The sun shone through the window, signaling it was morning and time to get up. The sleeping pinkette in my arms had not yet stirred, probably still feeling the effects of our late night...activities. I carefully got up and checked my phone. 6:52, I was awake earlier than usual. I slipped on some boxers and walked to the kitchen while answering a text from Shikamaru. Since I was up early, I decided to make a luxurious breakfast item, fit for a king: pancakes. I grabbed the mix and a pan before getting to work, mixing ingredients and pouring the finished mix onto the pan to allow it to cook.
"Smells good," I heard a sleepy voice say from behind me. I turned and saw her dressed in my shirt, which was large enough so that she didn't have to wear anything else. Something about her in my clothes made my stomach flip and made my brain think dirty thoughts, but I set those aside since we had work in a little bit. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before wrapping her arms around my waist and leaning her head onto my back.
"You better not fall asleep," I said.
"Mm," she answered, probably paying my words no heed. I finished making a batch of pancakes and tossed them onto two plates. Sakura wouldn't let go of me until I picked her up and placed her onto the chair, much to her satisfaction. She grinned at me and I realized she had just used me for transportation, the cunning witch. I walked to the fridge and opened it only to freeze in horror at what I saw.
"No…" I whispered loud enough for her to hear.
"Sasuke?"
"No, no, no, no, no."
"What?" I turned to her, my face showing all the anguish I could express.
"We're out of syrup." She looked at me for a second before bursting out laughing, doubling over while keeping a hand on the counter so she wouldn't fall. I pouted at her form, visibly upset over our lack of syrup to complete our breakfast.
"This isn't funny, how are we going to eat them without syrup?"
"Just eat them plain, its not that big of a deal."
"What? Are you crazy?"
"Its just pancakes, stop being a baby. Also, you hate sweet things."
"But its different with pancakes."
"How about I cut up a tomato and spread the slices on them?"
"Really?"
"Yes, you overgrown child."
She walked over to the fridge and pulled out a nice, red tomato. I went to the bathroom and quickly showered in 5 minutes before pulling on jeans and a navy blue shirt. When I got out, she had already put out the tomato slices and was eating her own pancakes. I slid into a chair and ate the combination she had made. A normal person would've thought it disgusting, but when you love tomatoes like I do, it can't be disgusting. I collected the plates and washed them while Sakura showered and came out wearing a red shirt and black leggings, flawless like usual. Except there was something that stood out, her neck.
Particularly, the marks my lips had left.
"Um, Sakura?" I pointed to them and she saw the marks in the mirror. When I looked with her, I noticed that I had two marks on my neck as well, which was a problem. "This is not good," she said.
"Hn." She quickly googled how to get rid of the hickeys that plagued us, finding some solutions.
"Ok, I can use my makeup to conceal it, as for you...try putting ice on it." I got a bunch of ice and wrapped it with paper towels before putting it on my neck. I hissed at the sudden intrusion of ice on my skin, but relaxed a couple moments later, hoping that this would work, otherwise, work would be rough. Jugo and Suigetsu already knew about us and I didn't particularly care what the other agents thought, but Ibiki had made a rule about workplace relationships and I didn't need him breathing down our necks if he found out. Hell, he might know already since the receptionist saw us holding hands. I kept the ice pressed to my neck all the way until we got down to Sakura's car, at which I removed it to see if it had any effect.
"Wait, if yours is concealed, then why do I have to hide mine? If someone asks I'll just say I was with a girl last night."
"But they've never seen a hickey on you before, so why would you have one now?"
"I'll just say she was biting my neck or something."
"They know its not your style."
"My style? What do you mean my style?"
"Sasuke...you have a reputation at the office when it comes to girls."
Oh no. Remember when Sakura first came into the FBI building and Suigetsu was talking about her? Remember when he said that I would just fuck her once and that would be it? That's the reputation she was talking about. I was known around the office because of a couple of girls there who I had...you know. They must've spilled all the details, and somehow, Sakura had found out. I couldn't meet her eyes, I was too ashamed, I didn't want to go back and think of my past regrets, and I certainly didn't want her to.
"I didn't want you to find out about that," I said regretfully. She took my free hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Stop your sulking, Uchiha." I looked her straight in the eyes and found what I was always looking for: warmth, comfort, any good feeling you can think of. She made me feel at peace, like I was 5 years old again, at home with my parents and Itachi. She was my home now. Wherever she was, that's where I felt comfortable.
