“Probably not theworst.”
“You could be out on a date or doing something fun of your own for once. Instead of spying on us.”
“But spying on youissomething fun,” I pointed out, because it was kinda true. I did love a clandestine mission, and I rarely got to participate.
“Are you on comms with my dad?” Vivian was eyeing my earpiece. “Tell him I’m fine. And that he’s pathological, and I’m going to tell Mom on him.”
“Uh, did you hear that, Papa Bear?”
“Roger,” Trace said without emotion. “Tell her she’d better be home by curfew.”
River Kwon, the Protectors’ resident hacker, was snickering in the background.
I sighed. Probably time to abort this op.
Actually, it turned out to be a good thing the girls had spotted me. Their dates came over to introduce themselves, and they seemed like nice guys. Clean-cut, polite, work-roughened hands. They confirmed there wouldn’t be any alcohol tonight. They were all drinking soda. And they’d definitely have Vivian and Stephie back by curfew, not a minute late.
After the four of them wolfed down their food, they took off, reporting they’d get dessert at an ice cream place on Hartley’s Main Street. I’d already given Trace alast update, assuring him I felt confident the girls were okay.
After that, I took out the earpiece and tucked it in my pocket, settling in to finish the rest of my drink.
“Was that your younger sister?”
I turned to glance at the guy sitting on the stool beside me. “What gave it away?” I deadpanned, sipping from my can. Was he making a reference to the brown skin tone Stephie and I shared?
He was probably in his thirties, handsome in a rugged way. A trimmed beard. Calloused hands with just a few traces of dirt under his fingernails. Looked like a working man out to relax for a night. His eyes were a blue so pale they were almost silver, and he had a tiny scar below his right eye.
“Just that you’ve got the same nose. Same ears.”
“Ears?”
He laughed. “Sorry. That probably sounds strange. I wasn’t staring. Not too much, at least.”
The interest in his pale eyes was clear.
He’d left the other seat next to him empty. Maybe he was expecting someone to join him. A buddy or a girlfriend. But a glance at his ring finger showed no wedding ring there.
He wore a ring on his right hand, though. It was large and gold with a flattened blue gemstone in the middle. Like a class ring. There were markings around the gem, but I couldn’t read them, and I’d studied the guy enough.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.
I considered it. He was attractive. Seemed nice.Do something fun for once, Stephie had said.
But no. No, I wasn’t interested.
I moved my eyes to the mirror instead, going back to watching the rest of the room. “Thanks. I shouldn’t.”
He shrugged and turned away, still smiling. After he finished his drink, he got up and left. So, that was that.
I knew what else my sister would say, if she were the one spying onme. Little sisters could give their share of lectures too and believe me, mine did.
It’s been two years. You should be over him.
A harsh laugh from one of the tables caught my attention again. It was the wealthy cowboy’s table. In the mirror, I watched a server approach him, carrying a tray laden with shot glasses. The man said something to her, his diamond stud glinting, and while she was setting her tray on the table, he put his hand on her butt and squeezed.
Uh,excuseme?
I started to get up, instantly furious at the guy’s audacity. But the waitress whirled on him, her face flushed. She said something sharp, jabbing her finger at his chest, and he held up his hands in mock surrender, laughing.
