Page 69 of Salvation

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Last nightwith Gabrial was super intense. I don’t know what came over either one of us. We’ve never been that hot for each other before. It was if we were both trying to brand the other.

It was sexy as hell, and I’m sore in all the right places today.

Maia and Davey are in the back grabbing some boxes since I never did get around to talking to Gabrial about not needing Davey here anymore. After the passionate sex last night, we both passed out. I overslept this morning and woke up with my stomach screaming in hunger, realizing we never ate dinner last night.

I dreamed last night, though for the life of me, I can’t remember what I dreamed about. The dreaming, on top of the crazy sex session, and the missed meals, have me drained today. I feel like I need a nap. I’d love a nap. And some food.

Ha, yeah right.

Cause you have time for a nap…

Laughing at myself, I mutter, “Girl, you’ll be lucky if you have time to pee today. You do need to find something to eat though.”

An amused voice drifts into my office. “Are you talking to yourself, Hope?”

I grin at Maia, taking in the healthy flush of happiness clearly evident on her bronzed skin. “Yeah, but as long as I don’t answer myself, right?”

She laughs and nods at the box in her arms as she looks around at the mess in my office. There are literally boxes everywhere. We received the first draft check from the new sponsor, and I was able to order all new pillows, linens, and towels for the shelter. The shipment arrived today, and I underestimated the sheer number of boxes.

I laugh. “Um… well, I guess just stick them wherever you can find a spot. They all have to be unpacked and checked in.”

She nods and sets her armful down on a stack of boxes by the door. Davey walks in with more boxes and whistles before saying, “Is this going to fit?”

I mutter, “That’s what she said.”

Maia coughs and a loud laugh escapes her while her cheeks pinken. “Good lord, Hope. Really?!” Davey just shakes his head; he’s used to my dirty sense of humor by now.

Laughing with her, I shrug. “What can I say? It was the perfect opportunity.”

Reaching out for the water bottle on my desk, because I’m parched, I bump one of the boxes and it topples off the edge. After drinking half the bottle, I bend, starting to pick up the brand-new taupe washcloths that scattered all over the floor. My cell goes off with a text, but my hands are full as I shove towels back in the box. I ask Maia to check it. She leans over and smirks as she sees the name displayed there. “It’s Luke. He wants to know if you can meet him for lunch in an hour.”

Looking around at the boxes stacked everywhere, I start to say no. But before I can, Maia says, “Go. Davey will stay here as long as Luke picks you up and we’ll keep sorting this stuff. If you have to meet him, I can just work on it alone. You won’t be gone that long anyway. Just have lunch with him.”

Nodding, I ask her to text him back that lunch sounds good. It does. I’m starving. I need to eat. And I need to talk to him anyway.

She rapidly types out a response and sends it. We all sing and dance around to the tunes coming through the local pop station on my radio, as we continue to unpack boxes. My hands are once again full when my phone buzzes on the desk with Luke’s return text.

Laughing with good cheer, Maia says, “Want me to check it for you?”

I bat my eyes at her. “Would you please? You’re a doll.”

She grins and mumbles, “You’re in a damn good mood.” She clucks her tongue as she reads the text. “Rotolo’s at noon?”

Rotolo’s?

I thought he’d want Mother’s Love.

Oh well, it’s only about twenty minutes away and is closer to the precinct.

He must be busy.

I nod and Maia texts him back that it’s fine. Then, I remember… I rode with Davey this morning. My inspection sticker is expiring, so after grabbing my car from my house, I dropped it off on the way to work and rode in with Davey.

Swiping my sweaty hands on my jeans, I grab my phone from where Maia just laid it down. Her brows arch with a question. I shrug. “I forgot I don’t have my car.”

I shoot out a text to Luke.

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