“What if I came here to tell you something important?” Mal says with a chuckle.
“Text me.” I shrug and close the door.
Rory grins widely at me from the couch in the lobby.
“Hello, Rory.” I walk closer to him, and he uncurls from his sweatshirt ball.
“Hi, Lex.” He sounds so bright and chipper today. “You look nice. I’ve only seen you in suits before.”
“I can be casual,” I try, and he laughs. “Alright, it’s hard for me. I’ll never be as comfortable as you when you curl into your sweater.”
“You’d never fit. You’re much too big for that.” He gives me an assessing look that pumps up my ego. Rory shakes his head and gasps. “Oh, I made something for you.”
“You didn’t need to do that, sweet boy.”
The grin that lights up his face is blinding. “I know, but you keep getting me presents.”
“You deserve nice, soft things.” Too bad I’m a hardened killer.
“I’ve been sleeping with your gift every night.” Something about the idea of him snuggling a gift I gave him?—
“How are you sure it’s from me?” I tease.
“Huh.” He taps his chin in thought. “I found a stuffed rabbit on my doorstep after you called me rabbit.”
“Guilty.” I almost snort a laugh. I’ve never said that word before.
Rory pulls an envelope from his large front pocket and hands it to me with a shy smile. I reach out to grab it from him, but he gasps and grabs my hand.
Fuck, I forgot about that.
“What happened?”
I was beating the shit out of some guy cause he caused you pain.
“I was sparring.” Close enough.
“You should really wear gloves or at least tape your knuckles.”
He stands still, holding my hand and pulling me with him.
“Judy.”
She turns with a smile. “Yes.”
“Do you have a first-aid kit?”
“Of course.” She opens a drawer and pulls out a small red box.
“Thank you. Now where’s the bathroom?”
“I’m fine, rabbit.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” His button nose is wrinkled in concern. “Bathroom.”
“Fine.” I point to my office, and he drags me there. When he opens the door, Mal seems surprised, but he grins.
“Why, hello there.”
