Page 35 of Mimosa

The admission alone was something Haze didn’t expect. Sonny’s entire demeanor was forsaken, as if his world was collapsing because of his own desires for Mims.

“I don’t see how love can be bad for anything or anyone,” Goldie said in a calm, low voice that had the three of them turning to him, hoping he could give them a light through the darkness. “I mean, yeah, in tense times, when there is a ton of bad shit around, falling for someone is maybe easier than it normally would. As humans, we seek out good things, things that are good for us, and love, well, it’s not always good for us, but we’re built to feel differently.”

“He’s special, as I’m sure you all know. His heart, it was…open, and there I was, walking right into it,” Sonny groaned.

“Abs, well, he’s the one who was pushing from our side. He saw something in the two of you that was maybe ripe for this. Mims, man, he kept trying to fall for old men to replace his dad, but…none ever really had his heart.”

Sonny explained, “It wasn’t the father he was looking for, or he could have easily taken Murphy into that role. He needs someone to force his hand a little, to tell him what to do, and be strong with him. I felt that early on and took advantage of it, not thinking. I really didn’t mean to…I didn’t mean to make him like me. I sure as fuck didn’t mean to like him.”

“What now? If you can’t place your heart in it while you’re undercover trying to bust these guys, then what?” Haze asked.

“I don’t know, but I do know I can’t give him up. The cartel thinks I’m with him, fucking around with him, anyway, but that’s not why. He’s maybe the best thing to come into my life in a long time. Criminal or not, he’s…he’s all good. I’ve been in adark and dirty place for so long, that this light, this bright white, clean light shined in and…it’s like a drug. I can’t do it.”

Haze felt that in his soul. It was one of the reasons he’d been drawn to Mims. Goldie was nodding along and even Taran agreed, “He’s…pretty special, but I’ve learned that all of Murphy’s Pub’s inhabitants are special. Murphy has a way of choosing these people that just make the world a better place. I fell for one. And believe me, he wasn’t easily fallen for. He pushed me away as hard as he could, and it made me want him more.”

“Well, then…what now?” Haze asked.

“I’m supposed to take him to a barbeque. Franklyn’s having it at this little park on the north side. All the members of the BBC are coming, their families. How they can walk around kids after they…”

“Steal them from other families?” Goldie asked.

“Yeah, exactly. They don’t see the irony, but they want to meet Mims.”

Haze thought it over and knew the best course of action. “Well, they will, but they won’t meet the real Mims. He’s going to act as dumb as he can. If they stop worrying about him, then they won’t worry about us anymore.”

“That would be the best thing, yeah. I’m sorry to say it, as you guys have been a help, but you’re just another complication in all this.”

Goldie agreed with Sonny. “I see that. One more group of people to worry over.”

“When is this happening?”

“Wednesday evening.”

Haze smiled and then later, when they were alone, he told Goldie, “We’re doing the theft Wednesday night, while the BBC is conveniently at the picnic.”

“I was thinking the same, my brother.”

“Let’s get back and tell Murph.”

Chapter Eleven

Theskywasmeltinginto shades of rust and a yellow he could almost taste as they sat on the veranda, watching the kids play chase.

The meal Eazy had made had lulled them all, making them soft and relaxed. Well, except for Katie and Little Mick.

They were on high speed, and Katie, who was usually so sedate, was leading the sugar rush.

“I told you those parfaits were going to make them crazy,” Murphy told his husband.

Eazy, who was sipping his tea and smiling, said, “It’s good for them now and then.”

“Leave my little sibs alone,” Ryan said as he laughed and chased them until he lost his energy. He sat on the floor of the veranda next to Mims’s chair and pointed, “You remember when I was that little, Dad?”

“I do. You were as bad when you got a snootful of sugar, too.”

Ryan, who was as beautiful as his father, but young, smiled at that. The best thing that Murphy had done for his oldest child was never let the two babies overshine him. Ryan was shown allthe love he ever had, even when his youthful stubbornness got the best of him.

Blond haired, blue eyed, and smart as a whip, but all Ryan wanted was to join the family business of thievery.

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