I’d never realised how good I was at lying. I almost believed it myself. Fuck.
“Oh.” She closed the laptop. “Do you want me to come with you?” She got up and made her way over.
I took hold of her hands and smiled. “No, it’ll be something silly they haven’t seen properly. Carry on researching. I won’t be long.”
“Ok, just don’t stay too late. You’ve been doing a lot recently. You need to look after yourself as well.”
“I know.” I kissed her softly.
“What do you want for dinner? I’ll make sure it’s ready for when you get back.”
“Don’t worry about me. Order something in if you don’t want to cook and put it on my card.”
She looked up at me. “I thought it wasn’t going to take long?”
I rubbed my hands up and down her arms. “It probably won’t.”
“Fine, but I’m gonna order the whole menu on your card if you’re back late.”
I let out a chuckle. “You order whatever you want.”
She gave me a quick kiss and then went back to sitting on the sofa with the laptop.
I looked up at Hayden walking into the Organisation as I poured a whisky. He sat down, leaning back in the chair, and I sat next to him, swirling the amber liquid before taking a sip.
“Everyone will be here soon.”
I gave him a nod, taking a cigarette out and lighting it. I took a drag, my eyes wandering over to him. He was staring at me.
“What?”
“You. What’s so important that everyone needs to be here? And FYI”—he sat forward—“Serfina said if it isn’t important, she’s going to kick your arse because you interrupted her telling me all about her wedding ideas.”
“I saved you, then.” I chuckled, taking another drag.
“Where does Aria think you are?”
“At work, sorting out some figures.”
“I give up with you.” He slouched back again. “What is it then?”
I sipped my whisky. Was this a good idea? Callum was someone I’d never seen myself working with, but it would benefit us all in the long run.
“Callum wants to work together. I didn’t want to decide without talking to everyone first.”
“Didn’t expect that.” He shifted in his seat.
“Me either,” I replied, downing the rest of the whisky.
The door clicked open as Matt, Soran, and Valon walked in together. I took one last drag of the cigarette and stubbed it out as we greeted each other, and then they joined us at the table.
“What’s so urgent? Berevan is making kifta, and I would not miss that for anything,” Soran said.
“I wouldn’t miss that either,” Hayden added.
Valon looked at his watch. “I’ve got a shipment coming in in the next hour.”
“It won’t take long, but I didn’t want to agree to anything without everyone’s opinion.”
