Page 94 of Mensa's Match

Mensa’s head dipped just a fraction. “That time is gone, Nadia. We went legit years ago now, and we’re going to keep it that way. Police investigations don’t move as swiftly as Brink did.”

The immediate change in Aunt Nadia’s demeanor made me brace. It only made Mensa grin.

“I ought to wipe that smirk right off your face, young man.”

Mensa shifted his gaze to me. “You didn’t tell her anything.”

My eyes widened. “Don’t you drag me into this. You dug your own hole, genius.”

Aunt Nadia glared at me. “What did he tell you?”

I pressed my lips together and debated the most diplomatic response. “It doesn’t matter, Aunt Nadia. It’s your story to tell, or not, and I’ll respect that either way.”

“Damn straight you will.”

I glowered at Mensa.

“Why are you mean-mugging me, Blume?”

“Because she’s pissed at me, when you’re the one who brought all this up in the first place.”

Aunt Nadia pointed a bony finger at Mensa. “Get her mess taken care of. She can’t be tip-toeing around town for months on end.”

“It’s been two weeks,” I muttered.

Aunt Nadia glared at me. “Three, young lady, or did the four days you spent in Jackson, slip your mind?”

I peeked over her shoulder and into her mug. Two-thirds of it held black coffee. “Drink your coffee, Aunt Nadia.” I lifted my eyes to Mensa’s. “And you need to learn – never mess with her before she’s had atleastone cup of java.”

That earned me narrowed eyes from both of them.

“Did you print those labels Friday afternoon?” Aunt Nadia asked.

I smiled. “Yes, and they’re on the appropriate boxes already. I’ll go triple check the orders, and seal them up.”

Aunt Nadia nodded, then turned to Mensa. “You can go help her, so you’re both out of my hair. And no necking back there.”

I swallowed back my laughter, because I’d forgotten how ornery Aunt Nadia could be without her caffeine.

Chapter 24

Like Two Aces

Mensa

He followed Whitney tothe back room. “How wrong is it that I want to make out with you just to be contrary?”

Whitney whirled on him. “Forget it. You’ve gotten me into enough hot water with her. Besides, I got work to do, mister.”

He glanced around the room and spotted five boxes with labels on them. “This is it? If I help you check these, you’ll be ready to leave in no time.”

Whitney shook her head. “Oh, no, I won’t. The website probably had at least one or two orders over the weekend. Aunt Nadia never checks that until Monday morning, so I won’t be ready to go until well after lunchtime at the earliest.”

He didn’t know why, but down to his bones, he didn’t like that.

“I won’t be here if you go after lunch.”

She gave him her big eyes and a cute chin dip. “Hence, Aunt Nadia wanting me to have my vehicle.”

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