99. Tony Stoleman

NINETY-NINE

I trail my fingertips through the flame of the little tea candle on the table, watching the fire dance across my skin.

"How about you, Tony?"

"What's that?" I lift my gaze to Waller.

He smirks, well aware of my constantly wandering mind. "You think you'll move back here?"

I lower my hand to my fork and stab another Korean meatball. "Honestly, I'm on the fence."

His brows lift. "Oh?"

I've been living in Seattle since I left for college, and I like it, but…

I shrug. "I'm ready for a change of scenery. I'm just not sure I want to deal with these cold-as-fuck winters again."

"So warmer pastures then?" Waller makes it sound like I'm gonna move into a nursing home.

"Warmer, yes. Pastures, not exactly."

Waller leans forward, elbows on the table. "You have a place in mind." It's not a question.

I look over at the younger Lovelace. "Max here has the way of things."

"You're moving to Arizona?" he asks around a mouthful of food.

"Been thinking about it."

Waller drains the rest of his beer. "What the fuck do you know about living in the desert?"

"I've spent some time there." My answer sounds evasive. And it is.

Waller sets his glass down and narrows his eyes at me. "You making new friends?"

I smirk. "A few."

He makes a humming sound, and I shove the meatball into my mouth.