Page 23 of Goode Tidings

What happened to Callum Goode?

Flo returns and hands me the receipt and my credit card. She cranes her neck to look at Oliver's plate. "You've got yourself an artist," she says flatly.

Oliver turns sheepish.

I reach for his plate and turn it around. Oh my goodness.

He's drawn a penis and testicles in the salt.

"I've never been more proud," I murmur, swiping my fingers over the masterpiece.

I can probably cross Flo's name off my list of potential new besties.

CHAPTER 11

Callum

"Boss, you look like shit." Dan, my lead staff writer, talks around a candy cane. The hooked end hangs from his mouth, giving him an odd look.

I would've cancelled our weekly video call, but I didn't want to raise suspicions with my team. I never cancel. We're still waiting on Trinh and Rachel to join, so I'm stuck making small talk with Dan.

"Thanks," I answer dryly. I also feel like shit. Sleeping on the recliner is no longer feasible, not if I plan to walk upright for the rest of my life. I'd also like to set my aching back into that tub full of hot water that's just outside my door, but I don't dare during the light of day. I'm sure Eden would come out interrupting my peace and quiet to make sure I'm wearing swim trunks. Obviously I would, and I do, every night when I go in there after the lights are out in the cabin. It's probably unnecessary, but there's no way I'm going to be found in that position again.

"Seriously, though, are you sick?" Dan plucks the candy cane from his mouth. He's worked the straight end into a sharp point.

"No," I snap.

"Ohh, I gotcha. Lady troubles."

Trinh appears on our call. "Who's having lady troubles?" She takes off her red-framed glasses and uses the hem of her shirt to wipe the lenses.

"Nobody," I answer, at the same time Dan says, "Boss-man."

Trinh raises her eyebrows.

"I am not," I insist.

"Sorry, boss," Dan says, not sounding sorry at all. "You definitely have the A woman did this to me look about you."

"He's right," Trinh adds.

I give her a look so she knows I feel betrayed.

She shrugs. "I'm programmed to tell the truth."

"You're not a robot," I say needlessly.

"Sometimes I wonder," Dan mutters.

I haven't told Dan and Trinh that I know they're dating. It's not against company policy for them to date, not that I really have a company policy to begin with. I haven't said anything to them, because they haven't said anything to me. I figure if they want me to know, they'll tell me.

Trinh is my managing editor. Her job largely consists of assigning stories and editing copy. She's also in charge of the production schedule, and I think she keeps Dan from becoming too cynical when it turns out one of the submissions we're considering for publication was a lie.

Cynicism is a by-product of operating a good news website. I wasn't expecting that to be the case, but here we are.

Trinh ignores Dan's comment. Giving it attention might lead to a lover's quarrel, and I'm sure they don't want that to occur in front of me. "So, what's the deal, Callum? Who's giving you trouble?"

I sigh and lean back in my chair, glancing out the office window at the cabin where a certain someone is staying. "There's been a...slight complication."