Come Hot (Club Silken #2) - Jerrie Alexander Page 0,2

haven’t contacted either of us?”

“You and Morgan would’ve taken me on as a full time project and I couldn’t let you. I had over twenty years of horrible memories to deal with; I had to work through it alone.”

Chels’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m so proud of you.”

I thought about what she said for a minute. “Thank you. I’m proud of myself too.”

“May I ask where you’re living?”

“In a furnished apartment not far from here. My lease is almost up, and I’m trying to decide if I want to stay there or find a new place. If I move, I’ll have to buy a couch, bed, well, everything.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I had the complex manager put your belongings into storage.”

“You didn’t.” I shouldn’t be surprised. No one would’ve been this kind, except her.

“I did. I just happen to know where there’s a great apartment for lease.” She’s smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh, yeah? It wouldn’t happen to be in this complex, would it?”

“And on this floor. I’d love to have you as a neighbor.”

“You are absolutely one of a kind.”

“I don’t know about that, but I love the idea of us living close to each other again.”

She picks up her chopsticks, separates them, and scoops a mouth full of Ta Chien and fried rice into her mouth. Her gaze never leaves mine as she chews then swallows.

I study her for a moment. Her coffee-with-cream colored hair and hazel eyes combine and make her a beautiful woman. “I’d hug you but there’s a gooey green pepper on your shirt.”

She looks down then shakes her head. “I don’t see it.”

“That’s because of your big boobs.” I pluck it from her blouse with my chopsticks and drop it on a napkin. “I’ll check on the empty apartment in the morning.”

Chels nods and we eat in silence until the last piece of food disappears. “May I ask a personal question?”

“Of course.” I stuff the empty boxes back into the sack, gather up everything except the wine glasses, and take the trash to the kitchen. I rejoin Chels on the couch, expecting to reopen the conversation about my family emergency.

She speaks just as I sit. “Do you need money?”

“I don’t, but thank you for asking.” I take a sip of wine and start my story. “I’d never been truly happy until I left for college. My life had been pure hell. My father beat the crap out of me for anything and everything that went wrong.”

“Where was your mother?”

“Oh, she was there. She did her best to be invisible or she got the same treatment.” I empty my glass and pause for a minute. “That’s all in the past.”

“I’m so sorry.” Chels pours us a second glass of wine. “You don’t have to say anymore if it hurts too badly.”

I wave her off.

Her face is rigid. I see anger, not pity, in her eyes. She’s always been protective of her friends.

“My brother, Paul, called me that Thursday night while I was at the club. He said Dad died. The attorney wanted me there for the reading of the will. I didn’t know my mom had passed until I got there. I didn’t give a damn about the money, but I wanted to know where my mother was buried and that she had a proper gravestone.”

“Are you working?”

“Not yet. I’m living off my small inheritance and just focusing on my mental health.” I stand and stretch. “I’m beat. Thanks for dinner.”

Chels stands and catches my hand. “I’m glad you’re here. I missed my friend.”

“I missed you too. As soon as I know something about the apartment, I’ll call you.”

“And you’ll call Morgan?” Chels wraps her arms around me.

We stand there for a few minutes and my heart does a double-step. It’s the first human touch I’ve had in a long time. I realize how badly I’ve missed it. We’re both teary eyed when we separate. “Yes, Mom. I’ll call Morgan tomorrow.”

I get my purse and she walks me to her door, watching me stride down the hallway until I step onto the elevator. The nerves banded around my chest release. I’m touched Chels didn’t push to know every little detail that happened in my past. I shudder as my brother Paul crosses my mind. He’s like my dad only worse, and I never want to see him again.

2

Nick

I lean on the door facing outside Zack Pierce’s office hoping he’s ready to crack open this bottle of Glendalough 13 I bought him. One thing’s