"The past is the past, we can't change it, only look to the future," she told me.
"Since when did you become a poet?" She just grinned and started the car. The next minute was silence, until we stopped at a traffic light.
"Sakura," she turned when I said her name, "you're my present and future, remember that." She smiled and again our hands connected, fingers intertwining. We stayed like that the whole way to work, only letting go when we got out of the car. We walked inside and took the elevator as per usual, getting off on our floor and making our way over to our desks.
"Hey," Jugo called to us, motioning us over to him. Sakura and I shared a brief look before walking over to his desk.
"This is a new agent, Hiruko." The man Jugo presented had black hair, and a rough-looking face, as well as a bandana covering his mouth, similar to Kakashi, except Kakashi was nowhere near as ugly as this guy. He was short and gave off a weird vibe, something was off about this guy.
"Nice to meet you," Hiruko said, his voice rough and gravelly. Sakura shook his hand and offered a friendly smile, but I stood there, sizing him up. I usually always never trusted people I had just met, but this guy was different, I just had a feeling this guy was off.
"Sasuke," Sakura whispered while nudging me. I realized that this Hiruko was holding his hand out to me, waiting for me to shake it.
"Sasuke Uchiha," I said before turning my back and walking to my desk. Sakura followed and sat down across from me.
"I know how you are, Sasuke, but do you have to be such a dick to new recruits?"
"Hn."
"You're impossible."
"And you're annoying." She pouted and I smirked before starting on the day's work.
We finished the day normally and 4 o'clock came with no interruptions. Even the paperwork had been reasonable, though it didn't make doing it any easier. We were about to leave, but there was one more distraction to take care of before we could.
"Uchiha! Haruno!" Ibiki called, "get in here!" I sighed and Sakura giggled before leading me into his office. I closed the door and crossed my arms while Sakura stood respectfully, hands clasped behind her back.
"Look at your partner, Uchiha, why can't you be courteous like her?" Ibiki asked, amused. I snorted and leaned against the wall.
"You called us," I reminded the man.
"I did, I want you guys to take this case in Baton Rouge, its a different kind of killer."
"Different?"
"So far, there's been one confirmed kill and another one missing, the killer hides the body parts and sends riddles to the police so they can find the pieces. It took 8 riddles, as in 8 body parts, to find the first victim, Joseph Demarillo. They've also found a right leg and right hand of a potential second victim, Seymour Granjesca."
"Ok," Sakura nodded, confirming our participation.
"Flight leaves at 10 AM on Monday, that's all." Sakura nodded and I gave Ibiki a two-finger salute before taking our leave. On our way out, I spotted Hiruko, who waved to me and Sakura. Sakura, being nice and all, waved back while I stared at the short guy, still distrustful of him. We rode the elevator down, and walked out into the Floridian afternoon. It was beautiful today, sunny and bright, it was one of those days that you use for postcards. The breeze raked through my hair like it had done so many times before, cooling my scalp yet causing my hair to fall over my forehead. It raked through Sakura's hair too, blowing it around in a picture perfect frame, she was too beautiful for her own good. It caused her hair to fall over her eyes, blocking her vision.
She blew it out of her eyes and stared up at my smirking face, blushing lightly. I poked her forehead and leaned into her lips, tasting that sweet cherry blossom on her. I could feel her lips turn upward in a smile before the wind blew both of our hair onto our faces. We backed away and found ourselves staring at each other for a second.
"What was that for?" She asked me. I shrugged in response.
"Just wanted to."
"Feel free to do it whenever."
"Already do."
She giggled and walked to the car, starting it and speeding off once I was inside. My phone went off and I saw Naruto's name flash across the screen.
"What?"
"All of us are getting together at my parent's house for dinner tonight, bring Sakura!"
"Ok."
"Its at 6:30!"
"Ok."
"Wear something nice!"
"Ok."
"See ya!"
"Ok."
"Was that Naruto?" Sakura asked after I hung up.
"Yeah, everyone's going to dinner at his parent's house, we're invited."
"Should I wear something fancy?"
"Nah."
