“Point taken. Just do me a favor and look at your watch on the way out. Maybe she’ll take the hint.”
“I don’t wear a watch.”
“Right. Well, pretend. Stare at your wrist for two seconds.”
I get up.
“I’ll wrestle them to the ground and give them detention.”
Julie gives me a curdled smile.
“Late at night, if you ever wonder why you don’t work here anymore, remember this moment.”
I open the office door.
“I’ll tell Abbot you’re on the case when I see him Monday.”
“Tell him to call me. It would be nice to discuss a fee.”
“I’ll give him your number.”
“Good night, Stark.”
“Good night.”
I walk over to Candy’s desk and make a big show of looking at my wrist.
“What are you doing?” says Candy.
“Looking at my watch.”
“You don’t have a watch. You barely have socks.”
“I’m supposed to be hinting about the time. Julie’s request.”
“Oh.”
Candy glances at Julie’s office.
“I guess I lost track of time.”
“It’s cool,” says Alessa. “I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss.”
She gets up. Candy comes from around the desk and gives her a hug.
“Call me tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Let’s figure out a time to get the whole band together.”
“Great.”
Alessa tosses her noodles into the trash and heads for the stairs.
“See you around, Stark.”
I give her a wave.
“You too.”
Candy comes over and kisses me hard.
“Isn’t this the best thing ever? We might be an actual band with an actual guitarist.”
“You’re a guitarist.”
“I’m a guitar player. I know three chords. Alessa is a guitarist. Big difference.”
“Well, I hope it all works out and you get to work together.”
“Me too.”
“You need a ride home?”
She shakes her head.
“I have tons of reports and paperwork to do. I’ll be here late.”
“Okay. I might stop by Bamboo House myself. I’ll see you at home.”
She sits down at her desk.
“Tell Carlos hi for me.”
“I will.”
I start for the stairs and she blows me a kiss. I wink at her.
I head for the Catalina parked around the corner and see Alessa smoking a cigarette on the corner. She turns and sees me.
“You need a ride or something?” I say.
“No thanks. I have a cab coming.”
“Okay. Chihiro is pretty excited about working with you. I haven’t seen her this happy in a while.”
“Chihiro’s cool. And her band is all right. I can work with them.”
“Good luck. They’re a handful.”