Page 110 of The Last Good Man

I wasn’t talking to him, and my landlord didn’t take the hint as I whipped my gaze to him.

What is it with these men?

“It won’t be long,” the man in front of me says as I try hard not to tap my foot impatiently and lift my eyebrows instead.

Less noisy.

“It’s about last Friday. A guest of yours had brought the cops to our door. You know the house rules.”

I nod silently, trying to figure out the best answer.

“He wasn’t my guest. He delivered my food. I’m sorry about the police cars. They must’ve flashed their lights because he was parked illegally.”

It’s his turn to slowly nod.

“Yes. And that wouldn’t have happened hadhemoved swiftly after delivering your food.”

I hold my head high and square my shoulders.

“I have no control over that. Plus, we had a disagreement over money.Hethought I hadn’t tippedhimenough. You know… Some of these people can be quite belligerent about it.”

Lying through my teeth this morning.

He reads my eyes, but I’m unwilling to apologize or spend another second with him.

“Would that be all?”

“Make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he says coldly. “Have a good day,” he adds curtly, making me feel like a grounded teenager before he spins around and walks away.

This is not howI envisioned the start of my day.

20

MELODY

I’m stiff and in no mood to talk to my driver all the way to my office.

My jaw is locked, andeverything bothers me.

I enter my office, where Mina greets me.

“Your breakfast is here,” she says before blowing a strand of hair away from her face.

Her long, curly hair is gathered into a messy bun at the top of her head,some locks swooping down her brow and neck.

The shade of copper––a deep, rich, exuberant color–– fits her well.

I’ve long debated whether to dye my hair.I’m not sure that color would work for me, but it’s worth trying.

Her long lashes move quickly as she runs her eyes over my face.

“What happened?”

That’s why I like her.

Every nuance registers with her.

I toss my purse on the desk, shed my blazer, and slide into my chair.

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