Decker and Anders chuckled, but all Justin could work up was a forced smile. He really didn’t want to even think of her husband, let alone discuss how brilliant she thought he was.
“Basically, James is really smart,” Holly said. “He has a degree in applied science and he works in the company’s repair department. He does warranty work as well as repairing the components the manufacturing department messes up.”
“I see,” Anders murmured and Justin glanced to him sharply. There was something fishy about his tone of voice. It was distracted, and Justin understood why the minute he looked at him. The other man was staring at Holly’s forehead as she talked, concentrating on it.
Anders was reading Holly’s thoughts about her husband, Justin realized. The inner, subconscious thoughts that she was unknowingly exposing in thinking of him. Thoughts Justin would have liked to read, but couldn’t. It was damned annoying that the other two men could . . . and were, he thought, noting that Decker had the same expression on his face.
“It’s a starting position,” Holly went on. “But if he proves himself, they’ve promised him a promotion, and I have no doubt James will prove himself. He’s brilliant and he loves what he does.” She smiled at the thought and then suddenly turned to Justin and said, “Anyway, you were going to explain this life mate business to me.”
Justin froze, holding his breath briefly as he fought the terrible temptation to just tell her. How could he not be tempted? The minute he explained about life mate sex, she’d probably jump his bones on the spot. However, Justin still wasn’t sure that wouldn’t get him into trouble. If the council considered it unfair or tampering, they might wipe her memory and insist he stay away from her until she was either divorced or widowed. Justin couldn’t bear the thought of that, so he let his breath out slowly and then forced himself to say, “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I cannot explain about life mates to you until I’ve spoken to Lucian and found out if it is all right to explain. It might be considered undue influence or something.”
“Undue influence how? And to do what?” she asked with obvious confusion and then narrowed her eyes. “Is this just your way of avoiding explaining?”
“No. Justin is right to refuse. He could be punished for telling you about life mates,” Decker said solemnly.
Holly scowled at this news, but then heaved a sigh, glanced around and then stood. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. If the waitress comes before I get back, could you please order me a California club sandwich?”
“Of course,” Decker agreed.
Justin was still watching her walk away when Decker turned to him and said, “You were smart to refuse to tell her. It could be seen as interfering.”
Justin nodded unhappily and then glanced sharply to Anders when he added, “But our telling her would not be.”
Decker raised his eyebrows. “Do you think we should?”
“Definitely,” Anders said solemnly. “We should really help Justin with this.”
“Seriously? You’ll explain for me?” he asked with disbelief.
“If Anders is willing, so am I,” Decker said with a smile. “We did say we’d help after all.”
“Damn,” Justin breathed, hardly able to believe his luck. The minute they explained, Holly would be all over him. They really were trying to help him. It made him kind of feel bad for giving them such a hard time when they’d met their life mates. Yeah, they’d been pathetic, but they’d done their best and he could have been a little more sympathetic. Really, this wasn’t as easy as he’d thought. Even for him.
“Why don’t you go take a little walk around the parking lot,” Anders suggested.
When Justin glanced to him with surprise, it was Decker who pointed out, “That way you can’t be accused of being at all involved in the explanations.”
“Oh, right. Good thinking.” Justin stood at once, nodded in thanks to them, and said, “Tell Holly I’ll be waiting for her outside when you’re done, so we can have a private little talk of our own.” Grinning happily, he started away and then paused to add, “And order me the carnitas tacos when the girl comes to take orders, will you?”
He didn’t wait for them to agree, but hurried away whistling a snappy tune. This was going to change everything, he thought as he headed back out to the parking lot. His life was about to change.