“I still think we should keep it up for a while,” Kyle replied, his voice softer than before. “And you have my number. I’ll be on a job for a week or two, but I still want a call if he bugs you again.”
“Sure. It will teach me to date lawyers. My dad always warned me,” MaeBe said with a grin that lit up her face. “I’m sticking to geeks from now on. If a guy can’t speak computer or doesn’t own a bunch of board games, this shop is closed. How about you, Noelle? You’re a science girl. Do you date other scientists?”
Noelle was fairly certain MaeBe didn’t notice the way Kyle’s face had flushed slightly.
He liked the woman but he didn’t think he was her type.
“I don’t date much, but I think opposites can attract. I wouldn’t want someone who was too like me, you know.” Which was why she should stay away from Hutch. Why had he not gotten an undergrad degree? Why didn’t he carry himself the way the other military guys did? “It’s good to have someone in your life who can bring a different perspective. As long as that person is willing to listen to you as well. It’s hard when you meet someone set in their ways and their views.”
“Hutch called her a hick,” Kyle said with a shrug.
MaeBe’s eyes went wide. “What? Hutch wouldn’t say that.” She turned to Noelle. “I don’t know what you heard, but Hutch is like the best. He’s a great boss, and he’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. Super laid back.”
“He threatened Tag,” Kyle continued.
MaeBe turned his way. “What? Dude, I need the lowdown on this meeting. What did Tag do? Did they fight over those awesome muffins? Did you try one or are you watching your carbs?”
“Watch my carbs?” Kyle frowned. “I don’t have to watch my carbs. And Noelle brought them in.”
“My Aunt Lisa knows Mr. Taggart from way back and told me the best way to soften him up was to offer him something lemony,” Noelle replied. “I like to bake. I got it from my mom. I like to think that all those times we spent in the kitchen together were my first experiments. I’m glad you liked them. And I wasn’t that offended by what Hutch said. It’s not like I’ve never heard it before. I’m from small-town Southern Louisiana. I’ve been called a hick many times.”
“I never used that word.” Hutch was in the doorway, frowning her way. “And I’ve apologized. I know what it’s like to be stereotyped, so I shouldn’t have done it. Now, MaeBe, do you have our credentials?”
MaeBe stood up taller. “All done, boss. Anyone looks and you are from Papillon, Louisiana, by way of Dallas. You and your brother Kyle were born here in Texas. You moved to Louisiana when your dad took a job at a place called Beaumont Oil. I can’t change your accents so you can’t be born there. You met your girlfriend in high school. The rest of the story you two need to work out, but let me know if I can get you anything. You’ll find you have a credit card, library privileges at the Papillon Parish Library, and a grocery store discount card. I also Photoshopped some pics of you and your bro there. And I hacked the high school archives, so there’s some sweet pics of you and Noelle at senior prom.”
What? This was all moving fast. “How did you do that? I didn’t even know there was an archive.”
MaeBe gave her a grin and brushed her electric pink nails over her shirt. “I’m just that good.”
Hutch moved to his desk. “MaeBe is taking over some of our deep-cover logistics. She’s good at making sure anyone who tries to do a trace on one of us sees what we want them to see. She’s got a creative mind.”
“She’s thorough is what she is,” Kyle corrected.
“And creative.” MaeBe smiled and walked toward the door. “I take all compliments, thank you. I left packets on your desks. Let me know if you need anything else. I live two blocks from Noelle’s building. Noelle, if they cuddle together on the couch, get me pics. Hey, boss? Where’s my treat?”
Hutch chuckled and his hand disappeared inside a…was that a Star Wars cookie jar on his desk? It didn’t contain cookies. He pulled out a small packet. “Mixed berry Skittles.”
He tossed it and MaeBe reached up to catch the candy. “Thanks, boss. I love these. Y’all be good.”
She practically bounced out of the room.
Were they really staying at her place? She hadn’t woken up this morning thinking she would have two houseguests, much less two men she didn’t know. Surely this wasn’t what her dad had planned. “MaeBe seems competent. Are you sure…”