Page 18 of The Lamb and the Llama
“I brought an old friend with me,” Gregor said while smiling and stepping into the office, a pint-sized Harriet Hopper walking in behind him.
“Stan! It’s good to see you,” Harriet greeted. “I hope you don’t mind, but I knew the best route to get here. My father-in-law is completely safe.”
“You always were a great FUC agent, Harriet. How is King Lear? And Carol?”
“They’re both good. SHIT is on their mind, of course, but the rest of the Scooby Gang is there helping them out.”
“Well, this assignment just got a lot easier,” Stan said with a smile. “You know Richard, right?”
“Of course!” Harriet beamed at him. “Good to see you again.”
“You too, your Royal Highness… Harriet,” Richard said.
Harriet waved a hand. “It’s just Harriet. I don’t do the formalities when I’m on the job.”
“I’m Amira,” she said, standing from the desk to properly introduce herself to the former king and then Harriet. “It’s nice to meet the famous Harriet Hopper. You’re a legend around here.” Amira extended her hand. Harriet shook it and smiled.
“It’s nice to meet a fellow FUC. I’ve heard you’re on course to make an outstanding agent.”
“Thank you, Harriet!” Amira said with a bright smile.
“So, Harriet, are you familiar with where we’re going tonight, The Joint?” Richard asked, glancing over at Amira before locking onto Harriet.
“I’ve looked over the schematics, yes.”
“The big thing to know is that there are no cameras around the bathrooms. Just one facing a door leading to the back alley between both lavatories.”
Amira blushed at the mention of the bathrooms, and the memory of what she’d propositioned Richard to do there, but luckily no one seemed to notice. She’d prayed it was just a proposition. If it was anything else? Well? Her mouth went dry. She quickly swallowed and tried to focus on their meeting instead of her lusty thoughts about having her way with Richard.
“That will pose a slight problem,” Harriet replied. “Amira and I obviously can’t go with my father-in-law to the bathroom.”
“No, but Richard or I can,” Stan piped up.
“Oh, awesome! You are both coming with us! I think between the four of us, we will be okay protecting the former king. Shall we head out?”
“Yes! Let me get my jacket and keys,” Richard said, glancing over at Amira.
“I’ll grab mine as well. Meet you in the parking garage, guys?”
“Sounds like a plan!” Harriet said.
Amira followed Richard into his office. It was now or never. There was no way she could get through the whole night without some sort of acknowledgment about what had happened between them. She took in a breath before speaking.
“Can I talk to you later? It’s about last night and what happened between us.”
Richard’s face finally softened again. “Of course. I kinda wanted to talk to you about it, too, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. Things are a little fuzzy for me.” He brought his palm to the back of his neck and shifted from one foot to the other.
Amira placed a palm on Richard’s arm. His tense muscles suddenly relaxed under her palm.
“I honestly hadn’t planned to say anything for the same reason. Then flashes came to me, and I’ll admit I was a little embarrassed at how I acted.”
“I’m glad to know it’s not just me. But let’s talk later. Right now, we’ve got a job to do.”
Amira smiled and nodded at him, and the two headed for the elevator. Richard pressed the button for the garage, and they headed for his car. As he opened the driver’s side, Stan came into view and was heading for his own car.
“Stan, we should take only two cars. “
“Good idea.”
