Page 19 of Sinful Reality

Then another text.I worried about you today. You were quiet, and Fifi isn’t there to piss you off and get your blood flowing anymore. I’m happy you finally texted back. See you soon. Be safe walking home. I love you.

“See?” God, I’m speaking to myself, since Aubree is still on the other side of the glass. And yet, I continue. “We’re fine.”

ARCHER

Fletch and I step out of the station, almost shoulder to shoulder, and with a pep to our step. Not only because tomorrow, we’re heading out to search for Danika Smith’s body, but also, simply, because walking out at five on the dot two days in a row is practically unheard of for us.

Though, things get even better when we’re met with a beaming face.

“Daddy!” Mia bounds away from her nanny’s side and catapults herself into the air. “Ms. Penny said we could meet you today, Daddy!” She smacks a kiss on his cheek, then another to the other side. She places all of her trust in the man not to drop her because she flails and wriggles, cupping his face and planting a kiss right on the tip of his nose. “Can you smell that?” She draws a dramatically deep breath, only to heave it out again and force the man to inhale whatever she’s blowing. “Caramel ice cream, Daddy! Ms. Penny and me found a new shop that had a bashillion flavors, even in the winter.”

“Well, shucks, baby.” He holds her close and backs up to lean against the wall of the precinct. “I can smell it. It’s making my stomach rumble.”

“We got extras!” She practically fucking shouts her news to the universe. “And we put it in the freezer for you. You can have it for dessert if you want.” But then she lowers her voice,conspiratorially staring into his eyes. “I was really hopingwecould share it. It tasted so good the first time, and I know you like to share so much.”

No, he fucking doesn’t.I laugh to myself. But the sound draws Mia’s dancing eyes.

“Hey, Uncle Arch!” She jumps ship like the concrete won’t mess her up if she falls, tossing herself from her father to me. Then, she repeats her greeting. A kiss on my cheek, then another on the other. She cups my face and pecks the tip of my nose. But then she rolls in my arms and searches the empty space behind me. “Where’s Aunty Minka? She didn’t come today?”

“She’s at her own office.” But I fake a sad face and purse my lips. “You don’t even wanna hang out with me anymore, Little Girl? I remember back when you thought I was kind of amazing. But now it’s always,Where’s Aunty Minka? Where’s Cato? Where’s the cat? No love for me?”

“All the loves for you. It was snowing earlier when I was at school, Uncle Arch. Did you see?”

Nope. Can’t say I did.

“Sure I did! The clouds were kinda gray, huh?”

“Yeah. Mommy must’ve been saying hello, dontcha fink? She always makes it snow to let me know she’s thinking of me.”

“She absolutely is.” Fuck it. Lies are okay if they’re to help instead of hurt. “How was school today? What did you learn?”

“I learned how to play the bongos!” She scrunches her face and spins to search for her dad. “Can we ask Santa for drums for my room, Daddy? Bongos are like drums, but drums are bigger.”

“And way noisier.” I tap her chin and grin when her eyes come back my way. “I bet if you ask Cato for drums, he’ll get them for you even before Santa gets the chance to.”

“That’s enough of that.” Fletch grabs his daughter and tosses her over his shoulder. Then he flips me off and makes it so she can’t see. “We’ll write a letter to Santa, Moo. Wedefinitelywon’t tell Cato what we want.”

“Just trying to help,” I tease, missing her already now that he stole her from my arms. But she has to get out of the cold before she freezes, anyway, and I have to go home to my wife because fuck, it feels like we’ve been apart for months. “Enjoy your ice cream, Moo Moo. Uncle Arch says you can have it before dinner, if you want.”

“You’re a terrible friend,” Fletch grumbles, his eyes flickering with amusement. “Go home, Malone. Slam your head in the door, so I know you’ve been adequately punished for being a dick.”

“Daddy!” Mia tries to straighten on his shoulder, only to slump again and smack his back. “That’s abadword.”

“Miss Penny.” I dip my chin for the watchful nanny and slowly back up. “Thanks for taking care of our girl today.” Then I flick Mia’s leg until she howls from the non-existent tickle. “See you tomorrow, Mia. We should get breakfast or something. It feels like it’s been forever since we did that.”

“Okay!” She reaches down and smacks her dad’s butt. “We’re getting breakfast tomorrow, Daddy!”

“We’ll discuss it.” He turns, rolling his eyes. “Say goodbye, Moo. Did you leave the heat on in the apartment?” He mock shivers. “I’m f-f-f-freezing.”

“We left it on.” She stretches her torso and waves my way. “Love you, Uncle Arch!”

“Love you too, Sweet Pea. See you when I see you.”

“Tomorrow! Breakfast. Tell Aunty Minka I said hello. And tell Cato about the drums.”

“No drums!” Fletch shouts. “Absolutely not.”

I start toward home, slipping my hand into my pocket when my phone vibrates. I catch Felix’s name on the screen, but I also see text alerts and Minka’s name mixed amongst them. So I dismiss all the rest and go to hers first.

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