I shook my head with a smile from behind her. Man, she’s something else.
Straight past regret and right on to damage control.
She looked around awkwardly in search of one of our cars but came up empty. I pointed to the blacked-out Suburban I’d hired, waiting double-parked a few cars down with its four-ways on.
“You didn’t drive yourself?” she asked suspiciously.
“No. I thought this would be easier. Especially since you already have a car in the city, and I was going to need to leave the feline demon in the car long enough to stalk you. Where’d you park, by the way?”
Her chest rose and fell noticeably as she expelled a deep sigh—another action of design, no doubt.
“In the garage at your office.”
“Fantastic. I’ll take that home tomorrow.”
“Thatcher—”
“Not yet, Crazy. I know it’s absolutely killing you not to be giving me excuses right now, but not yet.”
Her brow creased with concern, and for the first time since she’d been busted, she looked worried she might have taken it too far.
I walked her to the back passenger side door and opened it for her, waiting until she settled in the seat to close it and walk to the back hatch. With a push of a button, the latch released, and the door lifted in a slow, steady motion with low, successive beeps. Cassie turned in her seat to look over her shoulder.
“Be right back,” I told her. “Just have to see to a little reunion first.”
She watched avidly as I grabbed Walter’s crate, and he attempted to swat at me through the grated front. “Take a chill pill, dude. You’ll be all set to cuddle soon.”
Stan stood up on the sidewalk and started to bark, like he could smell the little shitstain in my arms. It was incredible really, the bond the two of them had. I had a feeling their deaths were going to be perfectly timed and romantic like Noah and Allie in The Notebook. I didn’t know the logistics of how they’d hold hands, but I didn’t know the logistics of a lot of things they did.
I was just setting a wildly gyrating Walter’s crate on the sidewalk in front of Stan when Kline pulled up in his Dad-mobile—a Suburban. It was a slight upgrade from his previous ride, but I knew it didn’t have anything to do with status. It was purely a square footage game. The only other option for transporting Stan was a trailer.
“You couldn’t have lost the cat on the way here?” Kline asked as he hopped out from behind the wheel. Unfortunately for him, it was perfectly timed with Georgia’s exit from the store.
“Kline Brooks!”
He didn’t even falter, easing his face into a warm smile and shrugging. “Sorry, baby. I can’t change how I feel.”
“So…” I segued as Georgia hustled the kids, Walter, and Stan into the car one by one. “Is it all set up?”
“Yes. I ran by there after the office, and Lexi and Wes helped me do the dirty work,” Kline affirmed. “Though, I’m not really sure why you want to do this tonight of all nights. A reward system like this only reinforces today’s behavior.”
I smiled. “Yeah. I know who I married.” Georgia walked back to the front of the car to rejoin our circle. “Honestly, are either of you actually surprised by today? Because if you are, I’m disappointed in you.”
Georgia smiled and Kline sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and sinking his hips into the front bumper of his car. “Just try to leave us out of it in the future.”
“Are you kidding?” Georgia disputed. “I’m finally getting good at lying! I think it’s all the practice.”
“My wife’s goals, people,” Kline muttered. “Successful deception.”
I had to laugh. But I also had to get moving. The sun was setting, and the whole thing was really more effective in the light of day.
“We’ll see you at Wes and Winnie’s place.”
Kline saluted, but Georgia broke down in body-wracking tears.
What in hell’s kitchen?
“Georgie?” Kline questioned, stepping forward to put an arm around her.
“I…want…her…to…think…I’m…in…trouble,” she forced out in between fake heaves.
Color me impressed, Georgie girl is getting good at lying…
I raised my eyebrows in delight. “Hot damn, son. Looks like Georgia’s in the game after all.”
Kline was less optimistic. “Jesus Christ. I don’t know if I like this turn of events.”
“Aw, baby,” she cooed, turning in his arms to shove her face into his neck. “You’ll get used to it.”
A smart move on her part, giving him all of that body contact. His face melted immediately into visible pleasure. I took that as my cue to exit. After all, my hot babe was waiting for me in the car.