Page 140 of Caged

“I didn’t expect the tour to be that big of an event,” he said.

“It’s not, but it’s Cate’s first time back in the office since,” Jay paused but didn’t finish. He didn’t need to; we all knew why.

“Understood. Maybe we should go to Grannie’s after the tour, so I can actually enjoy the place.”

Chapter 52

Jay

When we got to the office, there was a huge, colorful banner strung across our door.

Welcome Back Beauty and the Beast.

“Beauty and the Beast?” I asked.

“It was Meg’s idea,” Jack said, ratting out his wife. “She said just because you work here, didn’t mean you shouldn’t get proper call signs.”

“We have proper call signs,” Cate said, sounding confused. She turned to Meg and asked, “Why didn’t you want to use them?”

Meg smiled. “You were lost, not working with the team.”

“Why would that matter?” I asked.

“Why Beauty and the Beast?” Cate asked.

“The perfect enemies to lovers couple.” Meg looked so pleased at being correct about Cate and me that I couldn’t helpbut laugh.

“And Beast fits you,” Jack added. “Or at least, it did.” He clapped me on the back. “Though maybe less so in the future.” He lifted his head towards Cate.

General Maxwell wore the same expression as my dad as they watched the back and forth—a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“Some days it’s like working in a high school,” Dad said.

“What about high school?” AJ asked as he entered the lobby from the back, holding Blake’s hand. Poor girl practically had to run to keep up with him anytime he forgot to adjust his stride for her short legs. I looked at Cate, glad she wasn’t a foot shorter than me.I don’t know how AJ deals with it.

“Dealing with this crew,” Dad said. “AJ Janerek, you remember General Maxwell?”

“Good to see you again, sir.” They shook hands. He turned to me. “Permission to hug?”

“Dude, no. I’m not hugging you,” I answered.

“Not you. Maxwell.”

I knew he meant Cate, but decided to have a little fun at his expense. “I don’t think the General wants to hug you either.”

“Why are you asking him?” Cate asked, one hand on her hip.

“Because, I don’t want to get my ass kicked,” AJ answered with a grin.

“Who’s kicking your butt this time?” Doug asked as he entered with Beth and Chase.

“Great, just what we need, another clown in the circus,” I said, rolling my eyes.

After another introduction, General Maxwell said, “It’s a miracle you get anything done around here.” His tone and smile making it clear he was joking.

“When the crap hits the fan, there’s no one else I’d rather have at my back,” my dad said, adjusting his language for Chase’s little ears.

AJ and Doug each hugged Cate, then insisted on hugging me too. Chase made his way around the room, hugging everyone. When he finally made it to us, he took one look at our faces and stopped dead in his tracks.

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