Page 57 of Sinful Deception

She pauses to listen to Tim’s response. Because, of course, it’s Tim she called.

“Yeah. I ordered Thai for delivery around six. Nice and early so Mia can eat and relax, and so the rest of us can get home before tomorrow. It’s going to be a big day, so…” Her cheeks burn bright red as Tim speaks. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m working hard on keeping it out… Yeah.” She absentmindedly pushes the visitor chair closer to my desk and wanders to the door so she can get her coat and bag. “Uh-huh. Do you know what time Felix and Micah are flying in?”

“About eight,” I mumble, checking my texts now that I have a second.Felix and Debbie, as well as Micah and Tiia,Archer types.I have no fucking clue where they’ll all sleep, or why either of them thinks it appropriate to force the women to sleep on the floor. But they’re already on the plane and moving. Felix is concerned about Cordoza since the stuff in December, and he wasn’t leaving Christabelle alone in her current condition, so the weekend will be quick in and out. Get ready for the shitshow, Mayet. Please don’t divorce me over this.

I choke on a quiet laugh and quickly tap the bubble at the bottom so I can type up a reply.I don’t intend to divorce you because your brothers annoy the shit out of me. It’s hardly their fault these days. They don’t know how else to act. I seriously don’t know how we’ll fit so many extra people in our apartment, but I’m leaving that in your hands. All I know is I’m not sharing my bed with anyone except you. Aubree and I are leaving the office now and heading toward Fletch’s place. See you in a bit. Oh, and Aubree ordered dinner, so tell Fletch not to worry about that.

I hit send and lock my screen, only to look up and find Aubree doing the same.

“You act like this new commitment is a hardship for you, but then you go and voluntarily check in with the guy.” I slip my bag onto the crook of my arm and grab the door handle. “You’re whipped, Doctor Emeri, and you’re insecure about it.”

“I am a strong, independent woman. Whipped is not in my vocabulary.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.” I stride through the door and head for the elevator, tapping the call button and stepping in when it opens almost immediately. “You’reowned. That’s what I meant.” I study the emeralds shimmering around her neck. “Master and his little pet.”

“I’ll hurt you.” She slaps the button for the underground garage and presents a set of keys before I can wonder if she nabbed any. “I’d prefer you didn’t comment on my relationship at all.”

“Sorry, Pet.” I move to the side and cough to drown out the sound of my amusement. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

ARCHER

“Who are you texting?” I try to catch a peek at Fletch’s screen and the simple ‘yes’ he responds with, but he hits send too fast and slips the device into his pocket before I can. “Fifi?”

“None of your business.” He dips his spoon into a noodle soup thing and ignores the stares of everyone who watches him. Because I wasn’t the only one to notice his phone coming out, and he sure as fuck sits away from Aubree, so she can’t ferret out his secrets. “It wasn’t Sera. But I’m allowed to text people and it not be a thing.”

“Sure…” I pick at Minka’s noodles, moving quickly when she tries to smack my hand away. “Except you’re being weird about it. Being weird means we’re gonna ask about it.”

“It’s not weird to not tell you every thought that runs through my head.” He grinds his teeth when the phone buzzes again. But he doesn’t take it out of his pocket. I’m not sure a single one of us wouldn’t snatch the damn thing up and find the information for ourselves. “Mind your business, Malone. Or fight me forit. I could do with a bare-knuckle round to work through my frustrations.”

“Are you talking to a woman?” Minka leans forward, her voice low so Mia doesn’t spin from the television to listen. “Are you turning into Slutty Fletch again to cope with everything going on? Because that wouldn’t be unheard of in situations like this.”

“It’s not uncommon to slide back into bad habits when you’re going through something stressful,” Aubree adds. “We’re all aware you chose the hoe life after Jada.”

“Jesus.” He scoops more soup and noodles onto his spoon. “Can you drop it already?”

“And wanting that kind of distraction isn’t unreasonable,” Minka continues. “We’re burying Jada tomorrow, but it’s not like you were together when she passed. This isn’t ayou’re moving on too fastsituation. But I’m worried you’re?—”

“There’s an unspokensomethingbetween you and Fifi,” Aubree growls. “I know things are rocky, and everyone is walking on eggshells. Nothing is set in stone, of course, which technically means you’re single, but?—”

“It doesn’t sound unspoken to me.” Frustrated, he sets his spoon down and stares up at the ceiling. “Can I just enjoy my dinner without the fuckin’ Gestapo over here questioning every move I make?” He brings his eyes back down. “I’m not texting a woman, and even if I was, that would be between me, her, and Sera. I was confirming last-minute plans for something tomorrow, and it’s hardly a topic I wish to discuss at the dinner table. Just let me eat and rest before it’s time to put my baby to bed. Because tomorrow is gonna suck, and I’m kinda clinging to the fact it’s not here yet.”

Innocently, Aubree extends her hand across the table. It’s a friendly gesture, accompanied by her kind smile. But Fletch isn’t stupid. So he stands and takes his bowl to the sink. “No, thanks.”

“You’re being unnecessarily difficult!” She rotates in her chair to keep him in her sights. “I just want to hug you. Comfort you.”

“You want to comfort yourself. And you hate not knowing everything all the damn time. Can we just put a movie on, take turns cuddling my baby, and call it a day?”

At a knock on his apartment door, he glances across and groans when Fifi hesitantly opens it and steps in.

Where perhaps she would expect a smile, or at the very least, neutrality, Fletcher grabs his hair and tugs. “For fuck’s sake.”

“Right. Well…” She spins on her heels to leave again. “That’s enough of that.”

“No, stop!” Aubree jumps up from the table and dashes to the door. “That’s not about you. He’s having a moment.”

“Walking in to an unhappy grunt is a sign for me to leave.” She attempts to tug her hand from Aubree’s. “Two days in a row is obviously too much for us.”

“No.” Fletch releases his hair and draws a long, lung-filling breath. “Stay, please.”

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