Page 34 of A Step You Shouldn't Take

I didn’t have a proper answer for that. “I saw the light on.”

“So? I’m working.”

Coffee spread across the tiled floor behind her, edging dangerously close to the fluffy cream carpet.

“Let me clean that up.”

I didn’t wait for her to protest, just strode through to the kitchenette and snatched up a roll of paper towel. She started sputtering behind me.

“I can do that.”

“Let me fix it. And I apologise for scaring you.”

Stupid, Cullen.I should have known she’d be skittish after what happened.

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll get you a new cup too.”

“I don’t care about the cup, just… It doesn’t matter. Did you want something important?”

Shards of china were everywhere, and I wrapped a paper towel around my hand to sweep them into a pile. She’d got more of that caramel syrup judging by the sickly aroma. Did I want something important? Not really. I just didn’t want her to be alone at that time in the evening, especially in winter.

“Thought I’d give you an update. What doesn’t matter?”

“Nothing. Everything’s splendid.”

“Splendid? Splendid’s like ‘fine’ but for rich people.”

“You think I’m rich?”

“You own a business, your home’s paid off, you come from a good family…”

Kimberly clenched those dainty fists and crouched beside me, eyes flashing.

“You researchedme? How dare you?”

“Standard procedure. Been stiffed on the bill too many times.”

“That’s…that’s…invasive.”

“Invasive would be if I rummaged through your nightstand or got ahold of your medical records. All of that other information’s publicly available.”

She looked kinda cute when she was angry. Like a pissed-off kitten. Shit.

“Will you just finish up and leave?”

“Don’t you want an update?”

“Well, yes, but I’m busy right now.”

“I thought everything was splendid?”

A roll of the eyes. “Fine. There’s a small problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“One of my clients is getting married tomorrow, and the gift bags arrived this afternoon. They’re supposed to be white lace with pink ribbon ties woven through the top, but they arrived with red ribbon instead.”

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