We reached our building and walked through a bunch of guys who were staring at Sakura but averted their gazes after I glared at them. Eventually we reached my apartment, where I pulled out two beers and set them on the table. Sakura and I took a seat and sipped on the alcohol while telling each other stories and just talking.
"Are you sure I'm not supposed to change?" She asked about an hour into our conversation.
"Yeah."
"Ok, but if everyone else shows up in fancy clothes I'm blaming you."
"Hn."
"Ugh, I hate you."
"No you don't."
She stuck her tongue out in response while trying her hair up in a messy bun. I smirked and finished off my beer before crashing onto the couch and extending my body so that I was laying down on the couch, watching a preview of the NFL Draft. Sakura settled on top of me, laying her head on my chest. My hand instinctively went up to her tied hair, twirling a strand of her pink hair absentmindedly. She sighed contently as we watched in silence for a couple of minutes before she spoke.
"Can everyday be like this?"
"If only," I chuckled in response.
"I'm serious, Sasuke, I want there to be days when people aren't trying to kill you," she said with sudden sternness. I sat up gently with her still in my grasp.
"There will be days like this, Sakura," I told her softly while tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "I promise after this whole Akatsuki business is done that everyday will be like this." She dipped her head, avoiding my gaze.
"I just don't want to lose you, Sasuke." I held her chin with my thumb and index finger, lifting her head so that she was looking into my obsidian eyes.
"You won't," I told her, fixing my eyes on hers, "you'll never lose me, I won't allow it." I spoke these words with firm conviction and firm belief that I could hold up that promise to her. She heard it too and smiled slightly before leaning into my embrace, holding me tightly with her unusual strength. I pulled back and smiled at her before capturing her lips in a quick kiss while laying back down. She nestled into the crook of my neck and I could feel her breath tickle my throat. For another 5 minutes, silence ensued until one of the announcers for the show made a comment that drove Sakura mad.
"What?! How can he say that? This guy sucks!" She half-yelled.
"Calm down, Sakura."
"No! How can he say that?!" She actually got up and started shouting things at the TV, all the while I sat there, struggling to conceal my laughter. She eventually couldn't hold it in and began to assault me with a pillow, reminding me of my days in the hospital. The cotton thrashed me as she swung 3 times before giving up and sitting down on the couch, scowling at me. I stopped laughing after a little bit and sat up, staring at her scowling face. I held her gaze for about 5 seconds before her facade cracked and she broke into a fit of laughter. I rolled my eyes and we went back to watching in the same position as before.
The time passed by quickly with us watching, making comments and arguing with each other about which player was better than the other the whole time. Before we knew it, the clock had struck 6:10, and we were probably going to be late. Sakura ushered me outside and pulled me by the hand to her car.
"Calm down, woman," I muttered.
"We're gonna be late!"
"Doesn't matter, we'll only be late by like 5 minutes."
"Ugh, just get in the car."
"Annoying girl," I muttered as I sat in the driver's seat.
"You know the way, right?" She inquired.
"Obviously."
"Don't have to be sarcastic it," she muttered as she buckled her seatbelt. She hummed along to the music in the car as per usual while going through her phone, updating on me on the news and any new sports things that came out.
"Think the Jaguars will actually do well this year?"
"They better after all the money they dropped in free agency."
"Spending a lot doesn't always equate to success, Sasuke."
"Don't patronize me, you annoying woman." She giggled at my insult before gasping in surprise.
"Nick Jonas came out with a new song!" She exclaimed while jumping in her seat and squealing in excitement. All I could do was shake my head and smile at her childlike antics, she could be mature or immature at the flip of a switch. It brought back fond memories for me.
Itachi was always calm and collected, never faltering, smooth under pressure. You would think that he never raised his voice.
Until the Jaguars played.
I had never seen a person get so worked up and agitated over a football game before and it still remains true to this day. So when she sat there in her seat with all of her unbridled glee, I couldn't help but make that comparison.
"Focus on the road," she said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I scowled and looked ahead at the traffic, causing her to giggle.
"What was distracting you?" She asked a moment later.
"Nothing."
"I hate it when you do that, it makes me think you're hiding something."
"Maybe I am."
"Fine, don't tell me you loser." She resumed her singing and humming and I resumed my driving. "Are Naruto's parents nice?" She questioned.
"Yeah, his mom will probably love you."
