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.