Page 175 of White Raven
Annie lifted her chin, glancing at Brent before narrowing her eyes at Cece. “I’ve never had a golden ticket, Miss Parks. Only a second chance. I won’t be blowing that chance on getting that corner office the same way you apparently did.” It was all Brent could do to keep his composure, but C.J. looked like she couldn’t believe she was talking to a ten-year-old and wanted to hire her on the spot. “I’ll make you proud, Brent.”
He scooted the pen toward her small hand and smiled down at her as they locked eyes. “You already do, kid.” She signed her name, and stood, shaking hands with Cece, and then coming around the table to squeeze him around the waist. Brent clenched his teeth with emotion.
“Tell her not to get too comfortable,” Annie sniffled. “As soon as I get boobs, you’re in trouble.”
“Annie DeVord!” Vanessa laughed.
Ever since Nell’s catalog had been returned, along with the missing items Sykes had stashed, Sarah had trouble looking at the number of zeroes that Nell’s appraisal colleagues had determined on Poe’s pieces. Wren and Brent had insisted they be given to her…for obvious reasons. Athan had been completely fine with Nell’s fortune being left to Wren, and plans had already been made to have the remains of her ashes spread where she’d asked. That left Sarah to figure out what to do with these priceless bits of American history…history she no longer wanted to think about. They had decided together that they’d auction off every piece but the original that Athan had gifted part of on the morning he’d asked her to marry him.
Poe clicked his beak on her shoulder as she scrolled through offers on her laptop. “They’re selling a lot quicker than I thought they would,” she admitted, biting her bottom lip.
“I told you that’d probably be the case. You sure you still wanna do it?” Athan asked, sliding on his stomach across the couch to rest his chin on her thigh.
“Yeah. It’s our ticket out of here. I’m ready to put this shit behind us.”
He playfully bit her thigh. “I would have gotten us there without that.”
“I know.” She closed the laptop, and set it on the coffee table, fingering through his hair. “It’s what I want. We’ve still got a couple things left to do in Boston. Are you wearing that?” Shepointed at his outfit. Athan drew his brows and followed her line of sight.
“Are you seriously coming down on me for a band t-shirt and jeans?”
Sarah grinned adoringly. “You wore that forme, didn’t you…”
He rolled his eyes, and got up, sliding a cigarette into his mouth and cupping his hands around it. “Psh…arrogant.”
Sarah stood, locking Poe into his cage, and creeping up behind him as he gathered his stuff on the kitchen counter. “You don’t even listen to them, stupid,” she smiled, smoothing her arms around him and pressing a cheek to his back. “Tell me you love me, without telling me you love me.”
“No idea what you’re talking about,” he smiled, blowing smoke.
“Uh-huh. So, we’re gonna test your speakers in the car on the way, then?”
“Christ,” Athan griped, shaking his head.
“That’s what I figured.” Sarah turned him around, stealing his cigarette as she pressed her lips to his mouth. “I know why you wore it. Same band I was wearing the night I first saw you.”
“Maybe,” he smiled, kissing her back.
“Smooth move, detective.”
“I try,” he shrugged. “You ready?”
“Areyou?You’re the dinosaur that doesn’t watch movies or T.V.”
Athan pulled his leather jacket on and smirked knowingly. “This was a book way before it was a movie.”
“Nerd,” she grinned, handing him back his cigarette, and grabbing her jacket.
“Go ahead and pretend you didn’t read it first.”
Sarah walked to the door, opening it and looking over her shoulder. “I sure did.”
Some might say that the tiny movie theater was in a sketchier part of town, but it was by far the best one. Cheap, and rife with all the best older films. The building itself only had two theaters, and the seats were extra squeaky and ancient…Rhaena would love this. They all parked across the street and gathered before making their way over together.
“I’ve never seen this place before in my life,” Brent said, dragging behind Wren who was catching up to Sarah’s side.
“You wouldn’t have, bitch-boy. This is the reject table. The last time we were here, me and Sarah saw‘The Rocky’.” Wren nudged her with an elbow, and Sarah shot her a warning look.
“Shut up,” she bit, wagging a finger.
