Offensive Behavior

“You could apologize.”

“But she asked for it. There was just something wrong with my delivery.”

“Then you have to trust her to tell you what she’s thinking.”

“Meaning I do nothing.” That was completely useless. That was why he often ignored Sarina’s advice.

“You need to give her room to think about it. How long ago did this happen?”

He checked the time on the cell. “About fifteen minutes ago.”

“Geez, give the girl a break. If she’s at work, she—”

“I don’t like this.”

“When you play with fire.”

“I don’t mind getting burned. I don’t like the feeling I have to wait for the flames to roast me. I want to know when it will hurt.”

“Because you have the patience of a hungry pig at a trough and you’re a total control freak.”

“I’m not a total control freak.” Not where Zarley was concerned. He said that softly, more to himself but Sarina was the most perceptive person he knew and he should’ve known better.

“What’s changed?”

He’d told her quite enough. “I’m unemployed.”

“Something else.”

“Nothing else. I wanted to see if you had any advice.”

“Go slow is my advice. These are new wings, don’t get them bent out of shape too soon.”

“I’m not the one with wings.” Although with Zarley he felt like he might learn to fly.

“What?”

“Never mind. Are you well?”

“I’m well.”

“Happy?”

“Doing fine.”

“Owen and Dev. Kuch?”

“You could ask them yourself.”

“They’d think I was sick, dying or something. I’m not ready to speak to Kuch yet.”

“I get that. Owen isn’t you. He’s finding it tough, but he won’t let on. Dev is Dev. Also, you should know, we’re having an anniversary party for the ten years.”

“Fucking without me.” Jesus.

“Would you want to be there?”

“Yes.” God that stung. “Have a fucking great time.”