Page 52 of Spark

Mia hated to stop what they were doing, but it was eleven-thirty. “I have more to tell you.” She had to tell him all she had said to the cops, the little lies that she had spun to protect him.

“Okay, yeah.” He sat up.

She placed her hands in her lap and filled him in on all the moments she had with both detectives, including the phone callfrom before he arrived. “Flory covered for us for Sunday night.” She waited in silence, letting Aurelio gather his thoughts.

She stood; her legs were stiff from all the earlier activity. Mia grabbed her bag and the dissertation on her computer, which was ready to be submitted. She turned to Aurelio, who finally put his shirt on.

“Wait, how did you get here?” she asked. “You were outside already when I answered your messages.”

Aurelio laughed, buttoning his vest over his white shirt. “Honest answer?”

“Of course,” she replied.

“I never left the parking garage. After I finished fixing the problem that pulled me from you, I went there.” He pointed out the window to the lot. “I waited all night, called Mac early so he could come pick up Baby, and then I walked to the pharmacy on the corner and bought the roses. The plan was to go door to door looking for you.” Aurelio winked. His plan was brilliantly silly.

“Oh my god,” Mia said, placing a hand on her head.

“Luckily, you responded before I even had the chance to knock on one door.”

“Poor Janet.” Aurelio's brow lifted in question. “My neighbor across the hall. She loves roses.”

“Ha, well, I will have to bring her some then.”

They left the loft, and Mia pulled the door closed behind her with a click of the lock. They reached the new door, the keycard having been installed over the last two days. Mia paused, reading the sign posted. In simple font the sign explained that the doors would be in working order starting the next day, to be sure all keycards had been received and left a number to call with questions.

“Shit,” Mia said, placing a hand on her forehead. “We should see if tony has mine.” Aurelio raised a brow at her. “He owns the café downstairs.” She said, pulling him out the door and down.

“The café was mostly empty, Tony nowhere to be seen as they entered hand in hand. Mia scanned best she could, the swinging door closed as she approached. The girl Tony had been training a few weeks ago gave Mia a shy smile, her eyes scanning the couple as they approached.

“Hi.” Mia said, smiling. “Is tony around?” the girl shook her head, her voice quiet as she spoke.

“He had to leave for a little bit.” The girl seemed nervous behind the counter. “Can I help with something?” Mia shook her head, extricating her fingers from Aurelio’s. she slipped her phone from her pocket and clicked Tony’s number. On the third ring he answered.

“Girl!” he exclaimed. “What is up?”

“Hey tony.” She said, smiling. “Do you have my keycards?”

“Oh, shit yes!” he called. “They are at the café, under the register.” Mia looked to the girl again and smiled. “Natalie is working, just head down and ask her about it.”

“Im already here.” Mia said, giving the girl, Natalie another smile. Mia pulled the phone from her partially and pointed at the register. “Tony said my keycards are under the register?” Natalie gave her a wide eyed stare before looking at the register herself.

“Did she find them?” Tony asked.

Mia waited while the girl fumbled around, her fingers under the register and pulling at something.

“Maybe.” Mia replied, tony laughing.

“Girl, she is like a baby deer.” Another laugh. “Give her the phone for a sec.” Mia obliged, holding the phone out the Natalie, who, cautiously, took it.

“Hello?” she spoke soft as feather. “Hi. Okay. Yeah, sure. Not a problem.” Mia watched as Natalie lifted the register slightly, an envelope below it. She watched the girl gingerly grab it and pull. “Uhm, yeah. Of course.” Natalie handed the phone back to Mia. “He said you owe him a coffee date and something about chocolates?” Mia laughed, looking at the phone. Tony must have hung up, the screen now black as she slid it into her pocket.

“Yeah, I will buy him his chocolates.” Aurelio answered, his own smile matching Mia’s.

“Well, here.” Natalie said, handing over the envelope. “He said they were yours.” Mia accepted the package and turned, saying a quick goodbye. Aurelio gave a little wave, his hand coming around Mia’s waist as they out to her car.

Mia let Aurelio hold open the door for her as she reached into the envelope, pulling free a guest keycard. She passed it to him before folding up the envelope and sliding it into her bag. Aurelio gripped the card, looking it over.

“Guest access?” he asked, sliding the card into his pocket. “So I can come and go as I please?” his grin was devilish as he gripped her waist, pulling her flush with his chest.

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