We put the finishing touches on the storefront and then I get off the stool. “Perfect.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gingerbread house quite like this.” He stands next to me to admire our work.
“That’s because it’s not just a gingerbread house...it’s a marketing tool.”
“Efficient.” Beau nods his head in approval. Of course he respects efficiency.
We clean up as best we can and Beau takes responsibility for carrying the gingerbread Loot after we box it up. I text Sam to let him know we’re all done and call Tom for a ride back to the city.
After a quick drive back, Tom stops the car in front of Beau’s hotel. “I hope you enjoyed a bit of city magic this Christmas,” I say as he gets out.
“Is that all the magic the city has?” He puts his hands up when he sees my offended face. “It was nice and all. But that’s it?”
“The city hasa lotmore to offer—”
“Great. So I’ll see you tomorrow at your office and you can show me more of that magic. Good night, Sonia.” Hazel eyes look at me expectantly. Funny, they don’t look devious. And yet here we are.
“Yeah, Tricky MacDonald. Shake that dirt off your nicest pair of chaps and I’ll show you more city Christmas. But come early because we have more decorating to do.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He tips an imaginary hat and walks into the hotel lobby.
“I can tell you deepened your accent that time,” I yell after him. “Faker.”
He throws a wink over those broad, hold-on-to-during-sex shoulders and saunters the rest of the way to the lobby.
The next morning, I sail into Priya’s office for our daily meeting, toe off my shoes, flip my notebook open and make myself comfortable on her worn leather couch. As the boss, she has the best couch out of all of us. Because as the boss, she’s had nights when she sleeps on this comfortable couch.
Not as much since she started dating Gavin, thankfully. As wary as I am of relationship malarkey, it does seem to have gone well for Priya.
“Did you hear from the owner of the Stanhope collection?” Priya asks me without looking up from her computer.
“Yes, my liege.” That does get her to look at me. And roll her eyes. Success. “But they keep asking me questions I’ve already answered in writing. I’ve even had to resort to ‘Per my last email,’ so they know I’m salty about their lack of basic reading comprehension.”
“Ooo. Bitchy. You gonna throw in a ‘I’ll kick you in the balls if you don’t give me what I want?’ It’s less hostile than what you went with.”
“But less professional.”
“I’m sending you some emails I want you to handle as well, but please don’t threaten to kick anyone.”
“No promises.” My phone vibrates in my pocket, signaling the work she’s sending to me.
“And we have a slight problem with a piece,” Priya says.
“Lay it on me. So that I may pick up my sword and vanquish the dragon for you.” I flip to a new page in my notebook. Can’t let Priya take herself too seriously.
“Drama,” Priya mumbles. Then gets on with it. “The Art Crime Team is convinced that Gupta Dynasty piece with the big boobies is stolen.”
Calls from the FBI. I guess it is serious. “Do we still have it?”
“No. The seller didn’t leave it with us when he let us examine it for sale.”
“That one’s going to hurt when it goes.” Rude smugglers, stealing history.
“Yes.” Priya does stop typing and looks up at that, letting me know it’s a loss for her as well. “One more thing. I hear you’ve been spending some more time with the attractive cowperson.” She puts her elbows on the table and her head on her hands, settling in for the gossip.
I should be honored that she thinks it’s worth stopping work for this, but instead I’m terrified.
It’s also déjà vu. Over a year ago I was in this office harassing Priya about her attraction to Gavin, and now I’m in the hot seat.
