“We’re not going to rest until we get to the bottom of this, you know that.”
“I do. I just wish we had more to go on. More to point us in the direction of where to look, because all it feels like, is we’re chasing our fucking tails and they’re laughing at us.”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing, but you know, maybe you should think about a change of location for you and Steff.”
“I don’t know, man, she’s starting to lose the shadows that surrounded her when she first came to Angelica’s birthday.” Although after what happened between them last night, and her panic attack, he was worried that any progress she’d made was in jeopardy.
No, he wasn’t going to think that way. Steff was strong, she would keep moving forward.
“What are you two discussing?”
“How was your meeting with that starlet’s team?” Jag asked, as Fox dropped into a chair he’d pulled from his desk.
“Good. It’s only for one night, so there wasn’t too much to go over. We’ll do the standard procedures we normally do.”
“Is she as hot in person as she looks in her pictures?” Deal waggled his eyebrows.
Fox rolled his eyes. “She wasn’t there, doofus, it was just her team.”
“Well, that’s a disappointment. You’re a lucky bastard getting to watch over Zadie Nyx. That’s one job I would’ve liked.”
“Dude, you got to work with Vera Bush, quit complaining,” Jag tossed back at Deal.
Deal laughed. “I think we’ve all had our fair share of looking after some fine-looking women. The perks of working in La La Land.”
“I suppose.” Fox looked thoughtful. “Although, there’s something to be said about the girl next door type, too.”
“You talking about Cynthia?” Jag asked, knowing that his friend had been spending a bit of time with Steff’s friend. He hadn’t forgotten his and Steff’s conversation the night before, and what Cynthia had said to her.
A soft smile played over Fox’s lips, and Deal groaned. “Fuck, not another one. What is it about this place? It’s like a love spell has been cast over the whole building.”
Jag and Fox laughed. “I’ll remember that when it happens to you,” Jag teased.
“Does anyone look unhappy with the people they’ve found to share their lives with?” Fox asked.
“No, but that doesn’t mean I want it to happen to me. I like being single and carefree.”
There was something in Deal’s tone, an almost forced happiness, that had Jag doubting he was one hundred percent happy being single, but he wasn’t going to say anything to his friend.
Deal’s cell rang, and he rolled back to his desk, almost missing it with the speed he’d pushed his chair back, leaving him and Fox.
“You’re getting serious about Cynthia?” Jag queried.
Fox shrugged. “Maybe. Like you, I’m taking it slow, because of what Cyn went through with Steff.”
Jag nodded, noting the way Fox had shortened Cynthia’s name—he was definitely interested in her.
Should he bring up what Cynthia said, or just leave it? It baffled him that she would think he’d get upset with Steff if she made plans without consulting him. It wasn’t as though he had such a busy life that every second was scheduled. Unless it was work related, he had a lot of free time.
“I hear we could be going on a double date,” he said instead.
“I heard that too. Sounds good to me. You and Steff busy tomorrow night?”
“As far as I know we aren’t. Steff’s here, so I can check with her. Where are you thinking of going?”
“There’s that little Italian place around the corner from my apartment.”
“Good choice. We ordered take out from there the other night. Their squid ink seafood linguini was amazing. I’m sure Steff would be happy to go there.”
