I stewed on the walk over to the meeting, Sadie rushing to keep up behind me. I was being rude, but if I actually looked at her, I was going to scream or kiss her, neither of which would be appropriate to do in front of my employees.
She was breathing hard when I turned fully toward her. It made her chest rise and fall hypnotically.
“Parker—”
“Are you kidding me? Seriously? Why don’t you fuck off, Hunter!”
“And this is why I did not want Hunter at this meeting,” I said, turning to go keep Hunter from landing himself in jail. Sadie trotted behind me down the hall to the large glass-enclosed conference room that looked out at the Art Trail that ran behind Svensson PharmaTech.
Remy had Hunter by the collar of his shirt. Garrett glared at Hunter. Mace looked between them with concern. Meg’s arms were crossed.
“You can’t just stalk the guy I’m dating.”
“He’s a creep,” Hunter insisted, shaking Remy off. “He sells water from a creek online.”
“He’s quirky.”
“He’s insane, and he’s going to make everyone sick,” Hunter spat.
“You’re dating one of the raw-water people? There are parasites in that water,” I said.
Meg glared at me.
“Ma’am,” I added hastily.
“I don’t need all of you judging me. Besides, I’m not drinking that water. However, he is very attractive in a lumberjack sort of way,” Meg said.
Hunter was going to have an aneurism. His eyes were dangerously bright, and the tendons on his neck were prominent.
“You can’t sleep with him,” Hunter growled.
“I can do whatever I want,” Meg snapped. “Ida’s been after me to test all of her new sex products and write reviews for her.”
“Not that I want to police your life, Deputy Mayor,” I said. “Or agree with Hunter, but as a scientist, I feel like I should inform you that parasites acquired from stream water can be passed from genital-to-genital contact. We’re working on a new antiparasitic for sub-Saharan Africa. Parasite infections are a problem when people are in close contact and they all have worms.”
Sadie made a gagging sound.
“Not that it’s any of my business. But I would recommend an antiparasitic if you have been anywhere near this guy,” I finalized.
“That is disgusting,” Hunter said after a moment.
“Sorry,” I said.
“I don’t need an antiparasitic,” Meg said grudgingly.
Hunter looked triumphant.
“But that’s only because Hunter is trying to ruin my life. He freaked that poor guy out!” Meg’s attention snapped to Sadie when she saw her set the food and papers down on the table. “You see, Sadie, this is what’s wrong with Svensson males.”
Sadie nodded a little too enthusiastically for my comfort. “Totally! They’re out of control, rude, self-absorbed, and childish.”
Wait, was she talking about me? She was the one who hadn’t invited me up to her apartment yesterday. But unlike Hunter, I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut.
“Care for a biscuit? I made sausage gravy,” Sadie offered.
“I shouldn’t,” Meg demurred. “I’m watching my carbs.”
“You don’t need to diet,” Sadie said. “Although raw water would be very effective for losing weight.”
