Page 29 of Take Her On

“Ahoy, matey!”

Maya looked up as the door swung open, and piercing blue eyes locked with hers.

“Skip,” Jamie said, giving a head bob before heading into one of the cubicles.

Irked she didn’t have a nickname for her, Maya just mumbled a hello. Why did it have to be her?

“Shiver me timbers!”

Jamie burst out laughing, the sound a little muffled from behind the pink door. “I didn’t realise you had a pirate kink, Skip.”

Maya shook her head, pulling a few blue paper towels out from the holder to dry her hands. “It’s not me. It’s Jerome.”

“Is that your alter ego? Unexpected, but each to their own.”

She balled up the wet towels and threw them into the bin. “It’s not—”

“Let’s plunder the booty!”

Jamie opened the door, both eyebrows raised up her forehead. A smirk teased at her mouth. “Let’s plunder the what now?”

Maya laughed, taking a step backwards as Jamie came closer to wash her hands. “It’s the parrot. Jerome.” She gestured to the mechanical bird who seemed to have jammed his wing. She pushed it back into place, and his head spun sideways.

“Save a ship. Ride a pirate!”

“I can’t say I’ve ever heard that one before.” Jamie chuckled as she took some paper towels and quickly dried her hands.

“He’s quite vocal today. They must’ve given him new batteries.”

“Mm-hmm.” Jamie’s amusement was written all over her face. She rested back against the sink, letting her gaze slowly drift over Maya.

When she didn’t say anything, Maya snapped, “What?”

Jamie’s mouth ticked upwards. “When are you singing on the karaoke, then?”

“I’m not.”

“How come?”

“I just don’t find it fun.”

Jamie nodded, but it seemed like she wanted to say something more.

“I’m not like you,” Maya added.

“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?” She took a step towards her, and Maya had to muster the courage to stand her ground. Something about Jamie was throwing her off, and she didn’t feel in control of her own body. She breathed in her cedar scent, which reminded her of the night in the rain. Her heart thumped hard in her chest. She took a second, trying to steady herself.

“A show off,” she said.

Jamie cracked out laughing, brushing a hand through her short hair. Up close, Maya could tell she’d styled it differently tonight. The sides were freshly shaved, and the curls had added texture, making them appear more sculpted and voluminous than usual. A part of her wanted to reach out and tousle them; the other part wanted to cut off her hands.

“I’m just having a good time, Skip. Isn’t that what team bonding is for?” Jamie wet her lips and pressed them together. “Or is there something else?”

“Your choice of song.”

Her mouth quirked. “What about it?”

“‘Take on Me’?”