Nowthatmakes more sense.
“Sure,” I say easily.
“Really?”
“Yeah, why not? I won’t even charge you, since obviously you’re doing me a year-long favor.”
Noli looks like she’s going to argue but thinks better of it. “Good. Yeah, I am. So okay. That’s settled, then.”
“Anything else on your list? I didn’t realize I had such a demanding girlfriend,” I tease.
She ignores me. “The only other condition I have is like I told you this morning. You can’t ask me why else I’m doing this. Promise?”
Of all the things she’s asked of me, this is the one I like the least. Because no matter how much this woman’s self-importance irks me, I feel like there’s something under the surface with her. Something I’m missing about how the inimitable Magnolia Kasper ticks. I want nothing more than to find that out. I have a feeling what she’s not telling me is a big part of that equation. But I bite my tongue. Because I’ll do what she asks and wear down her defenses. Then I’ll figure her out and have my curiosity satisfied.
“Fine. Deal.”
She nods. “That’s settled, then.”
I shake my head. “I have conditions too.”
She looks like she swallowed a lemon.
I chuckle. “Relax. All I really need for you to do is sell this, like I said. It’s important to me that people believe what we have going on.”
She nods.
“Good. That, and we actually have to go out on some dates.”
“But—”
“No, Noli. That’s part of it.”
“Fine,” she grumbles. “But nothing overly romantic or stupid.”
I laugh at her, swooping forward and locking our fingers together again. Because what kind of boyfriend does she take me for? “Trust me.”
“We’ll see about that,” she mutters. “I’m going to use the bathroom. Be right back.”
She slips out of her chair, and I watch her go. She walks with purpose, weaving in and out of the crowded café tables. Her long brown hair swishes against her back. There’s a hint of a wave in it, and she leaves a sweet scent in her wake. I realize I’m staring at her nicely formed backside and drop my gaze.
I take a drink of my coffee and replay our conversation. I still can’t believe Noli is doing this. Heck, I can’t believeI’mdoing this. The two of us doing this together? Wild.
But it could actually turn out okay. Noli intrigues me. If I can get her to drop some of her self-importance and loosen up, maybe we could actually enjoy each other’s company for the year.
I’m lost in my thoughts when I feel a hand come to rest on my shoulder. I see the ruby-red-painted fingernails before I hear the voice of Katherine Stelle.
“Officer Rattler, I thought that was you.”
I glance up into Katherine’s made-up face and offer her a smile. It falls ever so slightly when she slides into the chair that belongs to Noli.
Katherine works with Noli as one of the dispatchers on the day shift, so she’s technically one of the people I was overseeing for the past three months. Like Noli, she’s smart and beautiful. Unlike Noli, Katherine is flirty to a fault.
“It’ssonice to see you out and about in a non-work setting. I always feel like you get to see another side of people outside the office.“ She leans across the table and drapes her long fingers across my lower arm, giving it a soft squeeze. “How’s your weekend going?” Katherine purrs.
“Good. I’m, uh, actually here with—”
“Me.” Noli appears next to me. She loops her arm around my shoulder and, in one quick motion, sits down in my lap.
