Page 12 of Bold

Brazen

After a deep rumbling of thunder, a crack of lightning screams from the sky.

It’s been raining for about twelve hours. Tourists know about the sun and the beach, but do they know about the kinds of storms we get? Every street looks like a canal. I swear I saw something swimming alongside my truck as I drove to work. Normally, rain would piss me off since I have to put construction on hold until it stops, but today, I don’t really mind it.

Noah enters the office in a pink raincoat with matching galoshes.

“You’re prepared for rain.” I don’t like the way her boots hide her calves.

“I’m from a rainy city. I was born prepared for rain, but that lightning, it’s on another level. Is that normal?”

She shivers under the air conditioner, and I move to turn it up, adjusting it for her.

“Yeah, for this time of year, it is.”

I’m at a loss for anything else to say. We’ve discussed the weather. Now, what other forms of polite chitchat are there? I felt so at ease with Noah before Sunday got me riled up. Speaking of my meddlesome friend, she walks in the door next, and I’m not sure whether I’m saved or in a worse position.

“Well, hello, you two!” Sunday closes her umbrella and fluffs her hair, which somehow doesn’t have a strand out of place despite the downpour.

Definitely not saved. I recognize that tone. Sunday has mischief on her mind.

“Morning, Sunday,” Noah says.

I stay quiet, waiting for the other pointed heel to drop.

“Brazen, how did you sleep? Are you nice and rested for a full day of being stuck inside? That rain is really coming down, isn’t it?”

“I slept fine, Sunday.” The annoyance in my voice is evident.

Sunday sits at her desk and shoots me a shit-eating grin behind Noah’s back. One that tells me this day is going to be much longer than I anticipated.

“So, Noah, tell us about yourself. I’ve gotten to learn so little about you since I missed your impromptu interview. Where did you meet Brazen?”

Noah shifts in her chair, giving both Sunday and me a peripheral view of her face.

“I just moved here and into the place across from your house on Oak Drive.”

“Wait! You’re Maddy’s new roommate?” Sunday leans forward, propping her elbows on her desk and smiling.

“Yeah, do you know her?” There is so much warmth in every conversation Noah holds, even this casual one.

“You could say that.”

“Madison and Sunday are friends,” I interpret for her vagueness.

“Oh! That’s awesome. I think I got really lucky with my living situation. Madison has been great.”

“So, is that where Brazen met you? He didn’t exactly tell me all the details.”

“Um, yeah. I was outside, and we sort of ran into each other.” Noah squirms in her seat.

Ran into each other? Sure, we’ll go with that.

“Sunday, let Noah work.” I come off too hard, as if I’m upset Noah isn’t on task, which isn’t the case. Sunday knows that, but Noah doesn’t. A tinge of worry slices through me when I think about her taking my statement the wrong way. I shouldn’t care, but I do.

“Don’t be surly, Brazen. I didn’t get to know Noah before you hired her. We’ve been without an assistant since we started this business. Surely, we can survive if she slacks off a little while her bosses get to know her. Besides, rainy days are bad for productivity.” Sunday gives me another smile, daring me to refute her and knowing damn well I won’t. Then, she turns back to Noah. “Did you leave anyone home? A boyfriend maybe?”

I’ve had enough. Casually, I get up from my desk and head for the kitchen. I don’t want to be out here for wherever Sunday takes this conversation, and there is seriously no telling with her. But my steps are just slightly sluggish as I wait to hear Noah’s answer.

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