Page 72 of A Lot to Unpack
I don’t know what else to say. I mean, clearly, I’m a shit private investigator and whatever I do for work moving forwards it should absolutely not be that. Why oh why did I think it was Jordan? Of course it’s not going to be Jordan, the boss, pissing around on an app meant for the workforce. I leapt to a genuine cliff of a conclusion, just because he called me new girl which – news flash – is what I am, and now I’m slowly falling back to earth as reality sets in. I have a horrible feeling the impact is going to be catastrophic.
‘Sit down,’ he says, nodding towards the bar stool. Then he turns to the barman. ‘What do you recommend?’
‘I make a mean Manhattan,’ he replies.
‘Two of those then, please,’ Pete says.
‘Erm, hi,’ Jordan says as he appears between the two of us, and all at once the air changes.
‘Actually, make it three,’ Pete tells he barman. ‘I definitely owe this man a drink, after the bonus he gave me today.’
Jordan glances between us.
‘Oh, thanks,’ he says to Pete as he takes a seat next to me, leaving me sandwiched between the two of them. ‘So, you’re celebrating, eh? What are you getting up to tonight?’
‘Well, I’m taking this one for a night out,’ Pete tells him, nodding towards me.
I notice Jordan’s eyes widen for a split second.
And this is it. The impact. And boy does it hurt.
‘You two?’ Jordan replies.
‘Yeah, I know Paige doesn’t like us getting close, but you know it won’t affect my work,’ Pete reasons.
‘I didn’t think you two knew each other,’ Jordan says.
‘Turns out we’ve been chatting on WorkM8,’ Pete says. ‘Funny, isn’t it?’
Jordan doesn’t laugh.
‘I should, uh, leave you to it then,’ Jordan says.
Shit, shit, shit – what do I do?
‘Have your drink first,’ Pete tells him. ‘We don’t mind, do we, Liberty?’
I open my mouth to speak but I can’t get any words out.
‘Three Manhattans,’ the barman announces.
Pete hands them out.
‘To a great day and hopefully an even better night,’ Pete announces, raising his glass.
Oh, this can’t be happening. What have I ever done that was so bad that karma thought she could do me so dirty?
‘So, what are you two up to tonight then?’ Jordan asks, knocking back at least half of his drink in one gulp.
He makes it sound like an innocent question but I know it isn’t.
‘I’m open to ideas,’ Pete says. ‘I want to show Liberty the sights so, you were the local, if you’ve got any recommendations, I’m all ears.’
Jordan rests an elbow on the bar.
‘Well, if it were me…’ he starts. ‘Maybe something fun, like aSex and the Citywalking tour. For dinner maybe somewhere small and full of heart, not somewhere touristy – there’s a place called Giorgio’s that does great meatballs. Then, I don’t know, maybe a trip to Rockefeller Center, for ice skating.’
I glance at him but he’s not even looking at me.
