Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 10: On Board

A/N: This feels like a good place to point out that no character I use in this story, even if they borrow names and relationships from real people, are actually those people. Especially if I've written them to do or say questionable things - just gotta have some plot devices, y'know?

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Kari somehow manages to turn up on the day the following week where Shayne has uncharacteristically offered to pop out of the office and grab lunch for everyone again, so soon after his lunch run with Damien. Courtney watches her roll with it anyway, greeting everyone as if she were here to visit her sister and mess with Ian, not interrogate Shayne.

"I realised when I caught up with Courtney the other week that I haven't seen your new office yet!" she tells Ian when she arrives, and Courtney grins as they immediately start verbally sparring with each other. Okay, so she had two legitimate reasons for visiting.

"Oh, Kari, it's been so long! Nice to see you!" Sarah tells her when she walks into the break room where a few of them are sitting, expecting Shayne's imminent arrival with food, "we gotta get you in a video again sometime soon."

"We should get you in a Smoshcast, since we did that one about how Ian is trying to date you," Courtney suggests, and both Ian and Kari laugh.

"I'd be up for that."

Courtney is facing the door, opposite her sister, and she notices Shayne re-enter the building before anyone else. She catches his eye through the glass of the breakroom walls, glancing towards Kari to warn him of her presence, although she can't manage to pass on anything else before Olivia notices him and calls out the arrival of their food.

"Hi Kari, Courtney mentioned you might come see us sometime – how are you?" Shayne greets her immediately, setting the food down on the table, "someone should've texted me; I could've grabbed you some lunch too."

"Hey Shayne, all good," she answers, a little coolly, and Courtney glares at her.

"Kari," she warns.

"Yeah, Court?"

Courtney simply shakes her head, reaching for her food as everyone else does.

"Hey, Shayne, think we could have a chat in private?" Kari asks him, when everyone else is distracted, although Courtney is still watching them closely, eyes narrowing at her. A week ago she wouldn't have been the slightest bit concerned about Kari talking to Shayne – she thought Kari would be on board with this, as excited as she is – but after her reaction when she'd found out and the way she'd greeted him today, she was worried.

"Sure," Shayne answers, warm as ever, although he shoots a mildly terrified glance back at Courtney as they step out of the room and he guides her towards Ian's empty office.

"I love you," Courtney mouths at him, before turning back to her food.

"Where are they going?" Olivia asks, and Courtney sighs as everyone turns to face her.

"Kari wasn't super on board when I told her. She's always found a way to have a chat with anyone I seriously date, but this is a little more... threatening than usual. Kinda worried for him, although he knew she was gonna do this," Courtney admits.

Shayne figures the easiest place to lead Kari that would be at least somewhat private is Ian's office a couple of doors down, since Ian is having lunch with the others, but the silent ten-second walk is bad enough as it is. He can't help but be kind of scared of Kari in this situation – he was mostly joking when he mentioned her a couple of weeks earlier at Courtney's place, but what he'd heard from Courtney since had made him seriously concerned. Sure, he was prepared to defend their relationship, but he didn't expect to need to do so like this.