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Intrigued, and now truly snooping, I tapped the e shed with cardboard boxes inside It was Jaht across the street

I looked toward the bedroouy?

An hour later, after we’d made a picnic of crackers and peanut butter on top of Denzel – aka, the second es – we headed to the café

"Is Erin working today?" Reyes asked me

"I don’t know," I said, curious about the inquiry

We walked in, and Reyes had been right Dixie wasn’t the least bit concerned at how late he was

I glared at hi sexual favors with our boss for special consideration and advancement opportunities you are under qualified for?"

A lopsided grin spread over his face "No"

"Oh I was going to say that if that’s what it takes, I’d do ’er"

"What about Cookie?"

"I’d do her, too, but I don’t think it would get me very far with Dixie Unless, you know, she was into that sort of thing"

He let out a soft laugh "I ht Looks like it" She walked out of the bathroom, a mortified expression on her face, her blouse splotched with dark espresso "Short controlled bursts," I relare worthy of Lizzie Borden

"That color looks great on you," I said, trying to help

That time, she flipped me off I decided to stop while I was ahead

Reyes wrapped his arms loosely around me and pulled me closer "You need to coued

"I think you’ll like what I have in store for you"

"Okay, but it can’t be better than posole for breakfast"

"You ht be surprised"

"I can hardly wait And looks like she is"

He turned to see what I was talking about as Erin walked in, looking both haggard and… at ease Reyes gave , then went to the kitchen to start his day Erin walked over to me Francie was already there, and she watched us with a certain kind of bloodlust in her eyes

When, without saying a word, Erin hugged ht Francie’s jaould fall off it dropped so hard

Erin set , and I realized she couldn’t She was too choked up Too grateful

"You’re welco her hands a squeeze "I’m so happy for you, Erin"

"I am, too," she said with a hiccup of emotion "I can never repay you"