Page 27 of Wandering in Darkness
“I’m excited to get to work with you,” Grayson says. “Watching what you can do is pretty impressive.”
“Don’t make me blush,” I tease.
“Hey, I’m not afraid to dish out compliments.”
“Don’t believe this guy,” Lieutenant Allen says as he walks by us. He gives Grayson a smack on the back. “This man has never complimented me once in all my years of knowing him.”
“I’ve thought about it,” Grayson jokes.
Lt. Allen laughs as he heads off, leaving us alone on our walk.
“I was surprised he roped you into this,” Grayson admits.
“I’m going to be really honest… I don’t fully know what I’m doing. They said they’d brief me better this evening.”
“It won’t be too hard, but I’ll leave it up to Lt. Allen to discuss. If you’re interested, I was thinking about going out and having a drink afterward to get to know everyone. I know Lt. Allen’s in charge, but his social skills are quite lacking. Whereas I… I am a beast on the dance floor.”
That makes my lips quirk. “Oh? We’re having a dance-off?”
“I kid, honestly. The last time I danced was probably in high school. I was popular and a jock and all those things the majority of people hate, so I could have gone out there and done anything and they’d have loved it. Prom king standing here before you.”
“Oh? Impressive. Is that how you introduce yourself now? Hi, I’m Grayson. Prom king of…”
He shakes his head. “I refuse to give you a date on that. Don’t make me tell you what year I graduated.”
I laugh. “You can’t be that much older than me.”
“Old enough to feel old,” he says.
“You’re still plenty young. My best friend is an eighty-six-year-old man.”
“Are you just trying to get on his will?” he asks.
“He’s asked me that before as well. And after all of the shit he’s put me through, I’d better be on it. I shot pictures of his ex-wife to make him laugh yesterday. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.”
“As long as it’s pictures and not the actual person, it’s minorly concerning but not illegal.”
“He loved it.”
“And now I’m curious how he’s your best friend. Really, you need to tell me all about this over some drinks tonight.”
I grin as he stops outside of the bathroom, and I find myself wishing it had been at least a mile away.
“Here you are, the fanciest toilet in this entire building.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Anytime. If you’re fast enough, I might even lead you back.”
“I will be lightning fast.”
I can hear him laugh as he disappears into the office across from the bathroom. I’m pretty sure I’ve never pissed and washed my hands so quickly in my life. I’m so quick that he’s not even done grabbing whatever it is he went in there to grab and now I feel awkward waiting for him. So I decide I’ll pretend I’m doing something ultra important on my phone while I wait. And then I try my absolute hardest not to give him a huge smile the moment he steps out.
I’m pretty sure I fail spectacularly.
SEVEN
CAL - PRESENT
