A smart man knew when to admit he needed help, and right now he needed all the help he could get. Who better to get it from than the number-one assist for clueless men in the Bay Area?
He stuck his head out his door and double-checked where his partners were before casually sauntering over to Colby.
“How’s your workload look this week?” Dean asked.
Colby didn’t bother to glance up from the computer screen. “Out-of-the-office stuff? I’m booked this afternoon, and I haven’t even looked at tomorrow’s list yet.”
“I’ll clear your schedule.” Dean passed forward Emma’s folder. “I’m putting you on this one as of tonight. It’s a new case, confidential client, but I’ve cleared him.”
Colby whistled softly as he took the file. “Damn, we’re getting a lot of these hush-hush jobs lately. Is this another royalty gig?”
From the far side of the room where she was working, Gillian’s voice rang out. “Don’t take it…” she warned.
The guys grinned at each other—they’d heard all about her little mishap.
“Nothing nearly as exciting as that,” Dean assured him. He laid his hands on the computer desk and moved in closer to Colby. “Keep this one on the down-low, even around here. He’s willing to pay extra for complete confidentiality.”
“No prob.”
“You report straight to me. Anything you get that’s important to act on fast, let me know.”
If there was a hint of suspicion in Colby’s eyes Dean managed to ignore it, instead waving jovially at Parker as the other man exited the boardroom, guiding a client back to the front hall.
Jack gestured for Dean to join them, and the three friends ended up in Parker’s office, where Parker leaned back in his chair, fingers linked behind his head, satisfaction on his face. “I’ve been checking our financial statements. Assets continue to grow.”
Jack was tossing a ball with one hand, not even looking at it. “Didn’t we have this conversation not even three months ago?”
Parker shrugged. “Hey, I figure it’s important to report good news as often as we can. We’re doing okay, guys. And so far so good in terms of positive media reports.”
“Positive?” Dean laughed. “Let’s use a few bigger superlatives there, bro. Glowing, extraordinary, fucking fantastic.”
“We’re amazing,” Jack agreed. “So what are we going to do to celebrate?”
Parker stared off into space for a moment. “The options are pretty endless. And I definitely want us to do something, but let’s also think long-term here. We’ve got the new hires, and they’re doing great. Do we need to add anyone else to the roster?”
Jack and Dean glanced at each other. “It seems strange to think that we’ve already got a staff of six,” Jack remarked.
“Seven, if you count Pepper.”
Jack raised a brow. “She’s not staff, not according to her. She’s Supreme Overlord and Queen of My Ass.”
“If we hire more people it means we can work less hours…” Parker offered the suggestion as if it were a steak-and-lobster dinner. “I mean, I love what we do, but it’s kind of nice to be able to sleep in and not have to see oh-dark-hundred very often anymore.”
“You getting old, Parker?” Jack taunted. “Need us to start buying you Viagra by the case?”
Parker smirked. “Fuck off. I don’t need help getting it up. I’ve got the cock of an eighteen-year-old. If anyone needs some extra assistance, it’s—” He stopped abruptly, his expression becoming pained. “Nope, can’t do it. Damn it, Jack, why’d you have to go and hook up with my sister? Now sex banter is completely off the table.”
“You can still sex-banter with this guy.” Jack hooked a thumb at Dean. “In fact, I think we should. Now. Because either I’m dreaming it, or Colter hasn’t been late for work in days, and you know what that means.”
Parker grinned. “He’s not getting any.” Those mocking green eyes shifted in Dean’s direction. “We’re right, aren’t we?”
Dean stifled a groan. Of all the men on their Rangers unit, why the hell had he decided to bro up with these ones? Parker and Jack gossiped more than a gaggle of old ladies in a Florida retirement home.
“Ha!” Jack crowed when Dean didn’t respond. “Oh yeah, he’s totally striking out in the sex department.”
“No, I’m just taking a sabbatical,” he said through clenched teeth.
That had them laughing even harder. “A sabbatical?” Parker echoed. “Is that code for you figured out casual sex sucks ass?”
Dean rose before Jack could pipe up in agreement. Ever since Parker and Jack had met the respective loves of their lives, it was like they’d forgotten all the sexual shenanigans they’d gotten into in the past. They’d climbed on their high horses and were starting to get way too preachy for Dean’s liking. Most times it was all in good fun, but something about their matching smirks rubbed him the wrong way today.