"Why?"
"You two have sort of similar personalities. Too nice to everyone."
"Oh, and his dad?"
"Minato is the father any kid would want, he's nice, relaxed, and levelheaded. Plus...never mind."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're infuriating, forget it."
"If I tell you, don't laugh."
"Ok, spill."
"He gives good advice, and he might've advised me about what to do with you."
"What?"
"It was before we were together, he sensed I was having girl problems and we talked about it. Now shut up." I was praying she couldn't see the blush on my face, but of course she did, because why the hell not.
"Aw, Sasuke," she cooed while poking my cheeks.
"I'm trying to drive," I said sternly in a weak attempt to fend her off, but all it did was get her to laugh. "You're the worst," I muttered.
"Oh shut up."
"Hn. We're here." I parked the car in their huge driveway and was about to hop out when her hand on my arm stopped me.
"What?" I asked.
"Our friends still don't know about us except for Naruto."
"I mean, they've probably assumed it."
"Ummm."
"What?" I asked again.
"Ino doesn't know."
"Well fuck me sideways."
"What do we do?"
"I don't know."
"Sasuke!"
"Just tell her after everything's done."
"But what if someone says something!"
"You know what, this is ridiculous, she's an adult, let's just go inside."
"Sasuke!"
"I'm serious, she's not a little girl, she might be disappointed but she'll get over it and I highly doubt she'll throw a tantrum or something."
"I know, but she's liked you for a long time, crushes don't disappear overnight."
"Let's just go inside, stop doubting her."
"Ok, fine, but try and look as least attractive as you can."
"Sakura that's impossible, just look at me," I replied while motioning all around my body.
"Oh my god, since when did your ego go through the roof?"
"I was kidding."
"Sure you were."
"Let's just go inside." I motioned her up the stairs and rang the doorbell. After about 10 seconds, Kushina opened the door with a grin that eerily resembled Naruto's.
"Sasuke! You're here!" She greeted before noticing Sakura.
"You must be Sakura, you really are drop-dead gorgeous!"
"Um, thank you, Mrs. Uzumaki."
"Call me Kushina!" She grabbed us both by the hand and pulled us into a brief hug before leading us to the living room where everyone else was seated.
"Sasuke, I told you to dress nicely!" Naruto yelled at me.
"Wait, what?" Sakura asked, turning to me. I shrugged and smirked her way before turning back to Naruto.
"Did you really think I would listen to you?"
"You jerk!"
"Naruto, stop screaming," Minato told his son before rising and shaking my hand. "Good to see you again, kid," he said before turning to Sakura. "Ah, and you must be Sakura, Naruto has told me about you," he said with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
"Um…" Sakura trailed off, looking at me for support.
"Anyways, dinner will be ready in like 15 minutes, so relax here while Kushina gets it ready," Minato explained before leaving for the kitchen.
"At least you guys finally showed up," Neji said as Minato walked away.
"Let it go, Neji, I'm sure they were busy," Kiba chimed in with a shit-eating grin on his face. Sakura coughed while I glared at the wolfman, promising him a swift death with the look in my eyes. Naruto made room on the sofa for me and Sakura by scooting over and we sat down on the soft material, sinking into it.
"So good job catching Deidara, you two," Ino told us.
"I didn't do anything, it was all Sasuke," Sakura said, nudging my shoulder.
"She's joking, it wasn't all me," I said, a little annoyed that she was giving me all the credit.
"Well still, catching a guy like that deserves merit, we're proud of you two," Kiba said, surprisingly mature for once.
"He's right," Naruto whispered to me. I nodded in response and shared brief eye contact with Sakura, who smiled at me. I returned her smile before Naruto clearing his throat brought both of us back to the present.
He chuckled and I glared at him before Shikamaru uttered, "here we go again." Then, Naruto and I fixed our glares onto the offending man, who threw his arms up in surrender. We passed the time listening to some life updates. Naruto had gotten a partner named Iruka, some guy in his mid 30s with a scar across his nose.
"He actually looks like he's been through alot, so you'd think that he would have a personality like Sasuke's, but it turns out he's really nice!"
Kiba had gotten a new partner too.
"Name's Shino, and he's...weird."
"Weird how?" I asked. "Well he's quiet, shy even, and he likes to speak cryptically sometimes."
