“Let me see it,” Gabriel ordered. He took Hype’s arm and pulled her gently to her feet. Jake noticed Gabriel kept his hand carefully under her bruise. He examined the vines, heart, and blood drops on Hype’s arm like he was appraising it for an auction. “It’s not terrible,” he said finally when he let Hype’s arm go. “Go draw it and I’ll put it in the new designs binder.”
Hype let out a little-girl squeal and hugged Gabriel so tightly he grunted. “Thanks!” she said, and then she zipped off behind the counter. Jake guessed it was to get paper to draw on.
“She’s like a big, skinny toddler,” Gabriel said.
“I heard that!” Hype called from the counter, which only made Gabriel laugh.
“That was nice of you,” Jake said.
“Well, the design was good enough, so why not?” Gabriel said. He turned his head to make sure she could hear him. “Besides, it gets her out of our hair.”