Page 70 of The Thief

Hope

If you two love it, we trust you

“Wow,” I said, staring in surprise at my phone. “They want two.”

Joy flagged down another sales associate. “Hi there. What’s your name?”

He gave her a bashful smile. “Dan.”

She hooked her arm in his. “Well, Dan, we’re about to make your day.”

Three hours later, we’d purchased two couches, several lamps, a recliner, and a large television. Everything but the lamps would be delivered. Tak and Hope still hadn’t decided where to hook up the television, but fortunately our living room was large enough for multiple seating areas. A sectional was likely in our future.

I sipped my strawberry lemonade at the outdoor patio where Joy and I had been relaxing for the past twenty minutes.

“I can’t believe you talked them down in price,” I remarked, impressed by Joy’s savvy negotiation skills. “That was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen.”

Joy finished her second hot fudge sundae. “I have experience negotiating terms. Since I was an entertainer for hire, I had to negotiate my own pay. In the beginning, I was naïve and accepted whatever they offered. People will always take advantage if you let them. It’s important that everyone walks away happy. Our negative encounter with Josh made it that much easier.” She set down her spoon. “Do you think Tak will appreciate the discount or be offended? I don’t mean to imply he can’t afford it.”

I crossed my legs and leaned back in the metal chair. “The way we’ve been spending money on the house, he’ll be thrilled. I can’t wait to sit my tushy on something besides wooden chairs. The only place I can get comfortable is my own bedroom, and I don’t like shutting myself away all the time.”

“We need to make sure Catcher and the other wolves don’t jump on the new furniture.” Joy wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Thank you for inviting me along. I really needed this.” She turned her face to the wind and closed her eyes.

I’d thought furniture shopping would be a welcome distraction, but all the wandering around had me thinking. What in the world had I said about Bear in front of everyone? And did I say anything else to embarrass myself at the Rabbit Lounge? With this Argento guy hanging around, I wasn’t sure if getting in a serious relationship was a good idea. I first needed to call this guy and have a conversation—figure out what he wanted and see if there was something I could offer him in exchange to disappear. Until I sorted out my problems, my personal relationships would have to take a back seat.

“You’ve been quiet.” Joy remarked. “Is something on your mind? Is it that Mage from the bar?”

“Kinda. It’s a whole lotta things.” I swatted at a pesky fly. “Mostly I’m wondering if Bear drove home and forgot about us.”

“I wouldn’t mind. It’s been such a pleasant day. We should enjoy it now before the weather gets hotter.” She touched a sheen of sweat on her upper lip.

An older female briskly approached our table and collected the empty glasses and dishes. “How is everything, ladies? Can I get you another ice cream?”

Joy patted her stomach. “No, but thank you. Everything was scrumptious!” After the lady whisked away our dirty dishes, Joy asked, “Do you think everything’s been invented with food? Sometimes I think it has, but I had this great idea about potato chips and ice cream.”

I grimaced at the thought.

“Think about it,” she insisted. “Sweet and salty.”

“The chips would get soggy.”

She twisted her mouth to the side. “Maybe crushed and sprinkled on top.”

I laughed. “You sure have strange eating habits.”

“I’m sure they said the same to Ben and Jerry.” Joy waved. “Look! There he is.”

Bear’s black SUV parked by the curb. When he exited the vehicle and rounded the front, my tummy fluttered. Something about the way he looked in those sunglasses and a tight long-sleeved shirt turned me on. If he had emerged from the vehicle shirtless, I would have expired on the sidewalk.

“What in the world is that?” I pointed at the large trailer hitched to the back.

He pulled out a chair to my left, the metal legs scraping against the concrete. “A smoker trailer.”

“Is that for work or the pack?” I asked.

“I paid for it, so it’s mine. If I ever want to make a smoked lunch at the bar, I’ll haul it up there. But it’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. Now we can have a real cookout.”

I smiled at his enthusiasm. “That thing looks like it’ll feed an army.”

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