“How’s it going?” Lucas asked as he stood against the railing, looking at Brad. His facial hair was trying to hide a smile.
“I was a little shocked to see you today,” I said, holding my drink at my waist. I would stay sitting for fear of tipping over the side somehow.
“I was impressed by how thoroughly you answered the many questions,” he responded.
I noticed that he didn’t mention he was surprised to see me. There could only be one reason for that.
I narrowed my eyes at Brad. Who grinned.
“Thanks,” I said to Lucas, taking a sip and then grimacing.
“What’s the matter, don’t like mai tais?” Lucas asked.
“No, just…”
“She’s trying to stay sober,” Brad said, gulping his own. He was already halfway done. He wasn’t kidding about equal footing.
“Why?” Lucas asked.
Brad ignored him, thank God. Which meant I could, too.
“How’s Clive faring?” Brad glanced behind him.
Clive was in business casual attire, but he somehow made khaki shorts look like suit pants. He stared at Teddy with a stern expression while my coworker rambled on about his connections, probably trying to add Clive to them.
“Taking one for the team right now.” Lucas’s face dropped. Then hardened as he looked, broad-faced, at me.
I shriveled back. That look could make armies march. It was terrifying and arousing at the same time. Brad had hot friends, I had to admit. But then, birds of a feather…
“Relax, bro,” Brad said. To me, he said, “Lucas wears a dick face right after he sticks his foot in his mouth.”
I raised my hands in defense. “It’s fine. I’m not a fan. If you want me to help Clive throw him overboard, I’d be in. Just give me the word.”
Confusion marred Lucas’s face before it melted into humor. “Fiery, huh?”
“Very,” Brad said.
“You guys are starting to be annoying.” I scowled at them and took a sip. Then sighed as I soaked in the beauty around me.
The soft spring air flung my hair about as we drifted through the water. Diamond Head rose up beside us, overlooking the ocean. Behind us, the sun sank toward the horizon.
“This is the life,” I said, letting my eyes lose focus and just taking it all in. “It really is beautiful here.”
“First time?” Brad asked, surprise etching his voice.
“Mine?” I glanced at him.
“Who else am I talking to?”
“Well?” I took another sip. “It wouldn’t be the first time I answered someone who wasn’t speaking to me.”
“Example,” Brad said, his eyes rooted to my face.
I smiled. “I have no business repeating this, but this one time I was in a cafe, and a woman asked, ‘When was your last poop?’”
“I’m sorry…did you say poop?” Lucas leaned down to survey me.
“Yeah. I thought it was weird too. So I was like, ‘It’s really none of your business, but this morning. Why?’”
“You actually answered?” Lucas turned and barked a laugh at the ocean.
“I have this problem that when people ask me a direct question, I just answer. I can’t help it. I can’t even lie. I just open my mouth, and the truth comes out.”
“I don’t believe that. If you wanted to, you could lie.”
“Yes, but you’d be able to tell. Trust me. I’m a terrible liar when someone asks me a question point-blank.”
“Do you want to keep your job?” Brad asked quietly, his eyes losing their glimmer.
Fear punched me in the face. “Why? What have you heard?” I looked at Lucas—the presumable source of said information.
Lucas put his hands up. “This has nothing to do with me. I’m still assessing the competition.”
“Do you want to keep your job?” Brad asked again, more directly this time.
I tried to formulate the word “yes,” or just smile and abstain from answering altogether, but it was like I was hypnotized. I just stared at him and said, “I’m terrified of losing a job in general, but I don’t much like this one. It would probably be a relief to get unemployment while I look for another.”
Thankfully, I’d at least whispered.
“Yikes,” Lucas said. “You are definitely going to regret revealing your kryptonite to us.”
“Hindsight,” I said, glaring at Brad for all I was worth. “Usually I can at least abstain so my coworkers, who are ten feet away, won’t hear. That was a dick thing to do.”
Brad’s eyes lit on fire as Lucas looked down at him. “Necessary,” Brad said. “This way you can be…friends with…Lucas after he makes whatever decision he has to.”