Page 114 of The Sadist and the Brat

“It’s huge on you,” Sam said, “but it works. Go on, give me a flash.”

She thrust out a hip, grabbed the lapels and flung the coat open. He laughed, delighted. “Fantastic.”

“Good.” She folded the coat closed. “I’m glad to see you. I thought you might have to work tonight.”

“It’s my weekend off,” he told her and dragged a hand through his short crop of silver-streaked dark hair. “I almost didn’t come, to be honest.”

“Tired?” He looked it. There were bags under his eyes, and an air of fatigue around him, like if he sat down for two minutes, he’d be snoring in one.

“Exhausted,” he admitted. “And Collette had a faculty thing tonight she couldn’t get out of, so I’m flying solo.”

He looked so forlorn she wanted to cuddle him like a puppy. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

“It’s no big deal,” he said with a smile that failed to reach his eyes. “I’m glad I came, if for no other reason than to see you in that outfit.”

She laughed, because she knew he wanted her to, and bobbed a quick curtsey. “Happy to be of service.”

“Speaking of which,” Sam drawled and tapped a finger on his own neck, “is this new, or have I been that out of touch?”

“It’s new,” she confirmed. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“Sadie, you getting together with Jack is the least surprising thing that’s happened this year.”

“It surprised the hell out of me,” she muttered, and he laughed.

“That’s because you don’t pay attention,” he began, then paused. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what? Oh. That’s the men’s room.”

“The men’s room?”

“Something about the venting,” she said. “You can hear just about everything that goes on in there from here. That’s the faucet running.”

“I’ll be damned.” Sam marveled and tilted his head. “Someone’s talking, too, but I can’t hear who.”

“You will when they turn off the water. What do you mean, I don’t pay attention?”

“You don’t,” Sam said, then a voice came through the vent, clear as day.

“Hello, Joel.”

“That’s Jack,” Sam said.

“Shhh!” Sadie hissed and strained to hear.

Joel nodded at Cade. “Cade.”

“Joel,” Cade said, and nodded back. “How was the board meeting?”

The genial smile on Joel’s face faded, irritation twisting his otherwise handsome face. Though the board election had taken place months ago, Joel wasn’t close to forgetting—or forgiving. “Fine,” he bit off. “Though I think we need to reevaluate this annual charity donation. It’s unnecessary.”

A sentiment, Jack thought, that Joel had brought up no less than three times during the meeting. “It’s good community relations, Joel. And a good cause.”

“We could be putting that money to use for the club,” Joel insisted. “More education, more demonstrations. There’s a Gorean Master in Chicago I’ve been wanting to bring in to do a lecture on training—”

“Put together a proposal for the board,” Jack interrupted smoothly and had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling when he saw Cade roll his eyes. “We’ll take a look.”

“Well.” Cade cleared his throat and pushed off the wall. “I’m going to go find Olivia. Good to see you, Joel.”

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