The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

“What reasons?”

“To keep shutting me down? Tell me what’s holding you back. Maybe I can put your mind at ease.”

She growled and took a step back. “Has it ever occurred to you I just don’t like you in that way?”

“No, I’m pretty sure you do.”

She snorted. “Wow. Cocky much?”

“Yes, but you like that about me, too.”

She searched the ceiling for her response. “Oh my God. You’re impossible.”

“That wasn’t a no.”

“Really? That’s your takeaway from this conversation?”

“What can I say? I’m an optimist. And I have an idea.”

“Does it involve calling reception to see if another room has become available?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We”—I reached for my wallet—“are going on our first date.”

Sage blinked, her expression deadpan. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Grab your coat. I’m taking you to the best place in town.” I sat on the bed to lace up my boots.

“Right now? We can’t leave. We’re monitoring Dante.”

“He’s done for the night. Look at him. He’s on his sofa searching Netflix. Besides, I can check on him with my cell phone.”

“But…is it safe for us to be out in public?”

“The investigation has nothing on us. And unless Dante sends scouts to the same dive bar we’re going to, it’s completely safe.”

“Hold up.” She raised a palm. “You want to take me to a dive bar?”

“Not just any dive bar.The bestdive bar in Philly. You’ll hate the place. It’s perfect.”

When Sage made no move to get organized, I placed her shoes beside her. “Come on. You must be as desperate as I am to get out of here for a while. And how cool is this? One day, when we’re old and arthritic, we’ll tell our grandkids about this night. Gran and Pop’s first date.”

“You seriously need to shut up right now.”

“Get your things on and I promise not to mention our future grandchildren for the rest of the date.”

“This is so not a date,” Sage grumbled as she slipped her shoes on.

It was definitely a date.