Page 6 of Craving Chaos

“It was a day. I’m glad it’s almost over.”

“That good, huh?”

“I guess it wasn’t all bad. Just a pain dealing with people. At least when you deal with people, they’re all smiles and happy for you to order them around.” I shoot her a smirk. Mari’s a photographer—that’s how we met. She was out in the park for a photo shoot while I was on a run. She was too pretty to pass up. With her dark hair and angular features, she could be in front of a camera rather than behind it. But that’s not her style.

“Right, and no one is ever fussy when they see the final shots from a shoot. Nope. Always perfectly satisfied.” Her brightly sang words are soaking in sarcasm.

“Alright, so you might know a little something about dealing with annoying people,” I admit with a wink.

“I took a couple up to my spot for an engagement shoot at sunset a few days ago. They hated it. Had to reschedule the whole thing. I think they’re going to end up doing a studio shoot. Can you imagine?” She stares incredulously.

“They didn’t like the rooftop?” I know exactly what spot she’s talking about. She’s taken me up there a couple of times, and I have to agree that it’s pretty amazing. Gorgeous views of the river at sunset. I had a little trouble enjoying it, however, because it’s awfully romantic. Sometimes I get the sense Mari wants more. She hasn’t ever pushed the matter, so I could be wrong. I think more than anything, I project my own concerns about stringing her along. She seems totally content with our sporadic interludes.

“They said the place was dirty and old.” She rolls her eyes. “Some people have no vision.”

“Gotta trust the professional.” I wink at her, then take the last cutlet out of the browning pan and place it on a tray and into the oven. “Dinner will be ready in about fifteen.”

“It already smells delish. Anything I can do to help?”

“Don’t think so—” I’m washing my hands when my phone rings. It’s my cousin Conner. “I have to take this, sorry.” I give her a thin smile and lift the phone to my ear. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Just checking to see if everything seemed okay today from your end.”

“Yeah, looks like it’s all there, and I think the delay was legit. That had to be the oldest forklift I’ve ever seen. Not that I see a ton of them, but still.”

“Good. Renzo said he’d let me know when we can come by next week to try again.”

“It’s all you, cuz. He and I didn’t exactly hit it off.”

Conner sighs. “Why is it you get on with people I’d rather you didn’t and piss off important allies?”

A voice I know well hollers in the background. “Is that my Shae? Got good instincts, that one. You’d do well to follow her lead.” It’s our grandmother Nana Byrne, my favorite person in our whole family.

“That’s right, Conner. You should listen to the woman. She’s very wise.” I’m grinning because I can already hear him grumbling on the other end of the phone.

“She’s something, alright. Told me I had to come out to help with a pest problem. I’m thinking ants or mice, and she tells me to get Paddy out of the house ’cause she’s sick of his snoring.”

I burst out laughing because that is so Nana.

“Yeah, laugh it up,” Conner mutters.

“That’s what you get for not being on my side. That guy intentionally pushed my buttons, and I’m not going to let that shit slide. You wouldn’t either.”

“Whatever, Shae.” His exasperation entertains me way more than it should. “I guess I’ll handle it from here.”

I grin. “Works for me. Give Nana a hug for me.”

My cousin only grunts before hanging up.

“That your family?” Mari asks.

“Yeah, one of my cousins.”

Mari doesn’t know anything about the nature of our family business or the life I lead. I’m particularly careful about what I say when she’s around. She thinks I’m a self-defense instructor, and in a way, I am. I help out sometimes at the gym where I train.

I’m tidying up my mess on the counter when Mari hugs me from behind. We’re the same height, so her chin rests easily on my shoulder. We sway for a second before she stills and sniffs my neck.

“Is that … cologne?”

---