Just a Taste (Private Relations 1)

Sounding almost shy, she said, “Hey, you.”

“How did the job go today?”

With what sounded like profound relief, she said, “Much quicker than I thought it would. Bret is turning out to be an amazing hire. He’s really stepping up.”

“Good. I’m glad. You work too hard.”

Pausing for a minute, Sara asked, “What makes you say that?”

Laughing, Deacon said, “Every time I talk to you, you’re either on the way to a job, at a job, prepping for a job, or tired because you just wrapped up a job.”

“True story. But Edible Innovations is my baby. Things were scary at first. I sank everything into the company. They got better, and I’m out of the woods now. I still work like a demon even though I don’t really need to anymore. It’s just habit, I guess. Does that make sense?”

“Absolutely. Failure is not an option.”

“Yeah. Exactly that. Your contract was a huge part of that, by the way.”

“You guys were the best for the job. I’m glad I didn’t do the vetting. I probably would’ve avoided your company, honestly.”

Silent for a moment, Sara said, “Really?”

“Yeah. Turning around in the lobby and seeing you sitting there with that tiny little smirk on your face? It hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt guilty for being a dick and wanted to bend you over my desk at the same time. It was a strange mix. Plus the awkward as ass apology at your office. Totally would have passed your company over.”

“Well. Not sure what to say there. I mean, I get it, but…I wasn’t smirking, was I?”

“You were. What I have to say won’t always be what you want to hear, but I won’t lie to you. Ever.”

“That’s respectable,” Sara said.

After a minute of silence, she asked, “So how did football and drinking go?”

“We lost. My sister and Chris mocked me incessantly…because someone scratched my back a little bit and Chloe saw before I put a shirt on. Then they both kicked my ass at Mario Kart. It was a rough afternoon. I guess the fantastic morning kinda balances it out though.”

“Sorry about the scratching. I didn’t really mean to do that. It was kinda your fault though,” Sara said. “And what made your morning so fantastic?”

Eyebrow raised, Deacon asked, “Why, Sara! Are you fishing?”

“Damn right.”

Smiling now, he said, “Waking up with you. It’s been a while since I let myself get involved with anyone.”

Sara confessed, “I don’t normally do the sleepover thing. Since I moved out here, I’m finding myself involved with people that don’t do more than casual.”

“Hmm. Not really sure what to say to that,” Deacon said with a frown.

Sighing, Sara said, “I’m open to more than casual, but I tend to end up with people…I really can’t make that sound much better than what I said a minute ago. I date douche bags. People who are similarly driven to succeed tend to be selfish. You’re a welcome change.”

Relieved, Deacon said, “I’m glad you think so. I know I was a dick to you way back when. I really don’t want you to see me as that kind of person.”

“Deacon, when I said it was the past and that I was letting it go, I meant it. I can see you’re not that guy or, if you are, you’re hiding it really, really well. Do you really think I would sleep with you if I was holding a grudge? You’re great in bed, but I’m not that hard up.”

Giving a surprised laugh, he said, “Geez. Tell me what you’re really thinking.”

Laughing, Sara said, “Hey, you’re the one talking about honesty here. I just want to be clear.”

“Mostly douche bags, huh? What’s that about?”

“It hasn’t been that way always. I had a near miss on getting married right after college, then decided I would rather focus on my career when that went south. I guess I picked douche bags so I wouldn’t have to put in the work.”