouth gapes open while my brain cells misfire. Then, I lunge forward, pinching his cheeks.
“I could kiss you right now.”
“You do—the offer is off the table.” He shoves my chest but yanks me into a bro-hug, slapping me hard on the back. “All kidding aside, when I needed you, you’ve always been there. This hardly begins to repay all I owe you.”
“Consider us even.” I tap the passing server’s arm. “Single malt. Top shelf.”
Heart soaring, I picture Kelly, Mack, and me. Maybe a dog. And a fence, but I’ll gladly fix up her grandmother’s house.
Before any of this can happen, I need to make sure she’s safe. “Any word on John Bourdin?”
My friend’s frown reflects my own thoughts on the matter. “Other than the original rumors, he escaped to Iran, nothing.”
“Those mercenaries had it in for him. I’m betting we’ll find his body come spring. If he’s still alive, he better not show his face anywhere near me.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Baring his incisors, Wulf grins. I know that look. A year ago he dragged my ass to Belarus to save his wife. He’s telling me to do the same.
Because of this, I press my luck, “You think you could live without me tomorrow? I could take an early flight and get there by mid-morning.”
The happily married man chuckles. “Hah, we’ll survive, no worries. Do me a favor. Bring your PC. Check-in a few times a day to make sure nothing is blowing up.”
“No problem.”
We talk for a while longer, the conversation winding down as the night stretches on. Eventually, he scrubs a hand over his face and exhales. “Guess I should head home.”
“Yeah, me too.” I get up from the table, rolling the tension from my shoulders. “Night, Wulf. Thanks again.”
By the time I make it back to my apartment, the city is quiet, the streets nearly empty. Inside, the air is still, the only sound, the faint hum of the fridge. Kelly’s probably been asleep for hours, but if I don’t call her right now, I might actually explode.
I slip off my jacket, drop onto the couch, then dial her number.
“Wildlife?” Her sleepy-thick voice has a soft rasp which makes me smile. “What time is it?”
Unable to hold back, I shout out my news, “Hey sweetie, I’ve been reassigned to Burlington.”
