Chapter 36
MONDAY
IN WHICH DESSA GOES BACK TO WORK
Even after four days off, Monday started too early, as it always did.
A call from Dessa’s parents woke her before her alarm, and she listened with her eyes closed as they crowed about her latest “victory” through a splotchy signal from somewhere deep in the Pacific Northwest—how they always knew she was fated to save lives.
Though her parents would have lauded her for a crayon drawing, she sleepily drank in their joy all the same.
Even if she had still desperately wanted to sleep for another hour.
Instead, he came out with a (if not cheerful, then certainly not grumpy), “Good morning, Ms. McKinney.”
“Um, good morning, Arthur.” Though her voice sounded mostly normal, Dessa’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head.
Wow. Had Arthur ever actually greeted her by name before?
Was this because she’d almost died? Because they’d solved the case?
Or was he sick? Mug in hand, she peeked out of the break room to see him setting his briefcase down and booting up his computer.
He didn’t make eye contact as he added, “Since your uncle told me that you’ve officially taken his position, I’ve sent you the in-processing paperwork I’m going to need done by the end of the day.”
And there it was. Dessa almost let out a sigh of relief. At least they were back to normal. “No problem, Arthur.”
Richard came next, floating listlessly about as he nosed around their stuff.
“You can just relax. I’ve told the story ten times this weekend, and I know you’ve already heard it so I’m not telling you again.” Dessa tried to wave him off. “At least go get fresh gossip from the Brew.”
“Okay, but I’ll only spill if you let me tell your firsthand account. The ladies need details, and Jamison promised to go see them this week.” With her muttered agreement, he disappeared through the wall, and Dessa could only hope the gossip ghosts would keep him busy until at least the afternoon.
Then there was Jamison. He walked in with four cups of whipped-cream-topped caffeine goodness and a bag of pastries, and honestly Dessa could’ve kissed him right there.
“Good morning, AzRIO oompa-loompas.”
Dessa sidled up to him. “Please tell me one of those is for me.”
He held the cups out of reach. “No, I just decided I would torture you all a little bit on my first official day by drinking them all in front of you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Dessa crossed her arms with a mock growl. “You do not want to see me in caffeine withdrawal.”
Jamison pretended to weigh his options. “How about, I’ll give them to you if you write my activity report for me?”
“Not allowed!” Arthur chimed in from his desk.
“Okay, okay.” Jamison leaned in closer in a stage whisper. “What if I give them to you if you secretly write my activity report for me?”
“Don’t make me regret recommending you!” Arthur called.
“Aw, don’t worry, Arthur, I have a bribe for you too!”
This time, Arthur only shot them a glare, and Dessa masked her laughter with a cough.
Before she could say anything, Melba strolled in and plucked her coffee from the carton.
“Thank you, sonny-boy.” She blew him an air kiss.
“You’re my new office favorite. Don’t tell Dessa Blue though.
” Dessa wrinkled her nose at the woman, and Melba shrugged, pushing her huge sunglasses atop her head.
“What can I say, girlie? I’m a lush when it comes to java. ”
“Speaking of girlies.” Dessa turned back to Jamison. “Richard says you have a meeting with the gossip ghost girls today.”
Jamison snorted. “I do try to be a man of my word, even if it is raining.” He raised a brow, his smile sobering just a little. “You want to come?”
Dessa pursed her lips, the unspoken question lingering between them. She could call Peter. Tell him they found his sister and she was recovering well. Tell him she was sorry for everything. Tell him how much she still missed him. But then…Carly’s warning echoed through her:
One day you will, and a warning he will spill.
She glanced at Arthur fighting with the printer, while Melba petted Kiwi-Fred, and Jamison waited with a patient smile. Maybe she was being selfish, but she wasn’t quite ready to bring another crisis on their head today. Today, she just wanted to live in the present.
Finally, she wrinkled her nose at the storm pattering their windows. “Nah, I’ll take a rain check. Tell them I’ll visit soon though.”
Jamison nodded. “Okay, but tell me, is there like a magic umbrella or something I can bring?”
“Don’t worry.” Melba glanced at his white button-down. “I’m sure the ladies won’t mind if your shirt gets wet, or you know…you lose it completely.”
Dessa nearly spat out her coffee with a shriek. “Melba!”
They laughed and joked as they worked through their emails and their reports. By the time the official opening hour rolled around, it was hard to ignore the gaggle of neighborhood rubberneckers gathered on the sidewalk. But when the door unlocked at 8:01, it was Rhett who knocked first.
“Come in!” Jamison yelled with a roll of his eyes.
With a happy jangle of the bell, Rhett strode to Dessa’s desk, and taking her hand, knelt on the floor.
“I owe you my life, Dessa McKinney.” He rose and then moved to Jamison’s desk, performing the same thing as a crowd of Vampires clogged the entryway, waiting to be welcomed in too.
“And you, Jamison Kane. I owe you a life debt and pledge that you have my loyalty until such debt is fulfilled.”
Dessa had, in fact, seen this act before and could only raise her brows. “Does this mean you’re going to be hanging around AzRIO even more?’
“Well of course, I do believe we make an excellent team, do we not?” He shot her a fanged grin that faded as Brynn barged in.
She practically bared her teeth when she saw Rhett.
“Does he live here or something?” Brynn brushed past Rhett until she was only inches away from Dessa, close-talking as the wolves tended to do.
They seriously needed to have a talk about personal space with these people.
“I just wanted to say thanks, and if you ever need anything, you can give the North Pack a call. We’ve got you. ”
“Why would they need the pack when they have the clan?” Rhett sniffed.
And in two seconds, they’d devolved into the kind of bickering that made it even more clear it was a Monday.
Melba welcomed the Vampires in, and in a second, they were swamped.
Even Richard reappeared to take his usual spot on the couch as he eavesdropped with a smarmy grin while Kiwi-Fred settled in beside him with a series of chattering chirps.
Dessa raised a brow at Kiwi, and she could’ve sworn the bird bobbed his head in acknowledgment.
That settled it. Magic or no, he was not an ordinary bird.
Somehow in the Monday madness, Jamison made his way over to Dessa, a crash of thunder rumbling outside.
“Still glad you took the job?”
Dessa knocked her cup against his. “Honestly, Jamison Kane, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” She leaned into Jamison, her stomach cartwheeling as he nudged her back.
And strangely, it was true. Because no matter if she failed or succeeded, this place would always be her home, and these people would always be her friends. No matter what their strange paranormal world threw their way, she’d be there for them, and they for her.
And honestly, she couldn’t ask for more.
Even if it was a Monday.