The Devil's Nest, Monday evening

[texted3times]

Tiny had an inordinate amount of maraschino cherries and toothpicks out tonight.

"I'm not going to ask," Eric told him. "I'm not."

The Devil's Nest was open. Tiny was apparently inspired.

Comments

[solo_sword]

Jaina suspected the reason Jay told her she should take the night off was because she was in her head and being annoying.

Which she was, and yeah, she probably was.

"Interesting theme you've got here," she said.

[texted3times]

"It's called 'better off not knowing,'" Eric said with a grin. "Hello, stranger!"

[solo_sword]

"You say that like you missed me," she smiled.

[texted3times]

"Maybe a little," Eric said.

[solo_sword]

"Well I'm back for a bit," she told him.

Still hoping it was going to be quick even though she knew how these things worked.

[texted3times]

"Have you finally come to your senses and run back to me?" Eric asked, clearly teasing.

[solo_sword]

"That'd be really daring of me when the whole family's here," she said.

[texted3times]

"There'd finally be some decent gossip apart from who's eating dinner with who," Eric said.

[solo_sword]

"Island's still being quiet?" she asked.

[texted3times]

Eric nodded. "It's not necessarily a bad thing. I don't need to argue with insurance about a shark falling through my roof again."

[solo_sword]

"But no gossip," she said.

[texted3times]

"No gossip," Eric agreed sadly.

[solo_sword]

"Well then it's good that I'm here for when the squirrels start reporting on our torrid affair."

Again, clearly teasing.

Though if the squirrels heard how they talked sometimes. ..

[texted3times]

Jag was an understanding guy! Hopefully!

"Torrid is good," Eric decided.

[solo_sword]

He was secure!

"If I'm being honest thigh, I wouldn't mind a boring month or so," Jaina said, still blissfully unaware how long this was going to take. "Where the biggest worry is evading gremlins and bribing squirrels."

[texted3times]

"Home a little too exciting?" Eric asked.

[solo_sword]

"People trying to kill us. You know how it goes."

She did. This was a little different.

[texted3times]

"I do," Eric said, arching a brow. "And by 'us', did that include the entire family?"

Because Eric had zero problems with murder to retaliate if they were aiming at children, Jaina. Zero.

[solo_sword]

"Yes. And you can't rip anyone's head off."

She knew you, Eric.

[texted3times]

"You drive a hard bargain."

[solo_sword]

"I've got dibs," she told him.

[texted3times]

"That makes sense," Eric agreed. "Have you figured out who's after you yet? I assume no because you're here."

[solo_sword]

"No," she said. "Which is only driving me a little crazy."

She was usually the person finding these things out.

[texted3times]

"Drink?" Eric offered with a smile. "Big one, no cherries?"

[solo_sword]

"Yes but I actually want the cherries," she said. "A reasonable amount."

[texted3times]

"What do you feel is a reasonable amount?" Eric checked. "Tiny, as we can see, doesn't have a limit."

[solo_sword]

"Like two. Reasonable," she said.

Tiny.

[texted3times]

"And what would you like the cherries in?" Eric asked.

[solo_sword]

"Vodka soda," she said. "With lemon. Might as well live a little."

[texted3times]

"Tiny, serve the lady," Eric said. "And make it correctly. We're having a torrid affair."