Page 19 of Spike

“You too, Devlin.”

“Your place islovely,” Gemma added.

“Thanks. We’veworked hard to get it here.”

“You can say thatagain,” I murmured.

Devlin rolled hereyes. “You have shelves to stock, buddy.”

“Be right there,”I promised and turned to Trixie as Devlin walked back behind the drapes. “Yougonna give me your phone?”

“Why?”

“For your number,love,” Gemma said.

“Oh,” Trixiesqueaked, handing her phone over to me. “Does that mean you’re going to callme?”

“Hell, yeah, Iam.” I added my contact information to her phone, then sent myself a text so Ihad hers.

“I’ll be rightoutside,” Gemma said, smiling at me as she stepped out the front door.

“I can’t believe Ifound you,” I said, not wanting her to leave. I was afraid if she walked outthe door, I’d never see her again.

“I can’t believeyou found me, too.” Trixie bit her lip and it took everything in me not tothrow her up against the reception desk and kiss the fuck out of her. “Pleasedon’t disappear on me, okay?”

“Not a chance.” Iwaved my phone in the air. “Got your information now. I’m not letting you goagain.”

“Promise?” shewhispered.

“Fuck, yeah, Ipromise.”

“Can I hug you?”

“Yeah, beautiful,you don’t even have to ask.” I held my arms out and she wrapped hers around mywaist.

“Wow, you smellamazing,” she whispered, giving me a squeeze before stepping back. “Sorry, I’mmaking things awkward.”

“Not even close.”I smiled. “You sure you have to go?”

“Yes, I need toget home.”

“Call me later?”

“Do you want me tocall you later?”

“Wouldn’t ask if Ididn’t want.”

She smiled. “Well,then, maybe I will.”

“Holding you toit, Trixie.”

With one last nod,she walked out the door, and I went back to helping Devlin stock the shelvesI’d just assembled for her.

** *

Trixie

I had just closedmyself into my little apartment when I heard the garage door open below me. Irushed to take off my makeup and throw my pajamas on, crawling back into bed,just in case my mother were to come looking for me.

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