"Deal," I whisper.
He extends his hand across the table. One massive green palm, open and waiting. My entire hand will disappear inside it.
I take it.
His fingers lock with mine, warm and rough and impossibly gentle for a fist that just launched a troll through drywall.
"Dash Roark," he says.
"Magnolia Jenkins."
"When do we leave, Magnolia Jenkins?"
"Thursday morning." I swallow. "I hope you like mimosas."
He doesn't let go of my hand.
Not right away. Those rough fingers hold mine in place like we've just sealed a pact with the gods instead of negotiated pastry-based supplemental income. His grip is warm. Almost hot, like his blood runs ten degrees above human standard. The calluses on his palm map out a lifetime of weapons I don't want to think about.
I tug. He releases. My hand comes back tingling.
"Parameters," he says, and reaches across the table to grab a napkin from under his tankard.
The napkin is brown. Parts of it are a darker brown. One corner is stiff and crusted with something that flakes when he smooths it flat.
"Is that blood?"
"Probably."
"Whose?"
"The napkin's previous owner."
He pats his chest, his belt, the pouches strapped along his thigh. Produces a stub of charcoal pencil from somewhere inside his vest. Holds it out to me between two fingers like he's handing over a surgical instrument.
"Write the parameters."
"On the blood napkin."
"It's the only napkin."
I take the pencil. It's warm too. Everything about this orc radiates heat like a furnace with a pulse.
"Full operational details," he says, and the way he leans forward makes the bench groan. "Hostile party identification. Engagement rules. Physical contact permissions and restrictions. Exit strategies."
"It's awedding."
"Every wedding I've attended has ended in a knife fight."
"How many weddings have you attended?"
"One."
Fair enough. I smooth out the napkin, avoid the crusty corner, and start writing.
CONTRACT: JENKINS-ROARK FAKE DATING ARRANGEMENT
"First," Dash says, holding up one scarred finger. "Hostile targets. I need names, physical descriptions, threat levels, and known combat capabilities."
