“I don’t think Kira would appreciate that very much,” I said in response to Seb’s suggestion.
Seb shrugged and sat back with his arms behind his head. “Worth a shot,” he smiled.
“Thanks, again, for the lift,” I said to Dean, “And the food,” I nodded to Seb.
“Anytime.” Dean’s smile was subdued as he brought his eyes from me to the road.
“Oh, we’re definitely hanging out again,” Seb said. “I want to know what other movie references you know.”
“You’d be surprised,” I smiled at him. “My dad is a fan of the classics, so my sister and I are well-versed.”
Seb seemed impressed. “Your dad has taste.”
My dad is a detective. I forced a smile, suddenly feeling like I said too much when I barely scratched the surface. I shouldn’t be getting close to them.
“I’ll see you when I see you,” was the last thing I said before I stepped out of the car. It wasn’t until I was safe inside the foyer that they pulled away from the curb.
After a ride up in the elevator, I quietly and quickly walked down the third-floor corridor. The last thing I needed was for our nosey neighbor, Susan, to come out and question why I was getting home so late. So late it was already Sunday morning.
I reached the door to the apartment, key ready, and let myself in before the jingling of the key unlocking the door sparked Susan’s interest. I swear she spent more time listening out for potential gossip fuel than talking to her husband, Henry — a man I rarely saw because he preferred his privacy.
The apartment was quiet, but the kitchen light was on, sending a soft glow across the living room. As I made my way down the short entrance hall, I heard the tap running. I crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t be Aiden and stepped around the corner, dropping my shoulders in relief when I found Kira standing by the sink, a glass of water in hand, and dressed in an oversized T-shirt. Her red, curly hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head.
“Oh my god, Lil, you’re finally home,” she whispered, placing the glass in the sink. Her brown eyes looked puffy. “I was getting worried something had happened.”
“No, I’m fine. I had a late dinner...” I kept my voice quiet as I dumped my bag on the counter and asked carefully, “Are you okay?”
“Oh.” She quickly wiped her eyes and leaned on the counter. “Yeah. I just woke up.”
“I’m surprised I didn’t see Aiden at the fight tonight.”
“We thought we’d have a night in.” Kira smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes like it usually did.
I frowned slightly. “Are you sure everything’s okay? Did you guys have another fight?”
“Everything’s fine, I’m just tired,” she reassured, allowing a knowing smile to spread on her face as she reached across to poke my arm. “I am intrigued to know who you had a late dinner with though.”
I pressed my lips together and reached for my bag. “I had to woo him somehow,” I joked quietly, pulling the signed coaster from my bag.
Kira gasped happily, her eyes growing bright, as she took the coaster and beamed down at it, struggling to keep her voice quiet. “You didn’t? Aiden is going to love this.” She skipped around the counter and pulled me into a hug. “Thank you so much, Lil. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I squeezed her back. “No problem... I hope Aiden doesn’t plan to start a collection of Romeo’s signatures though. I think asking for one is enough because, apparently, he does not give them out at all.”
Kira pulled back with a more mischievous smile. “He must think highly of you if this was the exception,” she winked, poking me in the side.
I swat her hand away, suppressing a laugh. “Go to bed.”
She laughed quietly as she walked back to her bedroom. “Let me know in the morning if you have any sweet dreams of Romeo tonight,” she winked, slipping into her bedroom and closing the door behind her.
I gaped at the door and rolled my eyes.
There was no denying that Dean frequented my dreams lately, but so had everyone and everything else related to The Den and its basement. I had a vivid imagination, so of course my brain would blend all that into some whacky version of what I witnessed. Dean just happened to be the main narrative of those dreams.
It wasn’t until I closed my bedroom door that exhaustion came in a heavy wave, allowing just enough strength for me to change into my pajamas before I flopped into bed, sinking into the pillows with a heavy sigh.
For the first time since starting work at The Den, I felt like the smallest of weights lifted from my chest after tonight. At least just for a moment anyway.
Chapter 20
