Page 30 of Ghosted in Arkadia
I look up at James through my lashes before arching an eyebrow.
“You getting bored with your life again, James? Need to live vicariously through me? Why don’t you wait for everyone else to get here so I can provide you all with free tickets to the shit show?”
Silence stretches between us until it’s broken when James bursts into laughter. I join in, feeling the sweet release of some of the internal frustrations flowing out of me. There is something liberating about being able to be a bitch for a minute just to depressurize the backflow.
The mateless get it.
Even wearing glasses, Killian sticks out with a look of confusion, but I notice the slight tip of his lips. He’ll get there.
James leans down. “He must be good if you’re not sharing. I’m happy for you, Kira.”
Before a reply can come to me, a beep sounds from the coffeepot. James backs off, grinning like we share a secret before turning and walking past Killian to grab two cups.
“No sugar?” James asks, looking back.
“And a fuck-load of cream,” Killian replies for me.
James’ gaze shifts from me to Killian and then back. The smile on his face is wide enough to make me fear for the muscles of his cheeks. “Yeah, she does.”
I roll my eyes, laughing to myself before glancing down at Rex. He is looking at me with one intelligent eye. It rolls before he lets out a huff and settles in for another day of naps. A cup of coffee lands on my desk and I look up to see Killian rather than James. His hand is still wrapped around my cup.
“Are you holding it hostage until I give up details?” I ask, looking pointedly toward his tight grip.
“Sorry.” He shakes his head before releasing his hold and walking back to his desk without another word.
I take a sip while contemplating the mood of the room.
The exchange with Killian leaves me feeling strange, and I can’t figure out why. It could have something to do with the loss of his soulmate. Maybe he assumed that the mateless do not have sex since they don’t have soulmates. An absurd idea that unfortunately is an all-too-common type of thinking the mated fall victim to. We might as well be different species. It’s something he will figure out when he’s ready. One day, he might want to fuck someone that isn’t his dead wife.
I can’t help him with that. That feels more like a bromance type of subject.
“James,” I say, looking around until our gazes meet. “Good job on the coffee.” I give a thumbs up, then signal with my eyes toward Killian. James’ eyes follow, flicking toward Killian and then at my gesture and back once more for confirmation before giving me a look of confusion.
“Good,” James says with hesitation, like he plans to say more. “I think.”
I give him a look and I hope he understands the message.
Go check on your friend.
James nods like he understands, but he doesn’t get up or start a conversation with Killian. I shake my head and turn forward to enjoy my cup of coffee and get through the first half of the day. The boys can figure their shit out on their own.
Captain arrives and does a double take as he passes by my desk. “Someone is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.” He stops and smiles at me.
It isn’t a comforting smile. It’s the kind that suggests I will not like something, but if it’s served with a smile, I might not hit him in response.
“Please don’t tell me I have to write reports for the day,” I whine.
“Not reports,” Captain says, his tone less than reassuring. I can’t think of anything worse than reports. “There’s an overhaulof evidence gathered from the raid, and I need all hands on deck.”
“Computers?” I laugh, while Captain looks even more worried that I am about to punch him. “You know they hate me as much as I hate them.”
“Work with Killian, he isn’t half bad,” Captain says, shifting his gaze toward Killian’s desk.
“Sure,” I shrug, not understanding why Captain is so concerned. I chalk it up to the new kid gloves he has donned when handling me since the deaths.
Captain goes back to his office, and Killian looks over at me. “What do you mean, computers hate you?”
“You’ll see. There’s a reason I still work with paper reports rather than the digital ones everyone else uses.” I smirk.
