Page 46 of Saving Bonnie

Too eager to wait, I uncover a corner to find soft, green material and gasp. I recognize what it is and close the box, shielding the contents from prying eyes.

White and green, with lace. The exact text I sent Tino.

My first instinct is to look at the camera. Is he watching? Although I wouldn’t put it past him to be aware I received his package, somehow I’m sure he’s not watching.

The phone rings. My pulse races. I can’t walk away without knowing. I skim through the flowing script, picking up keywords as I absently approach the phone.

Custom. Imported silk. Handmade to your specifications. Laundered. Pleasure.And a discrete footnote warning the items aren’t edible.

My face flames.

Mom grabs the receiver before I can lift a hand. “What have you got there?”

“Nothing.” I immediately bring the paper to my chest, like a schoolgirl caught sighing over her secret crush.

Mom gives me an eye roll, lifting the receiver. “Bomberos.”

Reaching back, I snatch the box off the counter then slip by her, untying my apron. “Be right back,” I announce to Manny and MJ on my way through.

I’m about to turn the doorknob when I stop.Breathe. Pull yourself together then you can go in, past the eye in the sky.Easier said than done, but a few deep breaths later, I let myself in with as much dignity as I can muster.

Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.The stairway has never seemed longer. Finally, I’m standing on the landing. Seven, seven, five, nine. The lock engages, and I’m in the door. I’m dashing through the apartment, my fingers on the box. If I pull up, I could scratch the box with these nails. So I wait, removing my apron as I get closer to the bedroom.

Going through the ritual once more, I open the box, pulling away the tissue paper, and find three gorgeous garments.

Forest green, pearl, and a shade of green much like the tulip stems on the pictures around me. They’re layered with delicate lace and a tiny bow where the thong comes together at the back.

Tino.

This isn’t some kind of apology; I’d be foolish to think so. For a custom order, he must have ordered the day I sent the message.

Still, my eyes burn, and my throat is clogged with a feeling I can’t bring myself to accept.This is just a business deal. Nothing personal. Don’t be an idiot.

Yet here I am, reaching for the button at my waist. I step into the panties, bringing them to my waist. While I’m not a fan of thongs, this looks fantastic on me. I’m ultra-sensitive to the shorts settling against my bare skin. This feels like Tino cupping me between my legs.

I shake free of the thought and head downstairs, feeling lighter than I have in days. I’m closing the kitchen door when Rick’s delivery truck comes into the drive. An odd sensation settles at the base of my spine. Because of the thong? Technically, he’d be the first one to see my ass, though I’m well covered in modest shorts I can wear at work. I chuckle to myself.

“Soooo,” Mom coaxes, expecting a rundown on the delivery.

“Air fresheners,” I toss over my shoulder then head straight to the sink to wash up. We’ve had a simple truce on asking questions. All I told her was Tino’s not here right now. Surprisingly, she didn’t push. Maybe because she’d open the door for me to ask for more details about my father. The truck stops in front of the window. Rick goes around opening the back. “Let me open the door for Rick.”

“Grab what the guy brings over,” Manny instructs MJ.

“I got it, ma’am.” For all of seventeen years old, MJ’s a hard worker, quiet and willing to take on any task.

“Thanks.” I grab my apron and pull it over my head. This is as close to normal as we’ve been in nearly three weeks. I’m getting my footing again.

“Oh, hey.” Rick’s voice comes from the entrance, unsure.

“Stack the boxes in the storage room,” Manny suggests. “We’ll put everything away as soon as we have a few minutes.”

Rick cranes his neck to see around MJ. He sends me another of those killer smiles. “Hey, Bonnie.”

“Hi there.” After returning his greeting, I head to the tea maker to fill a pitcher.

“Well.” Mom comes to lean against the wall. “Whooo is Rick?”

“He brings in the deliveries from Nuevo Laredo.”

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