The other team members chuckled and began to tease her.
“Scarlett, the tigress, has turned into a kitten!”
“Henry, you have no idea. Scarlett is the strongest, scariest woman on the team. But today, she’s all soft and sweet!”
“Tsk, tsk. Henry, you should come around more often. Maybe Scarlett will stop scolding us so much!”
The room erupted in laughter.
***
Moments later, Carter entered, his face composed, though the flicker of bitterness in his eyes was unmistakable. “Yes, with Henry here, Scarlett seems so… different,” he said, his smile just wide enough to mask his spite.
He raised his glass in a toast. “To Henry—take good care of Scarlett. There are quite a few folks in the General Agents Department with their eye on her.”
I played along, feigning interest. “Oh? Is that so? Who in particular?”
Carter raised an eyebrow, his grin turning smug. “Well, there’s someone on this very team who admires her.”
Scarlett’s face darkened instantly, her smile faltering as panic flickered in her eyes. She forced a laugh, her tone overly light. “Don’t be ridiculous, Carter. Honey, he’s just joking.”