Page 23 of Wild Justice

Right now, he could be at the beach drinking umbrella drinks, driving a flashy convertible, and making passes at twenty-two-year-old cocktail waitresses. He had a buddy from boarding school who was doing exactly that. Nice guy, too.

“That’s under control. I just want to make sure that the paper stays relevant.”

It sounded lame as hell, and she didn’t look fooled. The newspaper was barely relevant, and it wasn’t going to get much better. He was rearranging deck chairs on theTitanic, in a way. He didn’t have any magic pixie dust to sprinkle around, no amazing and stupendous business idea that would change the way the world viewed journalism. He didn’t have the answer that would make thatHarper Gazettesuddenly fly off the shelves.

By cutting back on printing costs - the lion’s share of his expenses - he was just breaking even. This special printing was going to bust that budget all to hell. He was going to do it anyway. If that made him a terrible businessman, then so be it.

From her dubious expression, she didn’t believe him, but she invited him in anyway.

“I was just about to put this pizza in the oven. Are you hungry?”

“I just realized I haven’t eaten today. So, yes. Thank you.”

“Are you picky about toppings? It’s sausage and cheese.”

“I’m not. I’ll pretty much eat anything except cauliflower, green beans, and strawberries. I’m allergic to strawberries.”

“I’m not fond of them so you’re safe. Want something to drink? I can offer you water, milk, soda, or orange juice.”

“I shouldn’t but I’ll say soda. Thanks.”

His gaze ran over the small apartment. Neat as a pin, but compact. The kitchen and living room were one space. He assumed that there was a bedroom and bathroom down the hall to his right.

Where did Henry sleep? With Lulu?

Stop thinking about who she’s sleeping with. It’s none of your business.

“Where’s Henry?”

Shit, now I can’t keep my mouth shut. This is great.

“He’s at the coffee shop working. He likes to have some noise around him. He says the silence is uncomfortable.” Lulu slid the pizza into the oven before pouring each of them a glass of soda. “And no, he’s not my boyfriend. Everyone asks that, and the answer is no. He’s my best friend, though.”

Kai couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering to that hallway. Lulu noticed.

“He sleeps on the couch. It folds out. This apartment is only temporary anyway. As soon as the house on the ranch is ready, we’ll be moving there. He’ll have his own room and bathroom. Any other questions? I don’t know him in the biblical sense, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I wasn’t thinking that,” he responded. “At all. You’re just friends. Got it.”

Lulu had a mouth on her, which Kai respected. She didn’t play any games, and he liked that, too. She said what she meant, and she didn’t waste any time beating around the bush. That was something he was trying to get better about. Too often, he found himself talking around a subject rather than just digging in. Not in a rude way, but in a direct one. Lulu seemed like she had that mastered.

“I think you were thinking it, but you didn’t want to ask,” she said, settling down on the couch. “I assume you have more questions for me. You might as well relax and ask them. I’ll answer them if I can.”

“Lulu, are you always like this?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“Could you be more specific?”

“Straight to the point. Blunt. That sort of thing,” he explained.

“Generally, although I can be as wishy-washy as the next person if the situation calls for it. But since I assume this isn’t a social call, I thought we should get right to it. Are you the type that needs a little foreplay?”

“Foreplay?” he asked, laughing at her snark. The more time he spent with Lulu, the more he liked her. “Don’t we all need some of that? Slow down. Take your time. Life is to be savored.”

He was talking about more than sex.

“I’ll file away your advice. We can foreplay away, if you like. So…how’s your day going, Kai? How’s the weather? Do you like your job? What’s your favorite color? What’s your favorite season? Do you like pizza? What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“That’s your idea of foreplay?” he said with a grin. “Throw the kitchen sink at it and hope something sticks? You do need to slow down. You sound like you’re interrogating me.”

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