“I agree.”
He sighed. “A man like Royce doesn’t come along every day.”
I cleared my throat. “Speaking of Royce, I’d like to go home to him soon. Maybe we should sign these papers.”
River threw his head back and laughed. Once he’d stopped, he shook his head. “Oh, Maxwell, you really are a tactless son of a bitch.”
“I’m not trying to be tactless.” I was a little annoyed that my heart rate felt elevated. Was it the stress of being around River or the caffeine in the tea? Maybe both? “But the papers are the reason I’m here. This isn’t a social call.”
“Not with that attitude.”
I sighed. “River, come on.”
“Come on, what? I’m just complimenting Royce. You should be glad. He’ll need all the friends he can get during the next few months.”
I scowled. “What does that mean?”
River watched me like a cat. “Well, just that he ticked off some very rich, powerful people when he clashed with the Raidens. They hold a grudge like nobody’s business.”
I blew out a shaky breath because my blood sugar felt off. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. The Raidens are pushing for a recall. A special election.”
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. The Raidens are doing their best to get Mayor Granger and the town council on their side.” He smiled. “Royce better watch his step.”
“Of course he will… watch… his step. He was just… doing his… job.” I scowled down at the documents. My vision was slightly blurry. Had we signed the papers yet? I couldn’t seem to remember. I picked up a pen, and it looked like it was bending oddly. I stared at it, blinking. “That’s weird.”
“What’s weird?” River’s tone was innocent.
“The pen is rubbery.”
“Is it? How odd.”
Sweat broke out on my face, but my mouth felt bone-dry. To rectify that, I took another sip of tea. My head was throbbing slightly, and my stomach felt queasy.
“Technically, you should have given me ninety days’ notice,” River said.
I frowned. “For what?”
He smiled. “To terminate the lease. You’re supposed to have asked ninety days in advance. In writing.”
“Oh.”
“But I’m willing to move forward regardless.”
“Good. I don’t see the point in prolonging this.”
River smiled. “No. You can’t wait to run away, can you?”
“I don’t consider it running,” I said gruffly, still staring at my rubber pen. “I… I consider it being smart. Proactive. I suspect you and I would be destined for bad things if we kept interacting.”
His mouth thinned. “There’s that haughty attitude again.”
“Well, I don’t like you, so I can’t help saying rude things.” I frowned because I knew I shouldn’t have said that out loud. I blew out a shaky breath. “It’s really hot in here.”
“Is it?” He didn’t move, and he didn’t sound very sympathetic. “I’m sure it’s the hot tea that has you overheated.”
