“You tell me. Are you?” I couldn’t resist.
Before anyone else could panic, Jenna, always the voice of calm said, “We’re great. What’s up?”
“Just saying hello and seeing if you needed anything. I’m here for a few minutes and out of here.” I did take a quick walk around, tasting sauces, checking fryer temperature, and probably annoying everyone before enough for one night.
Gatlin was indeed in his office, on the phone, but he waved me in and I took a seat across from him to wait. He finished quickly, telling whoever he spoke to that he’d get back to them in a couple of days before disconnecting and setting his phone on the desk. “Just the man I wanted to see.”
“Since it’s my night off, you got lucky.”
“What did you do, come in to check on the kitchens and torture your staff?”
I chuckled. “Not a sadist, unlike some around here.”
“So you didn’t poke your head in and see how they were doing?” Gatlin’s gaze would have any omega admitting crimes they didn’t even commit.
I was not immune. “Maybe for a minute.”
“Sadist.” He leaned back in the tall-backed chair. “But that’s not why I hoped to see you.”
“Good. Kitchen torture is just for my staff.”
“That was Talon, asking if you’ve had a chance to consider our offer. And you heard what I said.”
“You’d get back to him in a couple of days. I take it you’d like an answer by then?”
“It’s not a deadline, but yes, if possible.” Straightening, he cocked his head. “Is there any reason you’re holding back? No is also an acceptable answer, although we’d be disappointed.”
“My problem is, I need to discuss it with someone and you made me sign an NDA.”
“Your attorney? You already spoke to him, I believe?”
“Yes, and he didn’t see any big concerns, but I need to speak to someone else before I make a life-changing decision.”
“Your omega.” Gatlin nodded. “I’m glad you’ve sealed the deal.”
“I haven’t, but we’re close and if all goes well, this will also affect his life. I need permission to have that conversation.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Need an NDA from him?”
“No, just get his word. I’ll wait to hear back from you.”
I just needed figure out how to say, “this will affect you too,” without acting as if he’d been marked.
Chapter Sixteen
Hudson
We were hooked on a new crime documentary series, my alpha and I. I had to turn my head at the bloody parts which was strange because I drew people’s blood for a living. Crime scene blood and living people’s blood were different. My stomach had been queasy lately and this doc wasn’t helping one bit.
That morning, Evander and I went to breakfast at our favorite diner, the place we’d gone to together on our first sort-of date. I ordered what I wanted but when the plate was set down and I got a whiff of the ham-and-cheese-stuffed waffle, I almost threw up.
Maybe I was coming down with something.
The reveal came on the TV. After a ton of interviews, they said who the killer was. Evander paused the show. “Did you see that coming? I had no idea. It was her mom!”
I shook my head. “No clue. But now that I know, she was acting kind of weird.”
