Boss of Me

I’ve typed enough numbers for mine to pop up as saved. “Sexy devil?” My eyes cut up to her, and her cheeks are vibrant red now. “Is this me?”

“Give me that.” She reaches for her phone, but I hit send before she can take it away.

My hands are in my pants pockets and I watch as she shoves the device back in her wristlet. “It’s rude to read someone else’s phone. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?”

“You gave it to me to take your picture. I was just sending a copy to myself.”

“Next time I’ll take a selfie.”

Chuckling, I catch her around the waist. “Why are you embarrassed? I feel like now I need to change your name in my phone.

“My name’s in your phone?” She blinks up to me.

“You bet it is. Saved as PITA. Pain in the Ass.”

“Oh!” She pushes my arm and walks quickly toward the building.

I laugh, catching up to her and taking her arm. “I’m only joking. You’re saved as Raquel, but I think I’ll change it to Sexy Fighter. Or maybe FILF, fighter I’d like to…”

She shakes her head, and I thread our fingers again, leading her to the growing crowd of attendees waiting at the door to have their invitations checked against the master list.

We’re just at the front when I hear a voice that makes my neck tighten.

“Patton? Is that you? Patton! Raquel!” Looking around, I see Jerry bobbing in the line, midway back and waving.

Rocky moves away from me, sliding her hand out of mine. An acute sense of annoyance filters through my stomach. I’m not smiling when I turn to find him moving through the crowd to where we’re waiting.

“I’m not sure it’s kosher to cut in line,” I murmur when he reaches us, shaking my hand.

“It’s good to see your frowning face,” he laughs, turning to Rocky. “Hey, Raquel, you look great as always.”

He starts to move toward her, but she moves back. Instead, he quickly changes directions, pulling forward a blonde with a short pixie cut and a bright red dress. Angelique Johnson is our go-to realtor on the West Coast.

“Angel,” I lean forward in a brief hug, and she air kisses my cheek.

“Patton, so good to see you again.”

“Let me tell you, she truly is an angel.” Jerry motions between the three of us. “Angel, you obviously know Patton. Raquel here is one of our new account executives. She’s a real whiz-kid.”

The woman smiles broadly. “It’s so nice to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying your visit.”

“Thank you.” Rocky smiles. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Jerry jumps in again. “In the short time I’ve been here, Angel has introduced me to most of the bigger real estate groups in town. She’s a real door-opener, if I can say that.”

They both laugh at his corny joke, and Rocky forces a light titter. I look at her strangely, and her cheeks flush. Then her hand slides up the back of my arm and gives me a tiny pinch. My eyes narrow, and I smile, but it’s a warning. Somebody wants to get spanked.

Rocky returns to the other two. “Isn’t it a beautiful night? It’s so breezy, and the view of downtown is breathtaking.”

“Is it your first time in LA?” Angel takes her arm as we arrive at the front of the line.

I hang back with Jerry showing our invitations and waiting for them to check the lists.

“I say, I was surprised you brought Raquel with you.” Jerry’s studying me with an intensity I don’t care for.

“You heard Taron resigned?”

He nods, “I did, although I can’t say it was entirely unexpected.”