“Will you be working out today?”
“Not today. I’m having lunch with Val.”
“Oh.”
I relished the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay,” he said, trying to play off the small blow to his ego.
If he looked any unhappier, I wouldn’t be able to thwart the smile threatening to break out across my face.
Once inside the elevator, when the thrill wore off, I was thoroughly annoyed with myself. I’d essentially kicked him out of my bedroom the night we met because I was sure I would be too busy enjoying my freedom. Being with Jackson had been suffocating, and a transfer had seemed like the perfect solution.
Why in the hell do I feel this way about Thomas? Despite my feelings about starting a new relationship and considering his temper and emotional baggage, what is it about him that makes me lose my ability to reason?
Whatever it was, I needed to get a handle on it. We had to focus on getting through our assignment in St. Thomas, and something messy like feelings wouldn’t help anyone.
The elevator opened to reveal Val smiling brightly in the hallway. After taking in the sight of me, her good mood vanished. “Haven’t you heard of an umbrella, Liis? Jesus.”
I rolled my eyes. “You act as if I’m covered in dog shit. It’s rain.”
She followed me to my office and sat in one of the twin chairs in front of my desk. She crossed her legs and arms and glared at me. “Spill it.”
“What are you talking about?” I said, kicking off my heels and placing them next to each other by the floor vent.
“Really?” She tucked her chin. “Don’t be that girl. Chicks before dicks.”
I sat down and laced my fingers together on top of my desk. “Just tell me what you want to know, Val. I have things to do. I think I just got Agent Grove fired—or arrested.”
“What?” Her eyebrows shot up for half a second, and then she was frowning again. “You might be an ace at diversion, but I know when someone’s not telling me something, and you, Liis, have a secret.”
I covered my eyes with my hand. “How can you tell? I’ve got to get better at this.”
“What do you mean, how can I tell? Do you know how many interrogations I’ve sat in on? I just know. I’d say I’m psychic, but that’s stupid, so I’ll just say, ‘Thank you, Dad, for being a cheating bastard and heightening my bullshit-o-meter.’”
I pulled my hand away and gave her a look.
“What? I tell the truth—unlike you, you…fake, foul friend.”
I wrinkled my nose. “That was harsh.”
“So is knowing that your friend doesn’t trust you.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Val. It’s just none of your business.”
Val stood and walked around the club chair, placing her hands on the back. “Quite frankly, I’d rather you not trust me. And…you’re no longer invited to Fuzzy’s.”
“What?” I shrieked. “C’mon!”
“No. No Fuzzy’s for you. And they love me, Liis. Do you know what that means? No Fuzzy’s for lunch. No Fuzzy’s forever.” She emphasized every syllable of the last word. Then, she widened her eyes and turned on her heels before shutting the door behind her.
I crossed my arms and pouted.
Five seconds later, my landline rang, and I picked up the phone. “Lindy,” I snapped.
“Hurry up. I’m hungry.”
I smiled, grabbed my purse and shoes, and hurried to the hall.