The Research Project

Chapter Twenty-Six

Despite the late night of drinking and non-stop dancing, Byron was feeling particularly energised this Wednesday morning and he knew it had everything to do with Lainey. It had been one of the most exciting nights he'd had for a long time and waking up next to her was... well , it just felt good. He was starting to feel more and more that maybe she should just stay with him all the time. He was standing next to Penny's desk, reading over some case notes when Lainey walked in and he smiled at her like they were the only two people in the room. But of course, they weren't and in the next moment he became aware of Penny's presence beside him.

"Byron, you have a phone call in your office, I've just transferred it through."

"Thanks, Penny," he said and turned to leave but she stopped him.

"You have something on your face, right here," she said and went to brush something off his cheek. "It's glitter."

He swiped at his cheek and glanced at Lainey at the same time. It was only then he noticed that Morgan had also joined the conversation.

"Lainey has some in her hair," Morgan said.

"Oh, it must've been from one of Madison's files," Lainey said, thinking quickly. "She had some glittery stationery."

"Not to mention the Hello Kitty post-it notes everywhere," Byron added, hopefully making their story sound more believable. "If you'll excuse me, I have to take a call."

He left the three women to discuss the glitter situation. Several minutes later, he sat as his desk, staring at his phone, certain he hadn't heard right. Because if he had, he was in a shit load of trouble. Where was Lainey? He needed her right now. There was a knock at his door right before it opened and there she was.

"Thanks for leaving me out there," she said.

Byron looked up into Lainey's sweet face. If he wasn't so perturbed by the phone call he'd just had, he would've apologised. But he was perturbed and he knew it was showing on his face because Lainey's expression had changed into a frown.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"I'm... not really sure," he said, still trying to process what he'd just been told.

Lainey looked at him a beat. "So are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"That was Mrs. Nobuko on the phone. She's broken her leg."

"Poor Mrs. Nobuko."

"Poor Mrs. Nobuko! What about me?"

"Oh, and poor Byron, having to live off take away for a few weeks," she said.

He looked at her. "I have a dinner party to host on Saturday night."

"Oh, that's right you do," she said, suddenly seeing the seriousness of the situation.

"Get on the phone and find a catering company."

"I can cook for you."

"What?" he asked, not sure he'd caught what she'd said.

"Um, I mean, that is, I'll cook for you," she repeated, although with less enthusiasm this time.

He took a moment to process what she was saying. "Yes, Lainey, that's the answer to all my problems. I'll get my brand new personal assistant to cook for me."

"O-okay," she said, even more reluctantly.

"What's the matter, you offered?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I know, it's just... how many people will I be cooking for?"

"Nine."

"Nine. Right," she said nodding her head. "I'm sure I can cope with that."