Page 90 of Smooth Moves
No one said anything. So far so good.
“Miriam’s annoyed with us, is that what you’re saying?” He turned to Reid. “Have you talked to her? I’d think you’d want to play nice with the other businesses in the building.”
Behind Evan’s back, Jordan motioned for Reid to play along. He coughed to hide the smile she saw peeking through. “Uh, I, yeah. I’ve talked to her a few times. She’s a nice woman, but you know how Cash is. And, Rob, didn’t I talk to you about that?”
Rob shrugged. “Finley did it first.”
“And that makes it all right,” Jordan said in a huff. “Evan, look, you’re not like the guys. You’re good-looking.”
“Hey!”
“I’m hot!”
“Sophisticated,” she continued, “and you know how to talk to people. I think if you charmed Miriam, she’d stop threatening to file a complaint with the landlord.”
Evan swiveled to glare at Reid. “You never told me you had problems with the other tenants. This is why you wanted me to fill the HR role, isn’t it? Not just for our people but to deal with the other businesses in the building. Because you hate PR, don’t you?”
“Of course not.”
“Isn’t ityourjob to smooth things over, Reid? You should handle this.”
“Ah, yeah, it is. Jordan, why didn’t you tell me about this before?”
She sighed. “I did, Reid. Remember two days ago? I mentioned it, but you were on hold on the phone or something.”Sooo many lies.
“Oh, right. Now I remember.” He clapped Evan on the back, an invisible “kick me” sign the rest of them could see.
She and the others did their best to hide their grins.
“Look, man, we’re so busy lately some things got pushed aside. Can you talk to her for me? Like Jordan said, you’re good with people. I bet Miriam will take to you, and maybe you can convince her we’re not that bad. I’ll talk to Cash about leaving her alone. And that goes for the rest of you.”
“Got it, boss.” Lafayette saluted.
“That salute sucked.” Reid rolled his eyes. “It’s so hard working with non-Marines, Evan. But you eventually get used to it.”
That started the trash talk about Navy squids, Army pukes, Air Force dweebs, and knuckle-dragging Marines. Jordan was laughing and having a blast. The beer flowed. Nachos and wings joined the table. The guys told hilarious war stories and even wittier moving stories, culminating in Funny Rob’s encounter with a crazy man who wanted him to move a houseful of mannequins he’d swear were alive.
“I’m not kidding. I think one of them waved at me. Ask Finley.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Finley shuddered. “I was too busy trying to figure out what to do with all the dummy body parts. And a few of those supposed mannequins looked like sex dolls. Seriously, that dude was weird.”
“Totally weird,” Rob agreed.
“Speaking of weird,” Lafayette muttered as Smith ambled to the table. “Well, well, Smith. Who thought you’d join the fun?”
Jordan didn’t know why Smith acted so hot and cold with the team. She’d worked with him more often than the others, and Smith pulled more than his fair share. He’d teased her a few times, but he’d never been anything but professional or quiet when working. She liked being around him, though she’d never admit that to Cash. Oddly enough—or maybe not so oddly, since Smith and Cash looked enough alike to be brothers—she felt safe with Smith.
“Hey, Smith. Pull up a chair.” She kicked out the one next to her, and he sat down with his beer.
“Smith.” Reid nodded at him.
Smith nodded back and raised a brow at Evan. “Slumming?”
Evan shot him a bright grin. “I am now.”
The guys guffawed. Even Smith cracked a smile at that. Then he gave another subtle glance. “You guys are missing some familiar faces. Where are the twins?”
“Right here. I’m not that dark I blend into the walls, am I?” Lafayette asked with a raised brow. “Although Simon says I’m gorgeous, so smooth and dark like chocolate, he wants nothing more than to lick me up.”
