Page 204 of Bend
He shook his head, his hand rubbing the back of his neck as if he were feeling some sort of strain. "The way you've been acting the last couple of months; all happy and bubbly—and not giving any of the dudes here a second glance. Several of us have noticed the subtle but definite change in your demeanor, hell—you're in love with your roomie, aren?
?t you?"
I immediately tensed up.
"That's really none of your business, Agent Murphy," I snapped, trying my best to give him an arctic glare.
"Well, answer me this, Paige. Does the other fag know his dude is bi? And that Eli's a cheater to boot? I could've sworn Darcy said Eli was gay." He scratched his head in faux confusion.
"It's none of your damn business what goes on in our house or in my life. I'll thank you to keep your nose out of places it clearly doesn't belong."
Oh, I was pissed. That much was obvious and, if I had given a damn at the moment, I might've re-thought those words that had just been spoken.
By me.
"Our house?" he said, echoing the words I'd just put out there in anger. "Fuck me," he laughed, "You're banging both of them, aren't you?"
"You're out of line, Darin," I deadpanned, trying to keep my cool before I let anything else out of the bag in anger. "What did you need? Why are you here?"
He turned around and looked at me, and I could tell he now was feeling kind of…stupid. "I was going to see if you wanted to get dinner—you know, for your birthday. Sounds like you have other plans."
He turned and left my cubicle before I had the opportunity to tell him that having dinner with him—ever, wasn't going to happen.
I put my head in my hands, wondering just how long it would take for Darin to spread some vicious gossip about me around to the rest of the office staff.
And then I remembered: it's only gossip if it's not true.
Still, I couldn't think that anyone I worked with would have the nerve or the audacity to ask me straight-out about my private and personal life.
Darin had no class.
I was betting the rest of my colleagues did.
chapter 22
I snuck out of work an hour early, wanting nothing more than to put this day behind me. Darin's innuendos had unnerved me. I didn't need him stirring up any drama, especially since my internship was ending next month, and I had applied for a permanent position with the bureau.
I beat both Eli and Cain home, going to my room to take a shower and change into something suitable for La Chaumiere. If I even had anything suitable, that is.
I saw that two wrapped boxes had been placed on my bed. More gifts? One dress-sized box, the other one small.
My guys…damn.
I knew I should probably have waited until they got home, but shit, you knew that wasn't going to happen.
I tore into the big box immediately, taking off the lid, and separating the tissue paper.
Oh. My God.
It was the most beautiful black dinner dress that I'd ever laid my eyes on. It was simple, but chic in the way it was cut. It had a sweetheart neckline with long sleeves that tapered at the wrist. It was perfect for La Chaumiere. I looked at the designer tag and saw that it was Donna Karan.
My Eli.
The other box contained a pair of earrings that matched the birthstone encrusted necklace they had bought for me. My birthstone was on the post, and each of their birthstones dangled daintily on a tiny gold chain from it. There was a note in the box.
"These will look great with the necklace."
~~~
