"Stephanie you've known me since college and know of my family's 'mob like connection.' You also know how I go undercover for my job and I've heard all about you being a bounty hunter. Stephie, I love you to death. You're like a little sister to me. I have to do a job here in Trenton and I really need your help. Stephanie Plum, will you please help me?" he looked up at me with those big blue eyes and how could I say no?
"Okay. So big bro, what do I need to do?" I answered with a smile.
"Well I need a girlfriend for the job. I guess you have to put aside your brotherly feelings for me and pretend you're madly in love with me." He said with a boyish grin. I laughed and stood up.
"Of course honey bunch!" I smiled and grabbed his hands to pull him up.
"If you call me 'honey bunch,' then I get to call you sugar plum." He said with a knowing smile. He knows I hate it but he's called me it ever since college. As revenge I pulled him with all my strength, off the couch. He didn't move an inch except for his laughing.
"Not fair!" I whined. He just laughed even more. Since I couldn't pull him up I might as well sit down. I know I had on an evil smile because he stopped laughing.
"Stephie?" he asked scared. I smiled and jumped on him. He made an 'oof' sound and started to tickle me. I laughed till I had tears streaming down my face.
"Okay you win! Uncle! Uncle!" I screamed. He finally stopped and pushed me off.
"You better go shower or you'll be late for work. I'll see if there's anything to cook up in the kitchen." As I started to walk away slowly he gave me a brotherly pat on the butt.
"Walk faster sugar plum or there might not be any food left for you." He said playfully. I gave him a glare as I walked into the bathroom.
I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror and almost screamed. I can't believe the bad luck I have with my hair. I took a calming breath and got in the shower. I washed my hair and stood under the water till I got all wrinkled. I wrapped a towel around my head and one around my body. I walked into my bedroom only to find Mac spread out on my bed sleeping. Okay truthfully I don't think I have very many 'motherly instincts' but this is one of those times where you just want to watch them sleep. I walked over and pulled the blanket over him.
"Sleep tight Mac." I whispered in his ear. I took some things out of my dresser and went to the bathroom to change. I decided on the 'I'm a real bounty hunter' look for today. Black cargo pants, black v-neck shirt, black socks, black shoes and a black belt complete with pepper spray and an empty spot where my gun goes.
I walked into the kitchen and looked into the cookie jar. Yup, still there. I reached in and pulled it out. I opened it and checked for bullets. Empty. Maybe it's for the best… yeah right. I sighed and put in a few bullets; it's not like I have to use it right? I walked over to where Rex sits and looked inside. Mac must have fed him because there were carrot and lettuce bits still in his bowl. I snagged my purse from the counter and walked out the door.
I was debating on taking the elevator or stairs when the elevator doors opened to reveal Ranger. Just my luck. I gave him a smile and stepped in.
"Babe." Gee what a great hello.
"What are you doing here?" wow mines so much better.
"Got a job for you. Interested?" All the jobs Ranger gives me are distraction or surveillance. Easy stuff, if you weren't me and didn't have my bad luck. So what do I have to lose?
"Okay. Where and when?" He gave me a long look. He smiled and it seemed forced to me.
"Tonight, I'm not sure about the time. I'll give you a call around 7:00. Oh one more thing. You look good babe." With those words he was gone. Is it just me or was Ranger acting weird? I shook off my suspicions and headed towards my car. My little jeep has survived for three months and I love it for that. I started the car and turned up Simple Plan.
When I walked into the office I knew two things. One, they had doughnuts and two Lula wasn't hung over. Even though I couldn't really feel the headache anymore, I shouldn't be the only one with pain.
"Yo, girlfriend…" Lula stopped when she saw my face and smiled. She nudged Connie till Connie looked at me.
"Well, I'll be damned." Connie stared dumbfounded. I looked behind me to see if Ranger was behind me. Nobody here but me.
"Uh, guys what's wrong?" I asked a little paranoid.
"Well you must have gotten another threat on your life, or woke up next to someone really scary this morning." Lula started.
"That or she got some… look at that smile." Connie finished enthusiastically. Crap I didn't notice the smile this morning. It's not my fault Mac can make me smile like this, just by showing up. Oh no… that's why Ranger was acting strange in the elevator. He thinks I slept with some guy… or even Morelli. If Joe sees me he's going to think I slept with Ranger first then some strange guy later… boy am I in trouble.
A/N: Okay hope you like this chapter. Thanks to all of the reviews I'm getting. Mac is really based on a friend of mine… he really does have beautiful blue eyes… anyways thanks again! Don't forget to review!