Page 9 of Dancing in the Dark

“Shut up.” I slam a bottle against his chest and keep on walking. “I hate it when you get smug.”

“I’m not smug!” Laughing, he jogs to catch up with my long strides. “Can’t a guy just be happy his best friend is happy?”

“No.”

“And if things go well at Aubree’s birthday party, perhaps next week will be even happier.”

“I said shut up.”

“Are you mad I’m a better ballplayer than you? Because you really shouldn’t take it personally. I spent most of my youth making shots or dodging shots. As in,” he cracks his drink open and chuckles. “The second being bullets. Timothy Malone the Second wasn’t good for much, but the prick made me fast on my feet. Fifi!” He walks faster. “Hey, girl.”

“What?” I swing my eyes up. Down. Around. “Where⁠—”

“Kidding.” He makes good use of his hard-earned skills and takes off like a shot, laughing all the way.

“You’re an asshole.” Bubbling anticipation turns to crushing disappointment as my world remains depressingly Sera-free. “I hate you.”

5

SERAPHINA

On Friday morning, my desk phone bleats with a call coming directly from Justin’s office, so I snatch it up quickly and bring it to my ear. “This is Seraphina.”

“Come into my office, please. Bring the China packet with you.”

“Yes, sir.” I snap my files closed and make a pile, then dropping the phone back into its cradle, I push up from my chair and drag my top drawer open. Taking out a long, thin cardboard box and adding it to my stack, I heft the lot and glance across to the assistant’s assistant.

Which makes her my assistant… I guess.

“He wants to go over the briefing packet. That’ll take about an hour or so, then he has an engagement downtown at one.”

“Okay.” Reese tucks long, dark-blonde hair back over her shoulder and picks up her trilling phone the instant it rings. “This is Mayor Lawrence’s office, Reese speaking. Would you mind holding the line for a second?”

She waits for their answer, smiles, and places them on hold.

“I’ll be here,” she continues. “I’ll have fresh coffee for everyone when you’re done, and the car will be ready for his one o’clock. Do you need me to run out and grab you something for lunch before you head out again?”

“No, that’s fine. But thanks.” I’ll take a two-minute bathroom break in between meetings and slam something into my belly while I walk. Holding my pile in one arm and snatching up my phone with the other, I check my screen and frown at yet another “gvtne86%^” message from unknown sender.

I ignore all the rest.

Anderson’s email about the port.

Aubree’s text about her birthday.

Charlie’s absence of texts, though I want so badly to ask about Mia’s recital last night.

I swallow my sigh and bring my focus up again. “Keep an eye on the time for us. I’ll be back soon.” Spinning on my heels, I carry my load and make a beeline for Justin’s door, rapping my knuckles on the solid wood just once, then opening it without waiting for his verbal invitation. Stepping in, I meet his silver-gray stare and prepare to jump right into our China discussions, but I catch his upturned finger and the phone pressed to his ear, so I shut my trap and wait.

“Seraphina just stepped in, so despite how absolutely awful your day is, Daddy has to go.”

Daddy?

Someone needs to call Aubree and let her know her man is talking in the third person again.

His entire face lights up with a teasing playfulness. “I will not mediate this for you, sweetheart. I get that she’s your friend, but she’s also your boss, so you can ride this horse into battle if you want, or you can remain employed. It’s up to you.”

I wander closer and set my things on his desk. He switches his “wait” finger to a “sit down” hand, so I pull his visitor chair forward and settle on the edge.