Page 15 of Fruit
“Fine,” I say because I can tell I’m not going to get anywhere with him right now, and even I know it’s uncool to make a scene at his workplace.
I turn around and leave without saying anything further.You haven’t seen the last of me, I don’t say.
He might think I’m crazy, but Dumpster Kitten and I belong together. I just know it.
**********
“And then he was like, ‘You’re dismissed, leave my office before I call security’ andkicked me out.”
“Did he really say that?” Jack says, raising one of her eyebrows. Her sharp features and short hair lend her a naturally intimidating look, but I know she’s being playful.
“Well, he very strongly insinuated it.”
Jack snorts. “What did heactuallysay?”
“It doesn’t matter. The point is, that little fucker won’t return my cat and he’s going to pay.”
“Okay, I see we’re approaching this situation rationally,” Jack says.
“Rationality is overrated,” I mutter. Jack laughs, tilting her head back against the couch we’re both sitting on. I huff. “Well,youwouldn’t think so, Sergeant Detective.”
“It’s Detective-Specialist, actually.”
“Whatever. The point is that you should arrest this guy and possibly execute him.”
“Sounds like a real bad dude. What with the running a youth centre and adopting stray cats and all.”
“It’s all a front. He’s heartless. Don’t you specialise in organised crime? You need to check his place out. I bet he’s up to all kinds of nefarious shit. He’s probably laundering money or something.”
“Through a youth centre? Yeah. Perfect front, seeing as those make so much money.”
“Okay, whose side are you on?”
“I’m Switzerland on this one.”
“I cannotbelieve—"
“Is she still talking about that guy?” Ezra asks as he comes into the living room with Joaquin, both of them brandishing large bowls of popcorn.
“Yep,” Iván says from the couch he’s sharing with his boyfriend, Isadoro. We’re all hanging out in Ezra and Joaquin’s living room, beers and snacks cluttering the tables and floors. Joaquin passes out the popcorn bowls before sitting on the remaining couch.
“Well, you know what that means,” Ezra says as he flops beside Joaquin, causing a few kernels to bounce out of his bowl and onto his lap. “Joaquin. It’s catsuit time.”
Joaquin rolls his eyes, shoving Ezra lightly.
“What’s this about a catsuit?” Iván asks.
“Joaquin volunteered to participate in the stealing back of Iva’s cat andinsisted—like, really insisted—that he wear a catsuit during it,” Ezra says, placing the popcorn bowl on Joaquin’s lap and leaning half on the couch’s arm, pulling Joaquin to rest against his chest. Despite the teasing, Joaquin goes easily, positioning himself so they can both reach the bowl easily.
“Yeah, that sounds like me,” Joaquin says.
I waggle my finger at him. “Youdidpromise…”
“Joaquin, man, why do you always let yourself get caught in these things?” Isadoro laughs, pressed against Iván on the couch, a casual hand on his thigh.
“I’d like to see you survive these two intact,” Joaquin grumbles, pointing his thumb at Ezra and me.
Ezra sticks his nose in the air. “We are delightful.”
