Page 33 of Up in Smoke
“Take it up with management.”
Polly snorted, shifting in her seat. “That was pretty impressive this morning in the meeting. I think you might be Derek’s new favorite. And I’malwaysthe favorite.”
Erin batted her eyelashes. “You’reAustin’sfavorite.”
The other girl narrowed her gaze. “If so, it’s because I’m the last available female on the squad. I like my men a little more discerning.”
“Nah. He’d go for me or Sera, too, if he wanted to.” Another pancake decimated. “I doubt your Facebook relationship status means dick to him.”
A smile flirted with the edges of Polly’s mouth. “Solid point. Still not interested.”
Erin shrugged.
“So.” Polly picked up a menu and flipped it open on the table. “Trouble in paradise with the dishonored SEAL? After moving in together the same day you met. Imagine that.”
“Are you trying to annoy me just to get your table back? It might work.”
“No, I’m genuinely curious.” The waitress sidled up to the table. Without breaking eye contact with Erin, Polly stabbed her finger down onto the picture of a fruit salad and the woman left. “The whole situation might have been rushed and…unusual, to put it bluntly. But you and Connor…it’s like watching two people walk toward each other from opposite ends of a tightrope. It’s intriguing.”
Not a bad comparison. Except Erin’s side of the tightrope was on fire and rapidly fraying at the edges. She cast a look out the window, but couldn’t get past her reflection. Exhaustion lined her features. Proof of her restless night. More than that, she looked on edge. She knew why, too. Connor’s presence had become a comfort and a source of hurt at the same time. Just like fire, he burned and enticed her, drawing her closer despite the promise of pain. How she could yearn for his company even knowing that at the end of their encounters, only one of them could walk away completely sated, leaving the other anxious. Unhappy. Wanting to please the other, but incapable of doing so.
Her reflection wavered and she caught sight of Sera walking down the sidewalk. Alone. She’d never once seen her new teammate without Bowen at her side. The graceful way she usually carried herself was absent, replaced with a heavy tread and slumped shoulders.
Polly hummed and followed her line of vision. “It would appear you’re not the only one with man troubles.”
“I don’t feel like being one-upped. Let’s ignore her.”
“I was planning on doing that anyway.”
They watched as Sera dropped down onto a bench and scrubbed her hands down her face. A man passing by on the sidewalk tossed his Big Gulp into the trash can beside Sera, sending liquid splashing out to spray her. She didn’t even flinch.
Polly cursed.
Erin slid out of the booth. “Fuck it. We’ll find a new place tomorrow.”
“We could use a buffer anyway.”
Erin marched out the Denny’s and stopped in front of Sera where she sat on the bench. Apart from the tensing of Sera’s shoulders, she showed no reaction to Erin’s approach.Damn. Must have been some fight.Erin was surprised to feel a pang of sadness. Bowen and Sera had kind of given her hope that total dedication to another person was possible. “So, anyway, Polly and I are in Denny’s if you want to come in and shoot the shit.”
“No, thanks.”
Thisis going well.“Look. I didn’t spend a lot of time in the high school cafeteria, but this is basically an invite to sit with the cool kids.”
Sera stared straight ahead. “I went to boarding school. The cool kids were assholes.”
That surprised a laugh out of Erin. “Oh, just come in. They love people with stained shirts at Denny’s.”
Her lips twitched, but she went right back to looking sad. She gave Erin a considering look and stood with a shrug. “Fine. I need some caffeine.”
Erin led the way back into the restaurant and they joined Polly at the booth. Erin took the seat closest to the aisle so she wouldn’t get boxed in, leaving Sera by the window. Polly stirred her coffee, looking bored. “God, I’ve never been happier to be single.”
Sera lifted an eyebrow. “Why is that?”
“You two look miserable.”
“Bowen asked me to marry him.” Sera crossed her legs and wedged herself into the corner of the booth. Her gaze bounced around the table, reminding Erin of Bowen. Obviously he’d started to rub off on his girlfriend. Or potential fiancée, as the case seemed to be. “I have no reason to be miserable.”
Erin hid her goofy smile. The Virgin Mother and the gangster were getting married. She wanted to toss sugar packets up into the air like confetti. Which was odd, since she’d never given a shit about this kind of thing before. Other people’s relationships. What they represented. It really shouldn’t mean a damn to her. “What did you say?”
