Page 78 of Play Book

“Want a donut?” Stevie asks him, wiggling the box.

He lifts his brows. “Those are my favorite.”

“Better you eat them than me,” I say, plucking one and taking a bite. The cinnamon flavor is a delight, and I close my eyes. “Fuck. That’s good.”

“We can go for a run later,” Stevie says, taking a frosting-covered donut from the box.

“I can work you guys out,” Rage offers, reaching for the box.

Stevie snorts.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“Wha—?” Rage frowns. Then his ears turn red as he realizes how we’ve misconstrued what he said. “Oh, I didn’t mean?—”

Stevie and I burst out laughing.

“We’re yanking your chain,” I say.

“Geez. A guy needs to be careful these days.”

“Yes, but not with us,” I reply. “We’re low-key around here.”

“Anyway, what are you doing to catch this fucker?” Stevie demands. “I mean, this is ridiculous. And to be honest, it makes me a little nervous to be here at night now.”

“Are you staying open late again?” Rage asks, since I usually close at six except on Fridays, when I stay open later.

“I’m teaching some art classes,” I say. “Wednesday nights from six-thirty to eight-thirty for the next six weeks. And then Wednesdays and Thursdays starting next week.”

“For now, I’ll either come myself or send one of the other guys. Grim might be available.”

“Rage, Grim…” Stevie shakes her head. “Why do you all sound so grumpy and dark?”

“Because we are?” He deadpans.

I chuckle.

He has a point.

Grumpy or not, I’m glad he’s here.

I stay home on Friday, working on a new collection of art. Instead of watercolors, I decide to use oil for these, giving them a rich, more vibrant look. The series will be three cityscapes, showing the same row of buildings at dawn, dusk, and midnight. In light of everything going on, the pencil sketch I start with is shadowy and darker than I’d been planning, and it takes a while to find the right vibe.

I’m completely lost in my work when I realize my phone is ringing, and I answer absently. “Hey, Stevie—what’s up?”

“I need a favor!” she says in a harried voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“I got a call to fill in for a music video. The money’s good and it’s right here in Hollywood. But I’d have to go right now, and that means closing the shop and you’d have to pick up Ally from school.”

“Oh.”

The gallery isn’t a big deal, but I don’t even know where Ally’s school is.

“I’ll text you all the info,” Stevie continues. “Please say yes. I haven’t done any work in months. I really need to get back out there.”

“Of course, I’ll say yes,” I say. “The gallery isn’t a priority.”

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