Page 42 of Devil's Marker

Boss walked over to Win. “Take my little girl out to lunch, would you? It’ll be good practice for you to learn how to talk to nice women. Leave your cut. Go in her car. And take her someplace where S&B would never go. Sushi or some such shit.”

Win took off his cut and handed it to Bo. “Hang onto this until I get back.”

He walked over to R.C. “Ms. Greer. Since you’re here, would you allow me to buy you lunch?”

She looked over at her dad then whispered to Win, “I told you I’m not interested in you.”

“Come on. Do me a favor. I’m new here, which means my presence isn’t essential to powwows and my prez gave me an order. You like sushi?”

“I do like sushi, but I don’t like bein’ set up because my dad is busy.”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “It’s not like I won’t enjoy it, you know.”

She looked his face over. “You look different. Better.”

“God, I hope so.”

“Okay. Sushi. Then I’m bringing you back here.”

“After you.”

Win turned back to Boss. “Later.” He gave a half salute as he followed R.C. out the door.

The sushi place on the lake had patio seating and it was a nice day. So they sat out on the water.

After they ordered, she said, “The rosy color under your eyes brings out the navy blue.”

“That a compliment? You like the color of my eyes?” he teased.

She shrugged and looked away as if she wasn’t concerned. “It’s a designer comment. I notice color. No big deal.”

“Why’d you come this weekend, Arcy? D’you come to see me?”

She gaped and almost spluttered. “Certainly not. You think I’d drive a hundred miles just to see you?”

“Hope so. I’d drive a lot further than that to see you.”

“Well, that’s your problem. Unfortunately for you, I’m not interested. You own nothing but a motorcycle and a leather vest.”

He smiled and did nothing to indicate otherwise. He simply said, “I do own those things.” After eating a fish roll, he said, “You been thinking about me all week?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“That’s not ridiculous. I’ve been thinking about you all week.”

He saw something change in her eyes, but she immediately brought her guard back up. “If I did have any interest in you, it would be extremely short term and extremely casual.”

Win’s lips twitched. “You’re sayin’ you want to get familiar with me?”

“I might be persuaded if there was a clear understanding that I’m talkin’ short term.”

His smile widened and looked a little wolfish. “You mean you might deign to give me a tumble but then you want me to play like I never saw you before.”

The server brought pretty fish rolls and set them down on the table. She took a sip of water, suddenly looking nervous.

“That sounds harsh.”

“No. It doesn’t sound harsh. It sounds like a dick move.”