Page 27 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy

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I should have.

I turn off the photo and set the phone facedown on my desk.

"You're brooding."

I look up.

Colum leans against the doorway, tie loosened, jacket slung over one shoulder. He looks like someone who just closed a deal and is now deciding whether to celebrate with whiskey or karaoke.

Knowing Colum, probably both.

"I'm working."

"You're staring at a blank screen and frowning. That's brooding." He steps inside, drops into the chair across from me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Gunther. I've known you for six years. You get a specific wrinkle between your eyebrows when you're worried. It's there right now."

I resist the urge to touch my forehead. "The plaza's fine."

"I didn't ask about the plaza."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because you've been weird since that party." He tilts his head, studying me. "The one where you dressed up like a bad romance novel cover and disappeared with a woman whose name you don't know."

"I wasn't?—"

"You wore a leather jacket and henna tattoos, Gunther. You wereexactlythat."

I don't have a good argument.

Colum sighs. "Look. I'm glad you let loose. You needed it. But if you're going to mope about Mystery Woman, at least tell me so I can help."

"There's nothing to help with."

"Did you try finding her?"

"How? I don't know her name. Don't know where she lives. Don't even know if she remembers me."

"You could ask around. Someone at the party might know."

"I already did. Nobody remembers her."

Which is true. I spent two weeks casually asking anyone who'd been at Colum's celebration if they knew a woman who went by "Sis" or "Sis." Every lead went nowhere.

It's like she vanished.

Colum watches me for a long moment. Then he stands, claps me on the shoulder. "You'll find her. Or you won't. Either way, life goes on."

"Inspiring."

"I'm a giver." He heads for the door, pauses. "By the way. Plaza walk-through tomorrow morning. Ten AM. I want you there."

"I was just there."

"Great. Then you'll have notes."

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