Page 48 of Sinful Justice

Pushing up to stand with a sigh, I dry off and drop my towel, then slipping into fresh underwear and black slacks, I ignore the hand-shaped bruise on my left thigh and select a shirt not in the least bit like the top Aubree selected for today. Finally, taking out my hairdryer, I make quick work of my wet hair and blow it out until it’s straight and sits just past my shoulders.

Ready for the day, I pass along the hall, bang my fist against the bathroom door, and keep going. “I’m done. You’re done. Get out of my apartment. I’m going to work.”

“Slow down!” Aubree swings the bathroom door open and steps out in jeans, my top, and her half-pink hair in two long braids framing her face. “I was brushing my teeth.”

I stop on a dime and turn back with a snarl. “Brushing your teeth with what? Because I’m pretty effing sure you didn’t bring your own toothbrush.”

“Would it be crossing boundaries to borrow yours?” She makes her way along the hall and passes me with a playful grin. “Ya know, since we’re such good friends and all.”

“Yes,” I sneer. “It would be crossing boundaries. You crossed my boundaries yesterday when you hugged me without my permission. You’re yet to step back to your side of our fucking boundaries.”

“Grummmmmpy.” She slips her shoes on and stops at the front door. “I used my finger to clean away what felt gross, and I borrowed your mouthwash. But don’t worry, I didn’t put my lips on the bottle, and I didn’t spit what I used back in.” She opens the door and flashes a wide smile. “Time to start our day.”

Growling, I grab my phone, keys, and coat, and passing myex-employee, I skip down the stairs and blow past a watchful Steve.

“Good morning, beautiful ladies. You got in late last night.”

“Work. See ya, Steve.”

“Is that you, young Aubree?” My landlord stops in front of my second and pulls her in for a hug that has me skidding before I reach the door. “You’ve grown up!”

“Hi, Mr. Morris. How are you?”

“Itisyou! How’s your mom and daddy?”

“Oh, they’re good. Momma is still pretty cranky about all the cold weather. The snow killed her flowers.”

Steve chuckles. “Snow comes every single year. Anyone’d think she’d know that by now. And your father?”

“He planned to enjoy early retirement,” Aubree answers. “Though, now, he’s wondering if he jumped too soon.”

“Because of the dead flowers?” Steve’s lips quirk up. “Poor Eddie always did jump a little early when it came to that woman. Asked her to move in the night they met, if I recall correctly. Asked her to marry him the first time she cooked a meal.”

“Had my brother on their first anniversary,” Aubree adds with a gentle giggle. “I know all about it, Mr. Morris. They’ve always moved a little fast, so I’m not sure what they’re going to do now they’re both home and Mom can’t potter in the garden.”

“Don’t be so naïve.” I step back toward the chatting duo and grab Aubree’s sleeve. “We all know you’re about to get more siblings, Emeri. Now move your ass.” I look back at Steve and fake a smile. “We’ve gotta go to work.”

“Don’t tell me you girls work together!”

“Yup.”And I need coffee.“Bye, Steve.”

I yank Aubree through the door and into the cold, then I release her so she stumbles on the sidewalk while I make my way to Tim’s.

“You never told me you had siblings. Tim!” I slam my fist against his door. “Tim, wake up!”

“Uh…” For the first time since meeting her, Aubree appears visibly nervous. “What are you doing?”

“Getting coffee. How many siblings do you have?”

“Seven. And you’d know that, except you didn’t ask. Why are you knocking on Tim’s door for coffee?”

“Because he’s my supplier.” I slam my fist against the door again. “Tim! Wake the hell up and let me in.”

“You gotta stop doing this.” His voice comes first, soothing the frayed nerves in my stomach as I yearn for caffeine, then thesnickof the locks. Tim swings the door open to reveal a bare chest and different pyjama pants than yesterday.

Aubree audibly chokes on my left, tongue-tied and pathetic in her ogling, but I shake my head when he looks her way, and shove past him to get my fix.

“I still have to get to the store, which means I don’t have coffee yet.” I step around the bar and help myself to the pot and warmer he keeps on the low shelf. “And I haven’t been to the store because my work keeps me busy.”

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