Did your coworkers attack you like you thought?
Like vultures around a carcass.
Thank you for that image.
Carson could see Allie making a face at her screen.Sorry.They all surrounded my desk before I even sat down.
Sandy has been hounding me all morning for more details about our adventure.
He liked calling it an adventure.It was better than a mundane word like date.She is pretty relentless.What did you tell her?
Fishing for compliments?
Hardly.I just want to prep myself if she’s coming to attack me at work again.
I’m sorry she did that.I didn’t know until after our lunch.
Don’t sweat it.Sandy is a hurricane no one can stop and get the hell out of her way when she’s on a war path.
Well, you don’t have to worry about her showing up.Not that I know of at least.All I told her was that we had fun paintballing.She said she’s upset she didn’t see you get trounced.
By kids, not you.You should see the welts I have today.
Hey, I said I was sorry.Now you’re making me feel bad.She sent him a sad emoji with a tear coming out of its eye.It made him smirk.
I’m just teasing you.There are a few bruises, but they aren’t that bad.They weren’t pretty, but most of the tenderness was easing.
Next time it will be fair.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I know we haveplans this weekend, but do you want to have lunch during the week?I don’t know where your office is, but I’m on the southside.Duh, of course you know where I work.If you’re near there, we can meet up.
Carson had to bite hislip so he didn’t laugh and draw the attention of others.Allie’s blabbering when she thought she was in the wrong and backpedaling was comical.I work on the other side of town.
Oh, okay.
He could hear the disappointment even through text.And I hate to do it, but I’m going out of town tomorrow.I’ll be gone most of this week.Business trip so I won’t be able to text much.I’m really sorry.Carson would love nothing more than to go out with Allie some more, but they finally got a break on Yurgio.This was his chance to finally nail the bastard.
Business trip?
He knew it probably sounded like a lame excuse, but it was as close to the truth as he could tell her.I promise I’ll make it up when I get back.I have to go.I have a meeting.I’ll call you tonight and explain more, but I can’t right now.
I have one too.You better.Talk soon.
Bye, Allie.
Bye, Carson.
“Bye, Carson, aw how sweet.”Carson turned to see Barry hovering over his shoulder staring at his phone screen.
Carson struck as quick as a rattlesnake.He was up out of his chair with Barry in a headlock.Barry squirmed, but Carson had a firm grip on him.Barry wasn’t going anywhere without losing his head.
“Privacy, Barry.Remember it,” Carson said in a deadly whisper.He loved this man like a brother, but he would knock him on his ass without blinking.
“Barry, Carson,” Luke called out to them from the kitchen area which was also where the war table was.“Quit playing around.”
Carson tightened his hold for a second before releasing him.Barry stumbled back, his hand massaging his throat as he hunched over taking slow shallow breaths.Barry’s face was beet red.Carson had held on a little tighter than he thought he had.