"He's not lying, that dude is off," Neji added. I nodded my head and listened to everyone else pipe up. Midway through Shikamaru's speech about how taking naps was essential to every human's way of living, I felt Sakura's hand take a hold of mine, albeit out of view from everyone except Naruto. I looked at her and saw that she was still paying attention to the conversation. She had done it without even realizing. I inwardly smiled and gripped her smaller hand in mine, cherishing the sparks it sent up my arm.
"...So anyways, that's why I nap a lot," Shikamaru finished.
"Great story, really entertaining," Kiba commented.
"I second that," Ino said.
"Can someone say something interesting?" Naruto complained, shooting a glare at Shikamaru, who just sighed. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Kushina ran to answer it.
"Kakashi! Rin! How nice to see you!" She greeted with her normal cheerfulness. The white-haired man walked in with a shorter girl with brown hair that touched her shoulders.
"I'm not late, am I?" Kakashi asked. I snorted as everyone else snickered at his question. "Everyone, this is Rin," he said, introducing the girl at his side.
"Nice to meet you all," she said happily, smiling as everyone greeted her. I nodded in greeting and caught Kakashi's eye, who instantly noticed Sakura and I, hand in hand. He smiled behind his mask, and I knew exactly what he was doing.
"Sasuke! Did you introduce your girlfriend to everyone?"
That bastard.
"You...asshole," I bit out, cheeks flushed but still glaring at him. Of course, he pretended not to notice and just kept rambling on.
"I hear she's very attractive, isn't she Naruto?" Now Naruto and Sakura both turned bright red, matching my own blushing face. "Yeah! So when are we gonna meet her, Sasuke? I forgot her name though, Sakumi? Sakai? Sacagawea?"
"GOD DAMNIT KAKASHI I WILL END YOU!" I roared and leapt from my seat. Kakashi ran out of the still opened door and down the stairs, but he knew he couldn't outrun me.
"Wait, Sasuke! Don't kill me!" He screamed while opening his car and hiding inside of it. I growled from outside and he smiled behind his mask, waving at me. Only when Sakura came outside and dragged me away did I leave him in peace. He got out of the car and walked back to the house, keeping a safe distance from me while still waving and smiling. When Sakura and I got back into the house, everyone was staring at us in shock, except for Naruto, who was still rolling on the ground, laughing his ass off.
"You're dating someone named Sacagawea?" Kiba asked in shock. I slapped my palm to my forehead and took about 3 deep breaths to calm myself.
"He's dating me," Sakura stated while rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you claimed her, Sasuke," Neji said.
"Claimed me?" Sakura repeated, confused and looking at me for an explanation.
"They're stupid," I muttered, shaking my head.
"I remember that day," Kiba said.
"Broke our hearts," Shikamaru said.
"Ain't that the truth," Naruto added.
"What is going on?" She whispered to me.
"I'll explain later."
"So you guys are together?" Ino asked.
"Yeah, sorry for not telling you guys earlier," Sakura told the blonde apologetically.
"No, its ok, I figured you two would be a couple," Ino responded with a smile.
"You what?" I inquired.
"At Sakura's birthday party, you two were literally eyefucking every 2 minutes."
"Oh."
"I had to admit, I was disappointed, but then I saw you smile, Sasuke. I'm pretty sure that everyone here can say that under no circumstances do you ever smile, but when you looked at her I could see plain as day that you two were in love. Call it woman's intuition, but I figured she was the only girl for you," Ino explained.
"Wow, um, thanks," I stammered out, in no scenario did I ever picture Ino Yamanaka to be so understanding and I kind of felt like an asshole for thinking so lowly of her.
"Don't look so surprised, Sasuke, everyone saw you two becoming a thing," Naruto said with a grin plastered on his face, "though the aspect of you dating someone was pretty shocking."
"Amen to that," everyone else agreed.
"So can you stop attempting to murder me?" Kakashi said, placing his hand on my head and ruffling my hair as per usual.
"Maybe," I muttered, drawing a nervous chuckle out of my adoptive father.
"Dinner's ready!" Kushina called from the kitchen while bringing out some food with Minato in tow. Everyone helped set up the table with plates, utensils, and cups as well as bringing out the enormous amounts of food Kushina had made.
