I shrugged. “This is elbow grease and time, as opposed to a few hundred dollars to replace it for a new, clean one.”
He snorts. “Indeed.” He drops to the ground and picks up a rag. “Kristy asked about you again.”
I roll my eyes. “It was seven years ago, and I didn’t even hold her hand!” This isn’t the first time I’ve pointed this out.
Nason laughs. “You made an impression.”
Kristy is a woman who works in Nason’s office. I let him set me up on a blind date with her seven years ago, and she did absolutely nothing for me. She’s perfectly lovely, but after my divorce a couple of years after moving to Kala, there haven’t been many people who have interested me at all.
My eyes flicker to Lie on the lounge. He’s no longer straddling it obscenely. Apparently, that was just for me when his father wasn’t home. He’s now on his back, one leg propped up on his other, bouncing in the air.
“I’m good,” I say. “Thanks for relaying the message.”
“You’re determined to be single forever, aren’t you?” he asks, bemused.
“I don’t need a partner to have a fulfilling life.”
He hums as he scrubs one of the inner pieces of the grill. “I worry you get lonely in that house all by yourself.”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine. If I want a date or a hookup or a partner, I can find one on my own. Promise.”
Nason sighs. “Fine. But my office is filled with lots of hungry people who all drool over your hairy ass. Just saying.”
“My ass isn’t hairy. Only my chest,” I say, making Nason laugh.
“You up for making a little extra money?”
“I don’t know if I dare ask. Are you trying to whore me out now, since I don’t want a romantic relationship?”
His laughter is loud. “No, fucker. My office is planning a Valentine’s Day party, and we’re tossing around the idea of an open bar. We basically have a liquor closet, so all we need is a mixologist. Interested?”
“Are you requesting a family and friends discount?”
He smirks. “It’s not coming out of my wallet, so no. Full price.”
I hum as I think about this. It’s not like I’m busy on Valentine’s Day. No hot plans. Not hoping to get laid. Nothing of the sort. The most I’d be doing is working, which I usually do on holidays since I’m single and without family, whereas many of my colleagues have families and loved ones.
“This isn’t an attempt at setting me up, is it?”
“Nah. Though I’m going to ask that all you wear is a tight white thong, so my single workers have something to ogle at all night.”
“Only if I receive cash tips slipped into the thin fabric,” I say. “I best be making some mad tips.”
Nason rolls his eyes. “How’s the bar?”
I shrug. “It’s a bar. I’m not sure what kind of answer you’re expecting. The most excitement that happens at the bar is me having to threaten Benson to kick him out every time Cash is there because he turns into a giant walking dick.”
He sighs heavily, shaking his head. “I’ve known Cash for most of his life. I have a hard time believing that he instigates his brother’s behavior.”
“Based on observation, I don’t think Cash used to, though I think he’s now of the mind that if Ben is going to treat him like shit, he’s going to have some fun while earning his ire.”
Nason shakes his head. “Lie used to want a brother. Until he saw how Ben treated Cash, and now I haven’t heard that request in years.”
“I think he’d be horrified if you gave him a sibling now.”
“Oh, definitely.” He laughs. “My boy loves being an only child.”
My eyes flicker to Lie again. He has a big smile on his face as he continues to talk on the phone. “Were we like that as kids?”
