Page 79 of The Fire We Make

“You’re welcome,” she smiled up at him through fluttering lashes. Ace’s gaze drifted to Joy and as if she could feel his attention slipping, Stephanie spoke again.

“You know, I’m so glad I caught you.”

Ace looked down at her. “Yeah? Why is that?”

“I was wondering if I could pick your brain about something when you have the time.”

Ace flicked his eyes up to Joy. “Joy and I have a full day but I have a minute or two now if you can make it quick.”

Stephanie flicked her eyes over to Joy as well, as if only now noticing her presence and the displeasure with their audience was written clearly on her face.

“I was actually hoping to speak to you alone.”

“Maybe Joy can help,” Ace said. “She’s very knowledgeable.”

Stephanie peered over her shoulder at Joy. “So I’ve heard. How are you, Joy?”

“Great,” Joy returned blandly as she lifted her coffee cup to her lips.

Stephanie turned to Joy and gave her a once-over, which Joy met with a hard stare. “Girl, why are you always wearing all black? You look so… dreary.”

Joy’s eye contact didn’t waver. “Hides the blood splatter,” she said with a straight face.

Stephanie burst into a fit of giggles that quickly dissipated when she realized Joy hadn’t joined her.

“Kidding,” Joy finally offered, flashing a smile that couldn’t be mistaken for friendly.

“Oh um… okay,” Stephanie cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably under the weight of Joy’s stare. “Funny.”

She picked up her cup and slowly began backing away from Joy whose face still hadn’t split from the hard mug she wore.

“Well you both have a good day,” she said as she retreated.

After a few moments, Ace and Joy turned to each other and fell into a fit of riotous laughter.

“You wrong as fuck for that, you know that right?” Ace wheezed between laughs.

“Man whatever,” Joy waved him off, wiping the tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes. “Jolly ass bitch gets on my nerves.”

“Did you see her face? Looked like she thought you were gonna pounce on her.”

“Ain’t nobody finna touch that girl. If anyone should be concerned about getting pounced on, it's you. She was looking at you like a steak dinner in front of a man on death row.”

“I’ve heard my impeccable suits have that effect.” He flexed and the muscles protruded beneath his suit.

Joy rolled her eyes but he saw the way her eyes lingered on the bulge of muscle in his arm and the way she bout her lip.

“They ain’t all that. Ole girl is just thirsty and annoying.”

“You sound snappy and jealous.”

“Please. I have no need to be jealous.”

“No?”

“No.”

Ace grinned and Joy just rolled her eyes.