"Are you sure you made enough?" Sakura asked sarcastically as she grabbed a pot from Kushina.
"Oh quiet, you," she responded and the two of them shared a laugh. Sometimes, I envied how easily Sakura got along with people. She was the epitome of a social being, whereas I was, well, antisocial. Although, I was definitely glad to see how well she and Kushina were getting along, seeing how Kushina was basically the only mother-like figure in my life after my real mom passed away.
"Sasuke?" I heard, and focused my attention on the pinkette that had recited my name.
"Hm?" She shook her head with a smile before taking my hand in hers.
"I was telling you to come sit down, stupid."
"You don't have to insult me," I mumbled, drawing a giggle from her. We sat down at the enormous table, which looked like something out of Bruce Wayne's manor, seriously the thing was gigantic. Sakura sat to my right while Kakashi sat on my left. Kushina and Minato sat down and I got this odd feeling in my stomach as I looked around and saw everyone I cared about.
My friends, Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Ino, and Hinata. Minato and Kushina, who resemble the aunt and uncle that a kid always dream of having.
Kakashi, my adoptive father, and even his girlfriend, who I never talked to one on one, but still seemed like a nice woman.
Naruto, my best friend/brother, we were unbreakable, pretty much like Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in the Jump Street movies.
And then there was Sakura, and honestly, what could I even say to do her justice? In just a few months the girl who made me whole again and completely changed my outlook on life, no joke. Every one of my friends had noticed the change in my behavior once she arrived into my life, everyone noticed that I had started to smile and laugh again, everyone noticed that I had finally moved past my insomnia. It was all because of her that I could look around this table and feel satisfied that I was part of this huge family.
That's why I was smiling, and when I looked at her, she was smiling right back at me, because like always, she knew exactly what I was thinking.
"Ahem," Kakashi cleared his throat loud enough to capture mine and Sakura's attention. I turned to the head of the table, where Minato was standing, ready to address us all.
"So I was thinking, we should really make this a weekly thing, its nice having people over," he announced.
"We get lonely sometimes," Kushina added, especially since our son and his best friend are always working." The attention of the table quickly turned to me and Naruto, who was scratching his head in embarrassment while I kept a small smirk on my face.
"Don't worry, we'll all make time," Kakashi stated, looking at me in particular. I scowled at him while taking a sip of my Jameson Irish.
"Yeah, we'll all be here," Neji stated.
"All right, then now I want to have a toast," Minato announced while grabbing his glass. We all rose ours in response, waiting to hear with the man would say. "To the success of everyone here in their individual pursuits, to the bright future that awaits, to our health, to our companionship," he paused and I swore he glanced at me for a second, "and to new beginnings," he finished, and downed a sip of his drink. We dug into the food that was laid out in front of us, which was extremely well-prepared.
From meats to sweets, anything a person needed to fill their stomach was right here, laid out with expensive silverware. Conversation carried throughout the entire meal, ranging from work to current events. There were some political jabs thrown around here and there until the topic turned to the numerous hurricanes flooding the Caribbean and maybe reaching Florida.
"I'm telling you, Mother Nature is angry," Naruto said through mouthfuls of food.
"Close your mouth, you barbarian," Neji scolded. Hinata giggled at Naruto's antics, and surprisingly, Naruto noticed. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and Hinata stifled another giggle. That was certainly interesting. I took another bite from my plate before my phone went off. I set my fork down and wiped my hands before taking it out and seeing Jugo's name flash across the screen. "What is it?" I asked right away, annoyed that he had called at such a time.
"Sasuke, its...Deidara is dead."
"I figured it would happen," I sighed. The news came as no surprise to me as Deidara hinted he would be killed by the Akatsuki because of his failure to kill me.
"It was a lethal injection administered right into his bloodstream, someone snuck in and killed him quickly, cameras found no footage of anyone."
"What about eyewitnesses?"
"None." "Fuck," I exhaled, I remembered back to when I was interrogating Deidara, the Akatsuki was real.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, thanks for telling me."
"Yeah, bye." I hung up the phone and everyone's eyes were on me.
"Sorry, some work bullshit, finance lost a cost report that could be problematic," I quickly lied. Almost everyone bought it.
Almost.
I looked at the pinkette and mouthed "later" before returning to my food and the conversation.