Page 86 of Kaine

“Does everyone here know you?” I whisper and he just chuckles.

Henry is waiting for us in the valet bay when we get outside.

The gods have divined a beautiful day for my birthday. The sky is blue without a hint of cloud and the cool breeze washes over my cheeks, making me gurgle with happiness.

“What’s up gigglepot?” Kaine asks, opening the car door for me. I slide into the car and sigh.

“Nothing, just happy I guess.”

“Well, what do men do when they’re happy? I can’t very well giggle,” he asks once as he slides in next to me.

“Sure, you can.”

“I’d rather not.”

“How ‘bout you chortle?”

“That sounds like something a drunken uncle called Wilfred would do at Thanksgiving.”

“So, Wilfred you’ll be for the rest of the day!”

“Ready, Mr. Ashley?” Henry asks through the screen.

“Ready, Henry.”

It’s an exchange that seems different compared to the other mornings and I look at Kaine out of the corner of my eye.

“Yes, my sweet?” he asks, glancing down at his phone, avoiding my eye contact.

“What’s going on?”

“Why do you think something is going on?”

“You... and him...” I jab my finger in Henry’s direction. “Something’s off.”

“Maybe Henry had a good night. Hey, Henry!”

“Yes, sir?”

“Did you have a good night last night?”

“Not particularly, sir, no.”

“What about this morning? Did something good happen?”

“No more than usual, sir. Just happy to be at work.”

“There! THAT!” I say, jumping up in my seat and pointing at Henry again. I can see him glancing at me through the rear-view mirror.

“That what?” Kaine asks, raising his eyebrows high.

“That thing he said. No one is HAPPY to be at work. Something’s going on.”

“I’m sure Henry is the one exception. Isn’t that right, Henry?”

“It is my goal in life to work for you forever, Mr. Ashley,” Henry replies, loyal to the end.

“See?” Kaine grins at me.