Page 36 of The Main Event

“Actually, I think you’re right.”

Something occurred to me. “What do you think is the better idea for a time machine?”

“Hmm?” Confusion crinkled the corners of Levi’s eyes.

“You said that shopping was a bad idea. What would you do if you had a time machine?”

“Oh, I would go back in time and make it so Nickelback never forms. I’m not sure how I would do it—like, I wouldn’t murder anybody or anything—but their music is a blight on humanity. I would make it so I never have to hear one of their songs again.”

“Wow.” I shook my head. “And here I thought you were going to say something like you were going back to stop Hitler.”

Levi made a scoffing noise. “Come on. I’m strong. I can’t take on an entire army.”

“Good point. I…” Whatever I was going to say died on my lips as Tammy sauntered over to our table. She looked like a cat who had swallowed a canary but still needed to swallow. Rather than comment on that, I just waited. Tammy was not the sort of person who could keep her thoughts to herself.

“Taking a break?” she asked primly.

I exchanged a knowing look with Levi. Tammy liked to pretend she was totally fine with breaks, but in reality, she was timing you to make sure that you didn’t stretch it past your allotted fifteen minutes.

“Actually, we’re talking about the Hoult party,” I lied. “Betsy is going with a Barbie theme and Levi agreed to dress as Ken behind the bar for the party.”

Levi shot me a death glare. He didn’t dare deny what I said, though. Tammy would put a demerit in his file if he wasn’t careful. “I told her I need an ‘I am Kenough’ shirt if we were going to do it up right,” he said dryly.

“They went for the gold package, so we’re looking good,” I added. “We should have the contracts signed in a few days.”

“Oh, well, that’s good.” Tammy almost looked disappointed that she couldn’t hand out demerits. “I’m glad things are working out.”

“Me, too. Do you need anything else?”

“A mirror perhaps,” Levi suggested.

Tammy’s eyebrows, which were too thin in my opinion, moved toward one another. “Why would I need a mirror?”

“That’s just an interesting pantsuit,” I replied. “Vintage?”

“Oh, no, I bought it at the outlet mall a few weeks ago.” She ran her hands over it. “Nice, huh?”

“It’s very eye-catching,” I replied. “Are you wearing it somewhere special, tonight?”’

“Yes, Jaxson and I have a special work dinner this evening.” Her smile was of the feral cat variety. “We’re going to Turner’s Seafood.”

I swear it felt as if she’d hit me in the stomach with a baseball bat. Of all the things I thought she was going to tell me, that was dead last on the list. “You and Jax are going to dinner?”

“Like on a date?” Levi prodded.

“It’s not a date,” Tammy replied. “It’s a working dinner.” The twinkle in her eye told me she thought it was going to turn into more.

“Well, have fun,” I said when I was reasonably assured I could speak without choking on my own tongue. “I’m sure it will be a wonderful meal.”

“I’m sure it will too.” With that, she turned on her heel and flounced out of the bar.

“Why would the boss be going out to dinner with her?” Levi asked when she was no longer within hearing distance. “He hates her.”

“Well, you know what they say.” I forced myself to be bright and cheery, even though I was feeling the opposite. “There’s a thin line between love and hate.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s what’s going on. He’d much rather have you drool over his butt than her.”

I wasn’t in the mood to play this game. “I don’t really care what they do.” I forced myself to stand. “I’m going to start pulling the options for the Hoult party. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

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