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“No.” I assumed she’d been joking, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
There were some lines we didn’t cross.
She scrunched her nose and laughed. “Damn. It was worth a shot.”
I finished the last of the dishes and left them on the drying rack, stacked to the brim. “Anything else you need help with around here? Other than bathing your boyfriend.”
Hazel shook her head. “I’ve got it. I’ll tidy up the place while Mason’s napping. I am looking forward to going out tonight. Don’t hold it against me if I get wasted.”
“As long as you don’t drive home.”
Her eyes shined with a glint of happiness, something that I hadn’t seen the entire time that I’d been over during lunch.
The thought of getting out and socializing seemed to have shifted her mood for the better. Hopefully, it would help Mason too.
* * *
I arrived early at the bar to make sure that I could grab a comfortable booth for all of us to sit together.
In the corner of the bar, there was a booth that would easily seat our crew.
I claimed it before anyone else could, and while I wanted a beer, I’d wait to step up to the bar until one of the other guys came and could watch our table.
“Jaxson!” I waved to him as he shuffled into the bar, glancing around for the rest of us.
“Where’s Ariella?” I asked as he scooted into the booth seat across from me.
His eyes narrowed.
“What? It’s just the two of us.” I already knew they were sleeping together, but the rest of the office wasn’t supposed to know.
He was her boss.
Technically, the entire Eagle Tactical team was Ariella’s boss, but Jaxson was sleeping with her.
They were also living together, but that wasn’t because they were involved. It had been a result of her house burning down months ago.
“I don’t know. Ariella will be here soon.” Jaxson rested his hands on the wood table. “We thought it’d be a good idea to show up separate.”
“Everything okay in paradise?”
I hadn’t noticed any drama, but they were good at hiding their relationship.
Which was ironic, since Jaxson had been testy and short-tempered for the brief time they’d worked together before they’d fallen into bed.
She made him happy, and if the other guys couldn’t see it, they were blind.
Jaxson nodded toward the door where Declan came through, along with Mason and Hazel trailing behind.
I scooted out of the booth. “I’ll get us drinks,” I said.
Already the bar grew crowded, patrons waited for their drinks. I leaned against the bar, my hands clasped together, awaiting my turn.
A soft voice cleared her throat beside me as she hurried up to the bar and perched herself on the empty stool.
The coffee thief.
I gestured the bartender over to me next, but he hadn’t come and taken my drink order yet.
