Thirty-Two
“You’ve got two choices. You can pick helping out in finance, or helping Tony this week,” Kian said, his eyes scanning his clipboard. “I wanted to put you in the entertainment division, I thought you’d have fun there, but the chimera who was supposed to go on maternity leave decided to push it another week. They won’t need you until she leaves.”
Tipping his head, Peri asked curiously, “Tony needs help?”
Kian nodded, finally looking up. “Taron sometimes goes along to see the trials and things like that, and Tony always goes with him. He’s tried to just forward his phone calls to his cell phone, but something always seems to go wrong when he does. It’s easier to just put an intern or a temp at his desk while he’s out to answer the calls for him. It also makes it easier on him to focus on keeping Taron on track. That’s a full time job all on its own.”
“Be nice,” Peri chided, shaking his head. “He does his best.”
Kian shrugged casually. “I know that. I don’t blame him for it. Besides, he naturally causes chaos, and I enjoy watching that. I’m just saying, keeping him on track is enough for Tony to have to deal with. Answering the phones and doing the office tasks will be your job so he can do what he needs to do.”
Nodding, Peri agreed, “Okay. That sounds like fun. I’ll help Tony.”
Kian marked it on his clipboard and pushed to his feet, beckoning Peri with a wave of his hand. “I’ll show you the way. I like to surprise Dorian with special coffee when he’s been good about not overworking himself. He didn't check his email once this weekend, so I feel like he deserves a treat.”
“It was a corporate retreat,” Peri pointed out with a grin. “Technically, he was working. Are you just looking for excuses to spoil your mate? Because you don’t have to pretend with me.”
A hint of pink dusted Kian’s cheeks, and he cleared his throat, jabbing the button for the elevator. “Maybe. Shut up.”
Peri giggled, and he didn't take Kian’s words to heart. He was just embarrassed. He didn’t need to be. Peri got it. He wanted to spoil Wash, too. He was actually hoping since he’d be working around Taron, they might be able to sit down and come up with some ideas to do that. Wash had fun during the corporate retreat. He deserved to have more fun like that with his friends.
They found Taron standing behind Tony’s chair, rubbing his shoulders, as they both looked at the computer screen.
“They’re all busy,” Tony pointed out. “It’ll just be easier for me to stay here.”
Taron pouted, slumping against Tony’s chair. “But I focus so much better when you’re there with me. I don’t know how I functioned without you.”
“From what I heard, with chaos and style,” Kian commented offhandedly, waving his hand at Peri as he breezed into the room. “Relax. I brought you a temp for your troubles. Peri is going to man Tony’s desk so Tony can go with you to the trials. He’s good. He’s got it covered.”
Taron immediately came around the desk, snatching Kian into a tight hug that made the fae grunt. Peri watched as Kian slipped a spell onto Taron’s back, his smile a little too sly as hestepped back. Taron didn’t notice until he was heading out with Tony, spinning around with a frown when he noticed bubbles in his office.
“Where did those come from?”
Peri shrugged innocently. “No idea. I thought it was just something that happened in your office.”
Tony shook his head rapidly, his expression amused. “He wouldn’t get any work done if there were bubbles in here all the time. He’d be too distracted. We’re going to be late if we don’t go now, Taron. We can figure it out when we come back.”
Begrudgingly, Taron followed his mate out of the office, completely missing the bubbles that trailed behind him. He got a few curious looks from the other people on the floor, but apparently, they knew Taron well enough by now to expect something crazy and didn’t question it.
Peri was still snickering to himself when his phone buzzed.
My Favorite Grump:How did you manage to sneak treats into my office without even being on this floor?
His grin widened,and he pulled his legs up on the stool he’d gotten to replace Tony’s chair while he was working. Tony’s chair looked big and comfy, but it wasn’t wing friendly, and Peri didn't want to have to sit on the edge of his seat all week.
Peri the Fairy:Magic. Did you like it?
My Favorite Grump:Of course I did. Bacon and maple always go well together.
The bacon maplepecan swirls weren’t a new recipe for Peri, but they were a fan favorite, and he wanted to make Wash’s daybrighter since they’d be apart. He’d asked for Kian’s help when he showed up that morning, and Kian had opened a portal directly into Wash’s office so Peri could put the treats there. He did make a note to mention later when they were together that Wash’s wards didn’t block portals. He felt like that was news better shared in person though.
My Favorite Grump:Where’d they stick you today?
Peri the Fairy:I’m helping Tony this week. He and Taron will be out of the office a lot, so I’m manning the phones.
My Favorite Grump:… Why am I worried about you spending so much time with Taron?
Peri the Fairy:*Laughing crying emoji* Don’t worry. He won’t be around all the time. Just sometimes.