Big City Little Rebel

“If I’m being honest, I’ve missed you.” He turned in the booth and faced her.

“Ah, that might be the sweetest thing I’ve heard all day. Big City wants me to come back and terrorize his site.” She leaned in and gently touched her lips to his. “I’ve missed you, too.”

He looked over her head at the group of people she entered with and met the glare of a man. “Are you trying to get my ass kicked? Your boyfriend looks jealous?”

“He’s a classmate, not a boyfriend. Besides, I prefer surly construction workers.” She glanced back at the guy from the bar. “We’re celebrating the end of a midterm. Summer classes are brutal.” She reached out and took his hand. “Let’s find our neutral ground again, okay?” She leaned in and kissed him deeply. When he was getting ready to pull her onto his lap, she broke the kiss and slid out of the booth. “I’ve gotta go. My friends are waiting.”

“Bobbie?”

She turned and looked at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll see you soon.”

When Kyle returned with the beers, Beau was in better spirits. Bobbie had given him something to look forward to. Staying neutral had never sounded so exciting.

* * *

He and Kyle made the rounds of IKEA for the essentials. At this point, all he needed was a bed, but he’d found several things that would make the apartment feel more like home. With each purchase, he pictured Bobbie in the mix. When it came to beds, he chose the most expensive one, hoping that if he ever got her into his, she’d be comfortable enough to stay awhile. For the kitchen, he picked a table and chairs, hoping he could serve her breakfast there someday. He considered her with every choice, from coffee mugs to the live green plant he bought on a whim.

Traveling light from New York, he’d only brought the essentials like clothes, plus a few pictures and a framed quote his father loved by someone named Bujold that read, Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.

He couldn’t fault Bobbie for her convictions. She was acting with honor, but so was he. To take a company that had screwed up big-time and make sure it didn’t happen again was no small undertaking. The state had afforded them a second chance, and he would ensure they toed the line. He’d never allow them to act with dishonor again. It was against everything he stood for.

When they arrived at the apartment, he keyed in the code to the lockbox, and the keys dropped into his hand. Once he opened the door, he and Kyle moved things in quickly. Thank God they were both builders because it would take all day to assemble his new furniture—the dresser alone had hundreds of parts.

By dinnertime, the pizza they ordered for lunch was long gone, and their stomachs were growling.

“You’re going to work me to death and then starve me?” Kyle asked.

“Come on. I’ll take you to Spurs. You’ll like their food.” He tossed the tools to the side, stood up, and stretched. He looked at his unmade bed and wondered whether he’d have the energy to do anything but crawl into it and fall asleep when he got back. A loud stomach grumble said food needed to come first. “Let’s go.”

They walked the few blocks to Spurs. When they entered, the place was busy. Bobbie flew out of the kitchen with her arms stacked with plates. When she saw them, she came to a halt and smiled.

Suddenly, he didn’t feel as exhausted. They took the two empty stools at the counter and waited.

“You sly dog. You knew she worked here.” He pulled a menu from the holder.

Bobbie walked up behind us, “Drinks?” She leaned over his shoulder and whispered. “Coffee, tea, or me?”

“As if that would be a valid question. You already know the answer, but until we can act on that … beer for both of us.” He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Instead, he watched her run around the restaurant like a ferret being chased by a fox. No wonder she was so thin—she was in perpetual motion.

When she returned, Kyle ordered a burger, and he asked for the meatloaf special. Bobbie darted away to place their order. A few minutes later, she returned with their food.

“We haven’t seen you at the site in a while,” Kyle said.

He and Bobbie screamed “Neutral zone!” in unison.

“Shit, what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Bobbie scooped up some of Kyle’s ketchup on her finger and brushed it on his nose. “No talk of work. Just eat.” She moved down one spot and stood in front of him. She picked up his fork, took a bite of his meatloaf, and then disappeared into the kitchen.

“I hope she’s going to discount your meal since she’s eating part of it,” Kyle wiped the ketchup from his nose, picked up his burger, and took a bite.

“I’ll make her pay up later.”

“Now we’re talking.”

They finished their meal in silence. Kyle because he was exhausted. Beau remained silent because he debated whether there would be a later.

When Bobbie came dashing from the kitchen with two plates of steaming food in her hands, she stopped at the counter in front of him. “I get off at nine. Just sayin’.” She gave him a slow wink and was off running again.

When they were satisfied, he tossed two twenties on the counter, and they left. He had a lot of stuff to finish before inviting her inside.

“You need me to stay?”

“No, get the hell out of here.”

“I can nail it home for you if you can’t.” Kyle was getting close to seeing how hard he could nail his fist into his uncle’s mouth.

“My nailing skills are just fine. Get the hell out of here.” He left Kyle on the sidewalk and ran up the three flights of stairs to his apartment.