Page 20 of A Little Naughty

“She’s just a sneaky little lady stealing kisses.” I scrub her head. “Why are you standing out here on the sidewalk? I’m staying in the house behind the newspaper office. Come with me.”

“I confess, I look like a hooker out here with all my belongings on the street, but I stopped by your place. It is way too small for all of this.” She adjusts the side of her Dolly Parton wig, and I think she might be right.

The cottage only has one full bathroom, and even that’s tiny.

“But where will you stay?”

“I was about to call an Uber and continue on to New Orleans when this friendly psychic lady who works here said she had the perfect place for me.” Monay lifts her head and points to the windows above. “I’m staying in the upstairs apartment.”

“That must’ve been Gwen.” My eyes move from the neon-purple sign for the Star Parlor to the large windows of the upstairs apartment. “And that must be Britt’s old apartment. I’ve heard it’s really cute. Not sure it’s much bigger than my place, but you’ll have it to yourself.”

“It’s a temporary stop on the road of life.” Monay pulls her Louis Vuitton bag higher on her shoulder. “I can’t stay in a little town like this forever. I have to have the bright lights, big city vibe or I’ll go stir crazy.”

“Let me help you.” Reaching down, I grab two of her suitcases off the ground, and she picks up the LV duffle at her feet.

I don’t ask how she’s able to afford luxury luggage. She’d just tell me it’s not my business anyway.

We manage to climb the narrow staircase leading to a small landing above, and Monay has to duck to enter the single room apartment. I put the bags down quickly before running over to lift the windows above the headboard.

“Angie, darling, we are at an all-time low.” She puts the small dog on the floor before sitting on the brown tweed sofa.

Everything is clean, and it’s not threadbare. Still, it’s definitely old and definitely not luxury. My eyes move to the bathroom in the corner, and I don’t even want to open the door. I really want my friend to stay, because even though I never felt at home in Branson, I don’t feel entirely settled here yet, either.

“I just dropped Nikki off at school. She is so excited to see you. Seriously. When I told her you were coming, she jumped out of her chair!”

“Naturally.”

“Piper said I could have my old job at the paper back. I was just heading there now. I bet she’d love to do a feature on you, and that little Mexican restaurant has karaoke once a month…”

My fingers are twisted in front of me, and when Monay looks up at me, her brow relaxes with a smile. “I’m sure I can stay long enough to help you get settled. My place in New Orleans won’t be ready until next month, and lord knows I amnotgoing to attempt a move during Mardi Gras.”

I step forward quickly to give her a hug. “We’re going to have so much fun. You’ll see. There’s more going on around here than you think.”

“I doubt it.”

“Maybe we could do our own little Mardi Gras party. I’m sure the town would love it, and we’re so close to the beach.”

“Do I look like someone who hangs out at the beach?” Her perfectly crafted eyebrow arches, and I laugh, shaking my head.

“No, but we can explore the area. Kiawah and Hilton Head are like thirty minutes in each direction, and they have lots of shops and spas.”

“Why don’t you let me settle in here, and we can talk about it tonight at dinner.”

“I’ll cook something for the three of us! I made Hamburger Helper last night, and it was not too shabby, if I say so myself.”

“Or I’ll see what we can get through takeout. Maybe those places you mentioned deliver.”

“El Rio is supposed to be good.” She knows I can’t cook to save my life. “I’ll text you so you have my number, and we can discuss it when I pick up Nikki from school.”

Angie Dickinson does a scratchy little yap, and I wave to both of them as I head out the door. I have a feeling Monay just might like this little town once she gets to know it better.

* * *

“Henry Anderson isthe new vet. We should do a little business profile on him.” Piper has her glasses on her head, and she’s standing in front of the Mac at the front desk.

“Whatever happened with the personal ads I started?” I’m right beside her, taking notes on my phone.

“We’ve got a ton coming in for Valentine’s Day. You should get started on the layout a-sap.” Her green eyes lift to mine. “We’ve made a lot of money off that idea, by the way.”

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