Page 69 of Smooth Sailing

“I don’t know. Six?” she answered.

“I’ll bring the beer again,” Eight said.

“Also some wine,” she put in. “White. Sauvignon blanc or a buttery chardonnay.”

“Buttery chardonnay. I’ll get right on that,” Eight replied, looking like he was about to bust a gut trying not to laugh.

Hugger felt him.

Diana Armitage was something, and fuck him standing, all of it was good.

“We’re also gonna get right on giving Diana some cake. She’s not feedin’ this crew without reimbursement,” Hugger entered the conversation.

“I’ll see to that too…Harlan,” Eight gave him shit.

“That isn’t necessary,” Diana stated.

“It is,” Hugger and Eight said in unison.

“It really isn’t,” Diana asserted.

“What it is, is not up for discussion,” Hugger returned.

“Bluh,” she grunted adorably, giving in.

Fucking torturing him.

“Hup,” Eight uttered, jerking up his chin.

Hugger and Diana turned to see a big shiny SUV rolling in.

The thing was, they knew who was behind the wheel, so it wasn’t the Phoenix cop.

“This just got even more interesting,” Eight murmured.

“Who’s that?” Diana asked.

“Kai Mason,” Hugger answered.

“You know him?” she queried as Mason swung in and parked.

“He’s from Denver. Moved down here to expand their business,” Hugger shared.

“And that business is?”

He looked down at her. “Investigations and security. And before you ask, yeah, they’re good. The best.”

“Why’s he here?” She was watching Mace walk toward them.

“Because Scott can’t tell us dick,” Eight said. “But Mace can.”

Proof.

Detective Rayne Scott was solid.

They waited until Mace got to them.

“Eight,” Mace greeted on a handshake.

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