In response to my question, Drew’s lips curve into a slow smile. He starts shifting around in his chair, glancing up at the ceiling and in the space around and behind him, as though he’s expecting to find hidden cameras or something. Then he leans forward, eyes lit with excitement. “I’ve started looking at rings.”
“Well it’s about fucking time,” I drawl.
“I didn’t want to rush it,” he says defensively.
“Drew, glaciers have melted faster,” I say dryly, taking a sip from my beer. “I mean, we’re almost ready to reopen the shop.”
“Yeah, but we thought we’d be closed for six months, so we’re ahead of schedule,” he says with a smug smile, as though that makes all the difference.
I let out a soft huff of laughter, shaking my head. “Whatever, I’m just glad it’s finally happening now.” I reach out with my beer bottle so I can clink it against his. “Congrats, man.”
Drew grins broadly, before fixing me with a stern expression. “You can’t tell anyone. I want it to be a surprise.”
“I thinkrelievedis the more appropriate word if we want to predict Sully’s reaction,” I say with a chuckle. “But, sure, no problem. I won’t tell.”
His eyes narrow on me. “I mean it Jackson—not even Skyler.”
I hold my hands up to proclaim my innocence. “Not a word.” Obviously, I’ll be telling Skyler, but I know he won’t say anything.
Drew eyes me skeptically for a long moment before finally nodding and relaxing back in the armchair. “Did you come up with a present?” he asks. “Or are you going with my lube idea?”
I ignore the last remark, grinning with excitement as I tug my phone from my pocket. “I thought of something. Here, take a look.” I scroll to the confirmation of the purchase in my email app so Drew can see the picture, then hand my phone to him.
“It’s an old book,” he says, sounding both unimpressed and confused.
“It’s a first edition,” I inform him, even though that information is right there in the sale confirmation.
“It’sbrown…”
I roll my eyes. “It’s from 1968.”
“So…does he, like, collect vintage books or something?”
“No…” Although that does seem like something Skyler would be into. Maybe he’ll start now… “I got him this one because it’s his favorite. I thought he’d like the first edition copy.”
Drew glances at my phone again, then back up at me, eyes wide with incredulity. “His favorite book? Of all time?”
I nod. “Yeah. Why is that—”
“Skyler Mason?”he interrupts, incredulity making way for obvious amusement. “The guy who pulls a new trick every other day? Who just graduated from Columbia Law? You’re telling me his favorite book of all time isRamona the Pest?”
A surge of irritation rushes through me and I lean forward to snatch my phone from Drew’s hands. “Yes, that’s what I’m telling you. I didn’t realize how ridiculous it apparently is,” I grate out through a clenched jaw. “But I swear to god, Drew, if you make fun of him for it we’re going to have a problem.”
Drew’s eyes widen in obvious shock. “Shit…I’m sorry, Jax. I was just a little…surprised, that’s all. I mean, it’s a children’s book…”
“My mom gave it to him when he was seven,” I explain, feeling my hackles recede. I’ve never been very good at holding onto anger, and it’s not Drew’s fault he doesn’t know the full story. “It’s been his favorite book ever since.” I’m not going to mention the part about how it was the first book Skyler had ever owned; that’s his story to tell.
Drew nods, looking extremely contrite. “That makes a lot of sense. And if that’s really his favorite book then I think the first edition’s a great gift.”
I smile and slip my phone back in my pocket. “I already knew that, but thanks.”
ChapterSix
Skyler
It’s notuntil the Friday afternoon of my second week that I finally get invited to Leona’s office to “touch base.”
I’m a little nervous about the one-on-one meeting, although I don’t know why I should be. So far, I think things are going well. I’ve managed to make it through the first week without screwing anything up, so that’s a relief. Not that I anticipated dropping the ball, but it’s always a plus to come out swinging.
