Page 18 of Spike

“See anything youlike?” Jenson asked.

I met Trixie’seyes for the umpteenth time and nodded. “Yeah.”

She blushed asJenson bristled. “I meant in the book.”

“Jens,” she groundout, her tone one of warning. She craned her head toward him and I saw himshrug before she faced me again. “Ignore him.”

“It’s all good.” Ichuckled. “Your stuff’s good, man. Gonna think about it.”

Jenson gave me achin lift.

“Jenson, yourappointment’s here,” Devlin called.

“We’ll leave youto do your thing,” Trixie said, hugging her brother.

“Dinner next week,okay?” he asked her. “My treat.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“I’ll walk youout,” I offered, half expecting Trixie’s big brother to object, but he simplygave me the side eye before I followed the women out to the front of the shop.

The phone wasringing as we passed by the empty desk and it didn’t stop for several seconds.

“Is no one aroundto answer the phones?” Trixie asked.

I shook my head.“Devlin’s had a hell of a time getting good help.”

Before she couldask another question, the phones started again.

“What’s the nameof the shop again?” Trixie asked.

“Laughing CrowInk.”

She moved behindthe desk and answered the phone. “Laughing Crow Ink, how may I help you? He’swith a client right now, can I take a message?” Grabbing a pad of paper besidethe phone, she opened a couple of drawers before finding a pen. “And you triedhis cell? Oh, okay. No, I’m sorry, I can’t give that information out, but I’llbe sure to give him the message. Of course. No problem.” She hung up and lookedour way. “What?”

“Babe, you justanswered that phone like you owned the place,” Gemma said.

Trixie shrugged.“It’s the same phone system I use at work. Plus, the call was for Jens, so Iknew exactly where he was. Easy-peasy.” She pulled out her phone and sent atext. “Now, the message has been delivered, and we can go.”

“Do you need ajob?” I asked her.

“Nope, butthanks.”

“Did someone grabthe phones?” Devlin asked, rushing through the curtains.

“That was me,”Trixie said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep. When I hear a phone, myPavlovian instinct is to make it stop.”

Devlin chuckled.“Do you need a job?”

“That’s what Iasked her,” I said.

“No, thank you,”Trixie said with a smile. “I’ve got a great one.”

“Well, if thatever changes, will you let me know?” Devlin asked.

“Sure,” she said.

“It was great tomeet you.”

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