Page 33 of Fighting a Riot

“That’s a plan. I’ll text you when I get there because I don’t trust myself if I see that Mia chick.”

I chuckled. “Gotcha.”

From her cubicle, Mia asked, “Was that your new biker boyfriend?”

I pressed my lips together, grateful Mia couldn’t see my expression. She had some gall to ask that question in such a snotty tone. “No. I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“He stood very close to you.”

It surprised me that she would willingly bring that up. The phone on my desk rang and I’d never been so grateful to answer it.

“Nora, it’s John. Before your appointment today, I need you to get me the latest quarterly estimates.”

“Absolutely.”

“You can take the afternoon off if you want.”

“I appreciate that, but it isn’t necessary. Not today anyway.”

“I’m going to trust you on that, Nora. But don’t hesitate to ask for time if you need it.”

Ten minutes later, I had just sent the reports to John when Mia leaned on the side of my cube holding a cup of tea.

I glanced at her. “Do you need something?”

She tugged the tea bag up and down. “You know you’re getting involved with the mafia on two wheels, right?”

“Mia, I just got dumped by my fiancé. It’s a little too soon for me to get ‘involved’ with anyone.”

The fact Yak gave me an orgasm five days ago wasn’t any of her business, but it didn’t count as being involved with him.

“Then why did he come with you on Sunday?”

I swiveled in my chair to face her. “Because I got left behind at my own bachelorette party by someone I thought was my friend.” I shook my head. “Is there something work-related you need?”

Her lips curved into a fake smile. “Just trying to help you out. I’d hate for you to get caught up with the wrong people. His vest had a one-percenter patch on it, but maybe you hadn’t noticed.”

There were numerous patches on Yak’s leather vest, but I hadn’t paid many of them much attention.

My phone chimed and I saw Trixie’s text. I leaned over to pull open my desk drawer, forcing Mia to step back. “Thanks for the… concern. I have to run.”

Her eyes widened like a thought just struck her. “Oh, you have your first appointment today, right?”

I tucked my wristlet under my arm, grabbed my phone, stood, and used my foot to shove the drawer closed. “Second appointment, actually.”

Her expression dimmed. “Oh. I hope it goes your way, Nora. Believe it or not, I mean that.”

I nodded, but with her hollow tone, I didn’t believe a word out of her mouth.

Two blocks from the hospital, Trixie stopped at a traffic light. “You… are something else.”

I twisted my head to look at her profile. “Why? Because I have cancer?”

She grinned and shook her head. “No, because with anybody else I speak my mind and let it all hang out. You got in my car and I’ve been toying with how to say what I want or ask what’s on my mind. It’s weird that I react that way to you.”

I chuckled. “If you say so. Don’t let me keep you from speaking out.”

The light changed and she kept her eyes on the road. “Then tell me what had you looking so dejected when you came out of your office. I get this isn’t some routine check-up and shit, but you looked especially bummed.”

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