pile of bills and receipts left to log. And two coffee mugs because Kai hadn’t cleaned up yesterday. Which was a surprise since she could always count on Mr. Clean to ensure everything got scrubbed down.
She waited for the lobby door to open, wondering if it was Kai coming back. His meeting had obviously not taken too long.
He’d kissed her when he’d dropped her off. Apparently they weren’t doing the professional thing.
Would he kiss her again? Should she insist that they kept up some kind of distance at the office? Her heart sped up and she tried to smooth down her hair.
The door opened but it wasn’t Kai who came through. Lena strode through like a diva taking the stage. She had a massive handbag on her elbow that would likely cause nerve damage some day and a phone to her ear. “I need three in the V-neck. Not the crew neck. The crew neck makes him look like an old man. I want only dark colors and one hundred percent cotton. If you try to show me a blend I will have you fired on the spot. Do you understand me?”
Squirrel wandered in behind her. He was wearing skinny jeans and one of the V-neck T-shirts Lena seemed to be very specific about. He looked quiet, shy. His hair was a bit longer than Jared’s, but it was obvious he tried to emulate his friend. “Hi, Kori. Sorry about that. She’s been on the phone for twenty minutes with some store because she doesn’t like the colors Jared brought with him. The stylist called from LA and said the pictures from the club last night made Jared look old. Like he was thirty or something.” Squirrel smiled. “He is thirty something.”
Kori rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad to be out of that world. You know thirty isn’t old.”
“It is in our world.”
“Not for men.”
Squirrel shrugged. “Maybe not, but boy they make you feel it. They’re already trying to put Jared on something called a maintenance schedule with a plastic surgeon. Like he needs Botox or something.”
Yeah, she’d heard the phrase before. “He doesn’t need it. I think Jared is one of those men who’ll likely look amazing at seventy-five.”
Like Kai would.
Squirrel gave her a half smile. “We brought by the insurance paperwork for you to sign. Naturally it’s in her bag and I’m afraid to put my hand in it. I have no idea what she keeps in there. It’s probably only going to be another couple of minutes.”
Lena groaned into her phone. “Neutral colors. I said neutral. Purple is not neutral. Give me to your supervisor. Do you even know who you’re dealing with?”
“Or not.” Kori nodded toward the small kitchen. “I’m going to get some coffee. Can I get you anything?”
“I’d love a soda if you have one.”
“Of course.” Squirrel seemed quiet but sweet. She gestured for him to follow her. “So how do you like Dallas? You’re lucky you’re here at this time of year. Summer is a bitch. I, for one, kind of like having brief seasons.”
“It’s nice enough. It’s good to be home for a while. Back in the States, I mean. Whoa, is that what I think it is?” He peered into the fridge. “This is real, actual soda with real sugar.”
She hadn’t thought about that. Jared’s crew didn’t seem big on carbs. “I can find you a diet somewhere. I stock this place. Kai only drinks tea and the occasional glass of wine.”
Squirrel grabbed the red can and popped the top as fast as he could. He took a long drink. “God, that tastes good. No one allows sugar around Jared. His trainer banned it. I don’t think Jared minds, but I miss it.”
Kori grabbed her coffee mug and fit the pod in the machine. Kai didn’t believe in caffeine but a few days after she’d hired on there had been a shiny new coffee maker and a box of almost every blend the store carried. She preferred a medium roast but she’d found it nice that the boss wanted her to have her favorite morning drink.
Had he been taking care of her even then?
“So you grew up with Jared?” She had to admit she was deeply curious about Jared and Kai’s relationship. Kai never talked about his family. She knew he’d grown up in Seattle and his mother had passed away young. He’d gone into the Army to support his brother. Then he’d made his way through college and grad school