Piece of My Heart (Fostering Love 4)

I gave her a thumbs-down from across the parking lot, then watched as she shook her head at me and pulled out of her parking spot. As soon as she’d driven away, I climbed into my truck and drove home.

Nothing was going to ruin my mood, not even the fact that I’d probably be late for work. I couldn’t believe how fantastic the night had been. How well I’d slept in a bed that wasn’t mine. How good the sex was this morning, even though we both went to great lengths to not let the other person smell our morning breath.

I thought about calling Ani but stopped myself. This thing with Sarai had turned into something too big to discuss with my best friend. Too private and fragile. At some point, I knew that I’d probably go to Ani and Bram for advice, maybe even ask my sister, Kate, for some, but at this point, calling them felt too much like bragging.

I didn’t want to brag about my night with Sarai. I wanted to keep it to myself for just a little while. Just between us.

* * *

Work is so boring today.

I smiled as I read the text from Sarai. I understood how she felt. It was lunchtime, and most of my coworkers were at home, showering off after their testing, while I was sitting there with little to do. By the time I’d finished the paperwork I’d been in the middle of, I’d known I wouldn’t have time to make it off base before everyone came back, so I’d ended up getting fast food and eating it at my desk while I searched for cheap flights home.

How do you feel about flying out at 8 on Wednesday? I asked, leaning back in my chair. Eight o’clock would be cutting it kind of close after work, but if she was all packed and ready to go, I could grab her on the way to the airport.

That works for me. We usually go home early that day so I should have plenty of time. How much are the tickets?

I grinned.

None of your business. You just worry about my magazines.

Her reply was almost instant.

I’ll just start paying you back by stuffing bills in your shorts when you strip.

I sent my reply just as people started filtering in the front door.

Remind me to bring my boom box next time I come over.

“Evans,” Sean called, walking toward my desk. “Must be nice to sit on your ass all morning.”

It wasn’t, actually. It sucked. I didn’t say anything, just gave him a tight smile.

“I killed it this morning,” he said, pulling up a chair and dropping into it.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yup.”

I nodded but wasn’t sure why he was still at my desk. We didn’t really do that type of thing. He wasn’t like Clover, who’d sit down and bullshit when we had time. Sean was usually trying to find a new person to impress with his epic boasting.

“So what was up with your girl last night?” Sean asked. He didn’t lower his voice like he was genuinely concerned about it. Nope, he said it loud enough for half the people in the office to hear. I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

“Not sure what you mean,” I replied calmly.

“She damn near bit my head off because I didn’t know she was Jewish,” he said, throwing his hands in the air with a laugh. “I mean, how was I supposed to know she’s Jewish? Not like I can check for circumcision.”

I stared at him in disgust.

“You’re a fucking idiot,” I replied.

“What?” he laughed like I was joking and glanced around, like he was waiting for someone else to laugh with him.

It took every piece of willpower I had not to say anything else. If I called him out on how he treated his live-in girlfriend, I’d potentially be opening myself up to a goddamn fist fight in the middle of work. That was the type of guy Sean was—he’d never let something like that go.

“You’re a fucking idiot,” I repeated slowly, my voice flat.

Sean’s head jerked back in surprise just as Clovis ambled over to my desk.

“What did he do this time?” he asked, jerking his chin toward Sean.

“He’s all bent out of shape because his girlfriend doesn’t like me,” Sean said. I could see him gearing up for what would be a huge fucking blowup, when Clovis slapped him hard on the back.

“She’s got good taste,” he joked.

We watched Sean stomp off across the room, and I let out a sigh. I couldn’t fucking stand that guy.

“Thanks, man,” I said to Clovis as he leaned against my desk.

“What was that all about?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Sarai handed him his ass last night, so he came over trying to save face,” I said, leaning back in my chair.

Clovis laughed. “What a dick.”