Page 25 of Rafael

“I rented the apartment to the best-looking one of the lot.” YaYa’s chest puffed out proudly.

The man behind Valentin came into view.

“Rafael Romero,” YaYa said at the same time as Gisele mouthed the same name.

Rafael spotted her and grinned. “Hello, neighbor.”

Gisele muttered a curse under her breath.

“Every time I look at him, my breath catches and my heart hammers hard in my chest. I feel like a teenager.” YaYa laughed. “I’m as bad as all these ladies who will now be my early morning class. I’ve never met a man who gets my blood humming so quickly. Do you think he’d go for an older, more experiencedwoman? One with a flat ass, spider veins and crow’s feet?”

“I’m sure he doesn’t discriminate based on age or body type.” After all, he’d kissed Gisele, gone after Bianca and probably half the women in the Parrish. He was one hundred percent a womanizer.

And he was moving in next door to her.

How the hell was she going to avoid him when he would be there every time she walked out her door?

To make matters worse, YaYa waved him over. “Rafael, have you met my neighbor, Gisele, the owner of Mamba Wamba?”

Gisele took his hand, shook it briefly and let go like it was a scalding hot baked potato fresh out of the oven. “We’ve met,” she said, her tone flat.

“I spent the night at her place last night,” he announced.

YaYa’s eyes widened. “I was away in New Orleans last night at a ballroom dance competition. I didn’t get home until the early hours of the morning. Pray tell. What did I miss?”

“Nothing,” Gisele blurted.

“Everything,” Rafael said at the same time. “Her shop was broken into, and she was attacked.”

YaYa’s eyes grew bigger. “Seriously? I’ve been so busy registering new clients I haven’t caught up on the local news.” She gripped Gisele’s hands. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“Did he take anything?” YaYa asked. “You do lock up your cash in a safe, don’t you?”

“No, he didn’t take anything that I could tell,” Gisele said. “And, yes, I lock up my cash in the safe. He tipped over a shelf of products and Johnny’s cage. I think Johnny scared him off.”

“Oh, sweetie,” YaYa squeezed her hands, “I’m so sorry.” She turned to Rafael. “And you stayed with her all night to make sure she was safe?”

“I did,” Rafael said with a nod.

“In the shop. On the floor,” Gisele clarified. “I slept in my apartment upstairs.”

YaYa looked from Gisele to Rafael and back. “Such a missed opportunity,” YaYa murmured. “But I’m glad you weren’t harmed. What’s this world coming to? Why would someone break into a voodoo gift shop? It’s not like you’re hiding a bag full of money or diamonds in there. Or are you?”

Gisele shook her head. “Just lotions, potions and cheap voodoo dolls and figurines. The most valuable thing in my shop is Johnny.”

“No one is going to steal that bird,” YaYa said. “He’s too mean.”

“I’m just glad he wasn’t hurt when the intruder knocked his cage over,” Gisele said.

“Did you notify the sheriff?” YaYa asked.

Gisele nodded. “I did.”

“Was he able to find your burglar?” YaYa snorted and answered her own question. “Probably not.Unless you catch him red-handed with his hand in the cash, you’re out of luck. Even then, if he’s got a good lawyer, they’d get him off, claiming his client was sure the cash was there for the taking.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You need to install a security system with video surveillance and alarms.”

“I never thought anyone would want to break into my store.” Gisele sighed. “It’s not like it’s a jewelry shop with diamonds and gold. Besides, it was probably someone here for the Zydeco festival. I’m sure Johnny scared him enough that he won’t be back.”

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