Page 34 of Trust Me

Silently, he grabbed a mug and poured himself a cup of coffee. After adding a splash of milk and half a spoon of sugar, he brought it to his lips. My fingers tapped on the counter while I wondered if he hadn’t heard me. Or maybe the question was too intrusive coming from me.

“Getting some homework done,” he finally replied. “Might head to Harmon later.”

“Oh yeah? What for?”

“Check in with Tilian. He’s been texting me nonstop.”

“Is he okay?”

To my surprise, he kept talking. “He just needs some reassurance, I think.”

“Is it about Brooks? He’s been absent all week.”

He hummed as he took another drink. “The whole thing is complicated.”

“I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that Brooks was your errand yesterday.”

Dean just nodded. When it was clear that he was done sharing, I straightened, remembering that I had news for him.

“You still need a job?” I asked.

“Yeah. That’s another thing I should deal with today.”

“No need. I got a gig for you.”

His eyes widened, and the brown seemed to catch the light above him, making it shine like gold. “What do you mean you got a gig for me?”

“A job. I don’t know the exact hours, but I think it’d be mostly weekends. Plus the tips are allegedly good.”

“Uh, is it a server job or something?”

“Sorta. Bartender.”

An awkward laugh escaped him. Leaning one hand on the counter, he brought the mug to his lips. My gaze went to his arm, to the corded muscle, then to his face.

“I’m not twenty-one,” he said.

My mouth opened, but I didn’t know what to say, really. After a second, I frowned. “Oh. I guess I didn’t know you were that young.”

“I mean, I’ll be twenty-one in three months.”

Something about his defensive tone made me smile. Taking a step closer, I leaned my hip against the counter. “If it helps, you’re more on top of your life than I was at twenty. Probably more than I am now, honestly.”

“You have your own place. And a job. And, like, a bachelor’s degree, right?”

I lifted one shoulder. “Those aren’t hard. It’s the other stuff.”

“Like what?”

I just flicked my hand to the side vaguely. “Remi’s really smart. I bet he can still give you the job somehow.”

“Wait.” His easygoing demeanor shifted noticeably. “The job’s with Remi?”

“Yeah, I didn’t mention that?”

“Nope.”

“Ah, my bad. He’s down for it if you are.”