Page 14 of Penalty Shots

“I’m going to regret this.”

“Regret what?” he asks.

I breathe in deeply and let it go before meekly saying, “Thank you.”

I don't think that's the reaction he expected from me.

He shakes his head incredulously, “Did you just say–”

“Thank you,” I say a little louder, turning to face him. “Nobody stands up for me… the way you do.”

From the corner of the dark office, I hear the sound of slow clapping, and we both step apart and look back.

"Aww. That was just… so beautiful," the blonde woman purrs. She pulls the heels she had kicked up on her makeshift desk and rises from the chair.

"Hello, Keelan. And… hello, Rina." Her bright eyes could slice me with just her look.

My mouth goes dry.

It can't be.

She can't be.

Keelan clears his throat. "Jenny." He looks at me and my shocked expression before asking, "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

My old college roommate smiles. Her glossy pink lips curl up in a devilish grin just as there's a knock on my door.

I unlock it and open it in what feels like a blur as I try to wrap my mind around seeing Jenny here—in my office—of all places.

Mack walks in. "Ah, I see you've met my new hire," she says, beaming in her direction. Then she sees Keelan standing behind me.

"You," she says, pointing a finger at him. "We need to talk."

"I feel so wanted today," he pulls a red lollipop out of his pocket, removes the plastic off of it, and sticks it into his mouth while stuffing the wrapper into his back pocket.

"That's not always a good thing," Mack says.

He grins, "I don't know. I kinda like the attention."

"You can expect an email from me," Mack says to him.

He nods.

"Later, ladies." He salutes while walking toward the door. "Don't have too much fun without me."

"Goodbye, Landry," Mack and I both say in unison.

He finally shuts the door behind him, and my attention goes back to the newest office member. She's standing in the corner, arms crossed, watching me.

"I swear," Mack says. "You've come at the perfect time. Because Keelan Landry could single-handedly bring down this entire organization if he's not kept in check." She crosses over to my desk and pulls a chair over to face us both.

"He won't," I assure her. "I'm already all over it."

"Oh, I'm sure you are, Lopez. But with the help of Ms. Cobbs here, we'll be able to pull double duty on staying on top of everything."

I manage to smile. "Of course," I say.

I glance at Jennyfer. Her face is frozen in a half grin, half glare.