So although I had a lot on my mind, I was also scanning the area just in case Tex’s radar pinged and sent him on a mission to ream my ass, throw away my latte and drag me to Fortnum’s to make me a coffee.
I knew this sounded weird. It was also true.
But outside of being unfaithful to Tex’s coffees and the possible consequences of that, what was on my mind wasn’t that I’d been waiting over an hour for Indy to show. It also wasn’t that none of the Hot Bunch were taking my calls so I could ask what was happening with Rosie. It further wasn’t the fact that this informational lockout pissed me off, considering I might not be a member of their team, but it was my apartment that had blown sky high because Rosie dropped my name, so I had the right to know.
What was on my mind was that my boss had called and told me not to go into work that night.
This was because I was fired.
He was nice about it, and truth be told, I was expecting it. He’d put up with me a lot longer than I would have put up with me, that was certain.
Suffice it to say, I wasn’t a stellar employee. Shit went down with the Rock Chicks, not to mention my cases, and there were only so many times you could call in when your friends had been kidnapped or you’d been in a high speed chase and totaled your car or you needed to stake out a cheating husband.
That shit no longer flew, even if my friend was buried alive and I was a key player in her rescue and the next day my apartment had exploded. Drinks needed to be served. I got that. And it had to be said, these excuses, although honest, were frequent. So I also got that would be a little alarming for any employer.
So now I had a lot to do, including serious shopping, which would have been made easier by the gift cards at my pad that were probably melted. My insurance would undoubtedly not cover everything, and my income had been significantly reduced. Fortnum’s sold a shitload of coffee and the tip jar was never light. Then again, the tips at Brother’s were a whole lot better, so that was going to be a hit.
I also had a decision to make because I’d known for some time a career as a bartender/barista was not for me.
Now I had an excuse to make things official.
But, although licensing was voluntary for investigators in Colorado, to be taken seriously and charge that way, I needed a license. And this might be a problem. I no doubt had the hours of investigation logged to get it. I just did not have those hours in any official capacity. Lee, Hank, Eddie or my dad would have to vouch for me, and the prospect of that happening was not rosy.
I also now had a boyfriend, and always had a family who would not take kindly to this career shift. And by “not take kindly” I meant their reactions would be volatile.
But it was what I wanted to do, and not on a whim. I’d been doing it for a long time, and loving it, and now I had the opportunity and the time to go for it.
I just had to manage the reactions of those around me.
On that thought, I activated my phone, checked the time then scanned the area.
Still no Indy.
Fuck.
It wasn’t like we didn’t disagree or even fight.
But this kind of silent anger was not her thing and it unnerved me.
I was about to hit buttons to call her again when my phone rang with the display saying, “Zano Calling.”
I took the call and put my phone to my ear. “Hey.”
“Hey, baby. She show?”
My insides warmed. He was checking in because he was concerned for me.
Totally sweet.
“Not yet,” I replied.
“She will.”
Totally supportive, which was also sweet.
On this thought, I saw her blue Beetle drive by, Indy’s redhead at the wheel.
I let out a breath and said, “She just drove by.”
“Good,” he murmured.
“It’ll take half an hour for her to find a parking spot, which is plenty of time for me to get her a coffee,” I told him as I left my table and headed inside. “So I’m on that.”
“It’s gonna be okay, Ally.”
Jeez. This together together shit with Ren was so easy.
And awesome.
“Thanks, babe,” I whispered.
“See you tonight.”
“Later, Zano.”
“Later, honey.”
We disconnected, and by the time I came out with the coffees and resumed my seat, Indy had found a parking spot and was walking up to my table.
