“I am sorry you had to see that,” grumbled Branch.
Sadly, it wasn’t the first time he had seen that. The building security knew not to let her up there, but she always managed to get by them somehow. Maris had been forced to get dressed and after Branch yelled at her for a solid five minutes – his voice was pretty raw – he had his uncle remove her and instructed him to punish her in some way.
“It’s fine,” said Mira, flashing him one of her wide smiles. “One of my neighbors – Mr. Glicker – used to parade around in his underwear all the time. It was a banana hammock, he was eighty years old and sixty pounds overweight. Seeing a pretty woman in a bra and panties is actually a welcome change.”
She was rearranging the sandwiches in her basket and didn’t seem unduly concerned that she had just found a half-naked crazy woman in Branch’s bathroom.
“You’re not mad?” he asked cautiously.
“No, of course not.”
Instinct told him this was a trap. “Are you sure?”
Mira gave him a patient look. “Well, we’re not really together, right?”
Branch grunted.
“Besides, it’s kind of obvious she’s into you – it’s not that big of a surprise that she’d try something like this. I’ve met women like her before. For a moment I thought she tried to drop the tree on me the other night.”
“What?!”
If Maris had tried to hurt her…
Mira waved her hand. “Honestly, when I think about it, I’m sure it was just an accident. After all, Ariel was the one who secured that wire and she was more than a little distracted that night, and your uncle was watching Maris.”
Branch grunted again. “I will make sure this does not happen again.”
“No worries, anyway, brought you a sandwich.” She waved it at him playfully before tossing it in his direction. “And, a cupcake. Actually, I won’t throw that – it’ll be messy.”
She walked it over to him.
“Thank you.”
“I love my new phone by the way – it’s very much appreciated. If you want me to pay you back…”
“No,” he growled. “It was a gift.”
“Phew! I only have two kidneys, and I’m pretty attached to both of them. Honestly, the phone is fantastic. I’ve downloaded like fifty apps already, and I’m addicted to emojis. I’ve been driving Temp crazy. I may use up all the credit you put on there within a week.”
“I am pleased you are enjoying it.”
“So, see you tonight?”
“Yes, I will collect you at seven.”
“Great.”
She hefted her basket, staggering slightly, and Branch eagerly got to his feet, removing it from her grasp.
“This is far too heavy for you,” he griped.
“Oh, it’s only heavy at the start – every sandwich I sell makes it a little lighter. So the quicker I get going…”
She raised her eyebrows in a hint that he completely ignored. He was not about to allow her to hurt herself when it could easily be avoided.
“Nonsense. Mal!” he roared.
Mira’s face scrunched. “Very loud, dude.”
Her use of the name ‘dude’ only incensed him more.
“Mal!” he thundered.
His head enforcer flew through the door, eagerly searching for danger.
“Alpha?” he panted.
He must have been on another floor of the building.
“Find an enforcer to carry Mira’s basket for her.”
Mal only paused for a second before that sunk in, then he nodded and pulled out his cell to call one of his men.
“That’s not necessary,” Mira whispered just a tad disapprovingly.
“I can’t allow you to struggle around the building.”
Mira pulled a face like she was going to argue and then merely nodded. “You’re right – it would look bad in front of your herd. We have to keep up appearances – you have to look like you care.”
Branch frowned. “No, I…”
“Good save, dude.”
Branch scowled as Mal announced that one of their enforcers – Ed – would take her around the building.
Mira happily waved goodbye while Mal took the basket for the time being. Branch fumed as he slumped at his desk. His desire was thoroughly doused. Maris’ antics coupled with Mira’s dismissiveness saw to that.
Mira treating him like a casual acquaintance bothered him. She was behaving how he wanted her to – how he asked her to, and he didn’t like it one damn bit.