Page 78 of All We Need

The second the door clicks, she jumps to her feet and slams a palm down on the desk. “Whatthe fuck,Booth?Ithought we were past all this?Nowyou’re humiliating me in front of your brother?”

With careful steps and mouth sealed shut,Iround the desk.Shetracks my movement like a predator.Afew weeks ago,Iwould have matched her heat with a dumb joke.Today,Itry a new tactic.

When she’s in touching distance,Igently take her shoulders and turn her toward me.

“At no point wasIquestioning your capabilities.Yousaved me from firing him—somethingIhate doing.I’msure you did a stellar job andIhope you made his balls shrivel.”Herbrows furrow. “I’mpissed at you,Alessandra, because you did it alone.He’sa dick and a creep.Andafter his behavior at the party,Idon’t want him near you.”

Her mouth twists as she studies me.Isee the moment she believes me and her shoulders lose their tension. “Idon’t need a bodyguard.”

Laughing,Ipress my lips to her forehead without thinking. “No, you need a throne.Andmaybe some chill pills.”

She smacks my chest, lips pursed as she fights a smile.

“PoorPatrickalmost pissed himself.You’llhave to apologize.”Ismirk.

“Kiss my ass.”

“Gladly.”

While we bicker, the space between us disappears, until my hand rests on her hip, thumb moving in lazy circles beneath the hem of her sweater.

“What are you doing later?”Iblurt.Shelooks shocked, and before she can say no,Ihold up my palm. “Nota date.Getover yourself, jeez.Drinkswith the team.”

“I don’t know…”Shesteps away, fiddling with the diamond bracelet on her wrist.

“It’s tradition,”Iquickly add. “Uh, after the first shift of the year, we all go out and celebrate.C’mon, it’ll be fun.”

After some hesitancy, she agrees. “Fine.Onedrink.”

“Sounds good.Now,Ihave a job ad to put out and a few hours left untilIclock out.”Ithrow her a salute. “Wearsomething pretty, yeah?”

“Goodbye,Booth.”Hereyes roll as she sits down, trying her hardest not to react.

“Don’t miss me too much,”Ishout over my shoulder.

WhenI’ma few feet from the office,Iscurry to pull out my phone and bring up the group text.

Booth: Celebratory drinks at Shirley’s tonight

Graham: That’s not a question.

Booth: Clever boy. This isn’t an invitation, it’s a demand.

Patrick: I’m surprised you’re still breathing.

Flo: Oh, has Booth been told off again?

Quinn: What are we celebrating?

Dex: Booth finally getting laid.

Booth: *middle finger emoji*

Booth: I never ask for anything. Do this for me.

Jo: You asked me to scratch your back this morning. Literally, not metaphorically.

Booth: I couldn’t reach and you have long nails.

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