even if I grovel and promise to get a second job to pay more?”
Monica shakes her head. “Sorry, Mags. But c’mon, let’s be realistic. It will take a couple of months for you to have the money to help out, and I can’t sign another lease. Think about it. Won’t it be nice to have your own place? And since I won’t need a lot of my old furniture, you can take what you need to the new place.”
I won’t express it as exuberantly as I feel it, but having my own things and space has a nice ring to it.
“Ugh, fine, but Desmond better play nice. If he doesn’t, I just might consider moving back to LA after all.”
Monica grins. “He will play nice, I promise. He wouldn’t have agreed otherwise. I think he’ll appreciate the help so much. It sounds like Gretta has really put him in a bind.”
Sighing, I gesture for the bartender to pour me another vodka soda.
If working with Desmond Blake is anything like being his student, then I don’t know if I’ll be able to ever forgive my sister for pushing me into this situation.
10
Welcome Home
Desmond
I’m refilling containers of condiments and spices in the back room of Edible Desire when I hear a knock on the door followed by the sound of the door opening and shutting.
“Hello,” calls out an annoyed voice.
I pop my head around the backroom door to see a woman looking just as irritated as her voice sounded. For a second, I don’t recognize the gorgeous woman with gray sweatpants and an off-the-shoulder top. First, she’s not wearing a stitch of makeup. Second, her long hair is pulled up into a high ponytail. The only bling about her are the diamond studs she always wears on her ears.
When Maggie’s eyes find mine, she sighs. “It’s two p.m. I thought we were going to meet upstairs.”
I glance at the clock on the wall and curse. “Shit, I forgot.” Then I flash her a grin. “Sorry.” I walk to the sink and wash my hands then grab my set of keys from the wall and start toward the entrance. She follows me out the door and up the flight of stairs to a set of condos on the top floor.
I turn right and unlock the door to Maggie’s new place. Before I push it open, I hand her the spare key. “Lose that, and you pay for the replacement.”
She rolls her eyes before zooming in on my key ring. “Wait a second. You have a copy?”
“Of course I do. I have the master.”
Maggie narrows her eyes. “So you can just walk in whenever you want?”
“Yes, but I won’t. Not unless something is wrong.”
“And I should trust you?”
I laugh and shake my head. “You mean trust that I won’t slip into your condo and replace your shampoo with Nair?” I shrug. “Guess you can never be too sure, can you?”
Her face darkens. “The fact that you even thought of that terrifies me.”
I chuckle. “Maggie. Seriously?” I tilt my head at her, hoping she can see my sincerity. “I’m not going to step foot inside your place. But if it helps you sleep at night, you can deadbolt it when you’re inside.”
“Okay,” she finally says and takes the key from my hand. Then she turns the knob and pushes her way inside.
There’s not much to the studio floor plan. The living space is one small room encased in white brick, with one large window that overlooks the back alley. The one bathroom is just large enough for a standing shower, toilet, and pedestal sink. And the updated kitchenette barely holds a small refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink. But as I glance around the newly renovated space, I know Maggie would be crazy to dislike it in any way. Who can argue with free rent plus a new job?
“Okay.” She sighs again and points behind me to my door. “Do you own that place too?”
I glance over my shoulder and nod. “Yup.”
She snorts. “You’re a regular landlord, aren’t you?”
“Sure, but I live in that one.”
She pauses for a second, like she needs to process what I just told her. We’re going to be neighbors. Apparently Monica failed to mention that to her.
“Of course you do.” She shakes her head with a laugh and then marches off, perusing the apartment like she’s taking measurements with her mind.
I lean against the open doorframe. “So,” I start, internally cringing at my lame attempt at conversation. I don’t know