Page 79 of Under His Protection
“She’s getting ready.”
Charlie smiles. “You look well rested. Did you have a good night?”
I don’t like the way she’s looking at me, like she knows things. Is it written on my forehead?HALEY AND I HAD SEX LAST NIGHT!I shrug. “I slept fine.”
“How fine?” Her smile quickly fades. “Philip, your personal life is none of my business, but you’re on duty for the foreseeable future. You’d better behave yourself.”
I don’t respond to that, because how can I?Yes, Charlie, I slept with my client last night. In fact, I deflowered her.That’s not something you put in a status report. Instead, I say, “Tell me something I don’t know.”
She frowns. “Don’t make me pull rank on you, Phil. I can easily decide to change the assignments. I could escort her to school, you know. Or Mateo could. It doesn’t have to beyou. Just because you’re her boyfriend—”
“No effing way, Charlie.I’mtaking her. End of story.”
“Then don’t force my hand, Phil. Behave yourself.”
When the coffee is ready, I grab a mug and fill it for Charlie. Then I pour one for myself.
“Thanks,” Charlie says as she sips her coffee. “At least you know how to make a good cup.” She sets hers down on the counter and goes to the fridge to grab a carton of eggs. “When Haley’s ready, I want to go over today’s schedule with her.”
“I’ll let her know.”
She gives me the side-eye. “You do that.”
As I’m starting up the back staircase, I hear the back door open.
“Good morning,maqueen,” Mateo says.
“Good morning to you, too,” Charlie replies.
Then it’s absolute silence.
I take a step back and peek into the kitchen to see them embracing. Mateo is kissing Charlie like it’s his last day on Earth, and Charlie has her arms around his neck. Well, well, well. I didn’t see this coming. Charlie, the hypocrite, is doing our colleague.
Abruptly, she pulls away. “Not here. I just gave Philip a lecture on behaving himself. Come get some coffee.”
I continue up the stairs and down the hallway to find the bathroom empty. Haley’s bedroom door is shut, and I can hear her putzing around in there. I knock on her door. “Charlie’s downstairs, and there’s coffee. She’d like to go over your schedule today.”
“I’ll be right down,” she says.
I head back to the bathroom and grab a super quick shower. By the time I make it back down to the kitchen, Haley’s sitting at the kitchen island sipping an iced coffee the color of caramel and whipped cream combined, while Charlie is standing at the stove making breakfast.
“Something sure smells good,” I say as I join Haley at the island. She looks happy and relaxed. I lay my hand on her thigh, beneath the countertop and away from Charlie’s watchful gaze. Haley squeezes my hand and smiles.
“It’s nothing fancy,” Charlie says. “French toast and chicken sausages.” Charlie glances back at us. “Why don’t you guys set the table? And get the syrup and whipped cream.”
“No problem,” Haley says as she hops off her stool.
I grab silverware and napkins and set the table, while Haley gets the other things.
Just as the food is ready, Mateo comes back inside. “Perimeter’s secure. Hey, guys, good morning. I trust you both slept well.” And then he winks at me.
Is it that obvious?
Soon, the four of us are seated at the table eating French toast. I’m on my second cup of caffeine—a necessity.
“So, Thursday…” Charlie consults the itinerary. “Today’s your light day. Political science class at nine, and British literature at eleven. Is that right?”
Haley nods with a mouth full of food. “Mmhmm.”
