Page 37 of The Reluctant Roommate
Right.“A glass of the Oregon pinot noir, please.”
The bartender came across, and Heidi ordered. “Which is your happy hour wine?”
“House red or white.” He pointed to a chalkboard listing them.
“A glass of the red, please.”
Morgan bit her lip as her bank balance flashed before her eyes. Of course. She, too, should have ordered the cheaper wine.
“This looks like a cool place.” Heidi looked around. “Professional crowd, good tippers.” She hooked her hi-tops around the rungs of the stool. “Do you want to order happy hour snacks as well?”
“Sure.” Morgan studied the chalkboard list. “Want to share a plate of tapas?” It was half-price during happy hour. That wouldn’t break the bank.
“Why not.” Heidi waggled her eyebrows. “It’s not chicken wings or burgers, which is what I normally eat at work. My jeans are getting tight.”
Morgan’s gaze was snagged by the denim stretched over Heidi’s hips. “They look fine to me.”
“I carry all my weight in my hips and arse. Pear shape. You can’t see most of it under this long shirt.” She flapped the fabric, revealing a glimpse of skin above her jeans.
“Womanly shape. Not pear. You’re not a Froot Loop.”
“Not yet. Still working on that one. I told you I applied to DU for the fall, didn’t I?”
“You’re getting organized. Job, housing, college, all figured out.”
“The investigator too. I called Altitude as you suggested. I got a discount because I knew you! Only five percent, but I’ll take it.”
Morgan’s hand stilled midway between the counter and her mouth. “You mentioned me?”
“I said my roommate recommended them; Brandon asked who that was—it’s always good to know who’s recommending you. He said to pass on that whoever’s working on his portfolio now isn’t doing a good a job as you. Maybe you should ask for it back.”
Morgan licked her lips. “It doesn’t quite work like that.”
“Strange that your company would take someone off an account who was handling it well.”
She shrugged. “It’s all about balance and distribution between advisors.”
“Still. Brandon asked if I knew where you’d gone to. I think if you changed firms, he’d follow you.”
“What did you tell him?”Shit, shit.She should have thought this through before suggesting Altitude to Heidi.
“Nothing. Just that I’d pass on what he said about you being better than the new person.” She tilted her head. “Was that the wrong thing?”
“No. All good.” She let out a slow breath. Heidi didn’t seem to think anything was unusual. It would be okay. “So does he think he can find Serena?”
“He said he’d get back to me but implied it wouldn’t take too long.”
“And what will you do if he does trace her?”
“Well, I haven’t actually thought that far ahead. Send her a demand? Get lawyers that I can’t afford and if I could afford would probably take all the money she owes me? Turn up on her doorstep with a can of gasoline and a lighter?” She must have seen Morgan’s expression as she added, “Only joking. I’m a pacifist, so the answer is gentle, nonconfrontational things. Which will probably have no effect. Have you got any clients who are vigilantes?”
“Not that I know of.” Morgan laughed. “But there are a couple who wouldn’t surprise me if they were.”
“Maybe Serena’ll be somewhere gorgeous like Lake Tahoe or Aspen, and at least I’ll get a road trip out of the confrontation. You could come too, and we could drive like maniacs, plot revenge on the evil ex, and share a motel room, like we’re college kids.”
“Maybe.” Laughter trickled out of her. Heidi’s enthusiasm was infectious. When had she ever answered such a stupid plan with “Maybe”?
“Knowing my luck, she’ll be somewhere cold and dreary, like… Well, I don’t know enough about US cities to know where would qualify for that. But if she’s in Drearyville, I’ll call the lawyers.”
