Page 43 of Under the Ink

Then, before she could respond, he added,I’m buying, of course.

And then another:I had something business related I wanted to talk with you about. So think of it as a working lunch if that helps.

Her response was simple and almost unexpected.Okay. I should be back there in five minutes.

He was looking forward to it way more than he should have. But he hadn’t been lying. Hedidneed to talk with her.

True to her word, she appeared in front of him just minutes later. Her makeup somehow seemed harsher than usual—unless it was the message on her t-shirt that was registering with him. The fabric was light pink and the lettering soft and smooth, fitting for a sweet, loving message. But, in black lettering, it said,Sarcasm is my most positive trait.

He had to admit to himself that he appreciated how her clothing reflected her personality.

“You hungry?”

“Interesting. You never asked that in your texts.”

With a grin, he said, “You’re funny. So?”

“I could eat a little, I think.”

“Good. Let’s go.” In silence, the two of them walked away from the bus and crossed the street. The restaurant in question was halfway down the block, and Sage swore he could smell it from where they stood.

“You said you had business to discuss.”

“Did I?”

“Yeah. You don’t remember?” she asked, pulling her cell phone out of her back pocket.

“Idoneed to talk to you about something, but let’s wait till we’re indoors.” And, once inside, he’d make sure he didn’t see any of the road crew before having that conversation with her. It would be better if no one else heard it.

“Oh. The mystery. The drama. I’m on the edge of my seat.”

Pulling the door open for her, Sage said, “Ah. There’s that personality trait coming out.”

Naomi actually smiled. “It’s a service I offer free of charge.”

Grinning, he shook his head, enjoying her quick wit if nothing else.

Soon they were seated, menus in hand, glasses of water and chips and salsa on the table. She asked, “So what’s this business anyway?”

“Have you decided what you’re going to eat?”

“I won’t have an appetite until I know what you need to say.”

In a split second, Sage decided what he wanted to eat in case they had to order before he was done—because she wasn’t going to rest until he’d broached the subject. “You are awfully impatient.” And then he realized this maybe wasn’t a good topic to discuss over food anyway.

But it didn’t matter. They were here and he’d already brought it up. “Did something happen between you and Andy last night?”

No matter what came out of her mouth next, the way her pupils enlarged told him that what the bus driver had mentioned to him and Johnny earlier was true. Although the driver didn’t have any details—mainly because he was keeping them on the road safe and sound—he’d conveyed that he thought maybe Andy was getting a little too friendly with Naomi.

Uninvited.

If Naomi was interested in Andy and wanted to pursue a relationship with the guy, Sage would back off. He didn’t want to, but he wouldn’t be an asshole about it. On the other hand, if Andy was trying to force something that wasn’t there, it was his obligation as her employer to step in.

An unusual occurrence considering up till now, their road crew had always been one-hundred percent male. But that didn’t mean they could ignore this shit.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just asking if he…if he made unwanted advances.” He didn’t know if he was saying things the proper way but his intent wasn’t to be perfect, even if that was what the people in suits back in the office buildings managing their albums would have wanted. Instead, he wanted to connect with her as a person and as a friend to make sure she was okay.

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