Hank and me. It was a nice change not to be the only one with whom she was annoyed.
“No bacon or sausage,” she snapped. “Light on the cheese.”
“Sure.”
Hank caught my gaze and rolled his eyes, letting me know what he thought of her command. I could work something out and keep them both happy. She’d probably only stick around for a few minutes. Maybe I’d grab two pizzas—one to make Laura happy, and one for Hank and me, and once she left, I’d bring in the latter.
My plan would have worked—except she didn’t leave. That evening, back at the office, I spent a couple of hours being grilled by her over the budget and glared at by Hank for handing him a pizza covered in vegetables and a dusting of cheese. The fact that half had pepperoni on it didn’t help since Laura watched which half he ate from, slapping his hand when he reached for the pepperoni. His mood darkened even more when she had the audacity to eat the pizza he felt should be his. He got even by sitting back and letting her pick apart every decision I had made.
When she got up to get a file, I growled, “Thanks for the backup.”
“Thanks for the lousy dinner.”
“I have a full works in the truck.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Good luck getting it after you let ‘The General’ at me,” I snarled, using the nickname the guys had for her.
He smirked as Laura swept back into the room, her skirt hem flipping up as she sat down, giving me a glimpse of her knees. Her soft, rounded knees.
“Now, about the overtime,” she started.
Hank held up his hand. “The overtime was necessary. The client wanted the changes and knew it would cost them.” He crossed his legs. “In fact, I’m pretty sure I remember okaying most of these expenditures. The ones I didn’t I know about, Jackson wouldn’t have spent if they weren’t necessary.”
We both gaped at him. He stood, stretching. “You head home, kiddo. You must be tired. I need to talk over a couple other things with Jackson. I’ll call you on the weekend.”
She gathered up her files and left the office, muttering. I waited until I heard her car leave the parking lot, and I glared at him. “Just like that? Suddenly, everything is fine because you want to get your hands on that other pizza? You’re such a jerk.”
“That was only part of it. I do enjoy watching the two of you spar. I can’t believe you let her tell you what to put on the pizza.”
I groaned. “You’re my boss, Hank, but let’s face it—she runs the show. I didn’t dare bring in the other one.”
He huffed. “Will you ever get along?”
I wasn’t sure what to say, so I shrugged. “Maybe one day.”
He shook his head. “The two of you drive me nuts. Go get the other pizza before she thinks of something else and comes back to keep arguing.”
I laughed, because she would.
A while later, I pulled into the garage, smiling in anticipation. My girl’s car was parked on the other side of mine, which meant she was here—waiting for me.
I stopped in the mudroom, shedding my clothes and stepping in the shower, ridding myself of the dust and dirt of the day. The hot water pounding against my aching back felt great, but I kept it short since I was anxious to see her. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I grabbed another one and ran it through my hair. I studied myself in the mirror. My hair was still a sandy brown, a few silver strands around my forehead starting to make an appearance. My face was still unlined, aside from the crinkles around my hazel eyes. I kept in shape, hard work and time at the gym making my muscles strong and my posture straight. My girl called me sexy and like to show me how much she appreciated my body. I enjoyed it immensely and returned the favor as often as I could.
Tossing the towel I used on my head in the hamper, I made my way down the hall to my bedroom, pushing open the door. She was curled up on my bed, her dark hair spread out on the pillow, smiling that smile—the one only I ever saw. Filled with warmth, light, and love. Love for me.
I dropped the towel and slid into bed, pulling her to me. “God, I missed you. I hate it when you go away.”
“I hate it