Just then, music from the kitchen drifted onto the main floor. Case was here. But instead of screaming death metal, it was tolerable alt-rock at an even more tolerable decibel.
Charlie’s eyebrows rose. “What’s going on with him?”
“Maybe he realized how much we hated his music?”
Charlie shook his head. “That’s not it. He’s known for a long time how much we hate his music.”
He had a point. “I better go investigate. Make sure everything’s okay.”
I turned around, and Charlie took the opportunity to smack my ass. I’d been expecting it, though, so he got my hand instead of my butt.
“You’re no fun,” he called after me.
“You’re going to have to get faster than that, English.” My smile was gloating because, honestly, he thought he could outsmart me? Not a chance.
In the kitchen, Case and Joey leaned over a Styrofoam freezer box I knew would be full of one of their various protein orders. They were talking in low tones and laughing. Sure, it was about flank steak, but...
“Hey, guys,” I greeted loudly since they hadn’t heard me come in. They jumped apart and whirled around. Joey clutched her heart. Case scowled at me.
Okay, I got the appeal. Charlie wasn’t a total sadist.
“Fuck, Ada,” Case growled. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“You guys good?” I asked, waiting for them to confess their undying love for each other.
“We’re good,” Case bit out.
Joey laughed. “Yeah, we’re good.”
“Eliza will be back tonight,” I told them placidly. “In case there’s anything you need to share with HR.”
Case leaned back against the stainless-steel counter and shot Joey a smirky look. “I think something’s in the water here. Everyone seems to be infected.”
She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks blushed bright red. “We’ve barely moved from hostile territory to friends. Don’t let him fool you.”
“Sure, sure,” I offered magnanimously. “Friends. That’s wise.”
Case’s entire expression seemed to glitter like there was a sparkly filter over his face. If they were friends, they were friends with benefits.
“Don’t let him get away with anything,” I told Joey. “Case better work his ass off for thisfriendship.”
Joey laughed. “Noted.”
Some of the sparkle disappeared off his face. “Oh, I’m the one who’s gotta work?” Then he stood up taller. “I’ll have you both know I’m a prize. She would be so lucky.”
“To have your friendship,” I filled in. Because he’d forgotten that detail.
Case and Joey nodded in unison. “Right, for my friendship.”
I headed for the office. “You guys make a great pair of friends. I’m really happy for you.”
“I blame the water,” Case called after me.
As I settled into some new hire paperwork, an hour went by while I listened to the friends flirt in the kitchen. Maybe something was in the water. When had we all fallen in love?
And to be fair, Case and Joey might be only friends for now. But something had happened between them since she started. Plus, they were well-suited. Not only professionally but personality-wise too.
Also, when did I just sit here and stare at my goofy reflection on the computer screen? And when had I started smiling like this? It was... more normal looking than ever.
