Billy kept me company while I had lunch, assuring me he'd had something before he came to the office, but he kept sneaking fries so I had some doubts about that. Finally shaking my head and cutting my burger in two, I handed him half. He was going to argue, I could see it in his eyes.
"Take it, Butcher," I growled, and his smirk returned, grudgingly taking it from me. "And half the fries, you'll help me keep my figure."
An eye roll was what I got for my efforts, but he softened it when he told me that my figure was perfect and always fucking would be. "We'll eat and get back to the files," although his eyes were roving over my body like he'd like to take the day off to study ME.
"Frenchie and-" he shook his head. "They were just part time help?"
"Told ya, I had shit to take care of this morning, always planned on getting back to work with you." He was making quick work of his part of my lunch, and I realized I'd stopped eating altogether.
Tucking back in, I considered asking what chores he had to take care of, but thought better of it. Even Billy had the right to his privacy, maybe especially him. Once lunch was finished, before we could settle on the floor, a knock came to the door. Damn it. Billy told me he'd get it and he was looking far too pleased for me to feel calm, but then, on the other side of the door stood Joseph of all people. He was smiling at Billy and I was starting to feel like I was in the fucking Twilight Zone.
"I managed to find two," Joseph was telling Billy, and I looked down and smiled. That sneaky bastard. "Since you are helping Dr. Taylor with her work," I listened for any sign that the words were said with innuendo in mind, but they seemed sincere. "I thought you might want one as well."
And as Joseph rolled them in, Billy was looking at me with a smug smile, and I shook my head at how fucking thoughtful this one thing was, after all my subtle hints. Two regular, plush leather desk chairs, to replace my shitty ergonomic one. Thank God, make that thank William Butcher, since he was the one who asked the one person he knew could make it happen.
"You are free to do whatever you want with that," Billy pointed at the bane of my existence. The chair, pain on wheels, and Joseph smiled at it as though it was a Christmas present. Have at it, I thought, and peace be with you.
The door shut behind him, after Billy thanked the normally jittery paper jockey, and I was studying Billy Butcher like I had never seen him before. "What?" He asked, smirking. "Couldn't stand sitting on the fucking floor for one more day," he held out a chair for me. "Take a seat, Ronnie, let's get to work."