“Nursing like my mom.”
“Well, you’re taking care of people either way.”
“Leave it to my friend here to always see the rainbow in centaur shit,” Sandy said of her proudly as she wrapped an arm around Allie’s shoulders.“It’s what makes her great in landing deals for our company.”
“And leave it to Sandy to always say what she’s thinking.”
“You two have quite the friendship,” Zoe noted, her gaze darting back and forth between them.
“We’ve been best friends since we were roommates in college.”
“I’ve never had that,” Zoe said.“I was always traveling, so it was hard maintaining friends.”
“What did you used to do, Zoe?”Allie asked, curious to learn more about these women.If she was going to be part of their circle, she wanted to know more about them.
“Law enforcement.FBI.”
“Wow.”Allie never would have guessed.“How did you meet Greg then?”From what she’d gathered, they’d only recently gotten together.Like in the past few months.
Allie caught Shay giving Zoe a side-look.“A work collaboration,” Zoe finally said.
A work collaboration?Paper pusher and FBI?What kind of work did Carson really do that he’d donea collaboration with the FBI?“That’s cool you met that way,” Allie remarked as her mind whirled with all sorts of new information that she wasn’t sure how to process quite yet.“What are you doing now?I assume you’re not with the bureau anymore.”
“No, I’m in between jobsat the moment.I’m looking at the local police force, but we’ll see.I’ve been helping the guys in the office in the meantime until I figure out my next step.”
Soall of these women had been to the office except her.Why was she being left out?“Well, the police force will be lucky to have you and your expertise.”
Zoe covered her mouth as she laughed.“Sorry, I don’t mean to make fun of you, but it has never been my experience that police appreciate federal law coming in and telling them how they could improve, but I appreciate your sentiment.”
“Sure.”Allie didn’t know what else to say to that.
“Sorry about Zoe,” Shay commented with a wan smile.“She doesn’t always have a filter and says the first thing that comes to mind.She really didn’t mean to come across as rude, Allie.I think you’re right though.The police force could use her expertise.”She leaned forward to whisper, “But knowing her, she won’t share and will take all the credit.”
“It’s true,” Zoe replied unapologetically.
“Welcome to the group, Allie.I haven’t known Carson long, but he seems much happier since you came into his life.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Youdoing okay?”Carson asked, coming up to them.He wore aviator sunglasses and a grey muscle shirt with tan khakis.He leaned over to kiss Allie on the lips.
A genuine smile crossed her face.“We’re great.How’s everything at the grill?You all seemed ina pretty intense pow-wow.”
“Work stuff.”His famous excuse and non-answer.Allie had let it go, hoping he would tell her in his own time, but now they had been dating for a little bit and were intimate.That should give her some leeway to know more about him.At the very least, where he worked.A name of a company.Something.Sandy knew more about Carson’s work life than she did.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.Things are a little stressful right now, but we’ll get through it.We always do.Do you need a refill on your drink?”His chin tilted toward her beer which was still mostly full.
“No, I’m good.”
“Hey, Carson, so you invite us over for Allie to meet your friends only for you to sneak off and talk about work?Leave the womenfolk to fend for ourselves.”
Allie groaned, closing her eyes.Leave it to abrasive Sandy to just plunge headfirst into situations.The woman had no filter and usually said the first thing that came to mind.Allie loved her for it, but there were also times she could kill Sandy for it.“Sandy didn’t mean for it to come out like that.”Allie gave Sandy a side-eye.“What she meant was, thank you for inviting us over.It’s great meeting everyone.”
“And will you all be huddled up in a corner all night talkingshop or will women be included in conversations anytime soon?”
