“Yes, actually. Arnaud is here to see the room, but there’s a couple shoppers out front ogling the remaining Valentine’s collection. Which do you want to take?”
“Oh, right.” I stood and slid my laptop back into the messenger bag on the table. “I’ll show Arnaud around. Thanks, Addie.”
I followed her out of the breakroom to where Arnaud stood at the counter, looking completely at ease as he studied a rack of nightgowns. However I’d expected a martial arts instructor to dress outside of classes, it wasn’t anything like Arnaud’s wardrobe. Today he was in a slim-cut suit made out of a purplefabric so dark it was almost black. Only a faint shimmer when the light hit him betrayed the color.
“Arnaud, hi. Thanks for coming by,” I said, offering my hand.
He clasped it, flashed a brilliant white smile, and replied, “The pleasure is mine. Do you gift wrap?”
“Theoretically, yes. I’m not amazing at it, but if you catch us while Addie is here, she can take care of you with a bit more style.”
We reached the back of the store and I showed him both room options. “This one has more square footage, but it’s narrower. The other is smaller overall but more square in shape. I don’t know what will work best for you, but both rooms will be available.”
“Perfect. Adelaide said the roster is almost full for this month already. And you don’t mind us signing participants up for our regular program, if any are interested?”
I grinned at him. “Not at all. I’d love to see a few new faces in my class.”
“The seminar will be a good introduction to our style of teaching, I think. Our female instructors will be there to help with the workshop, but if you’re willing and comfortable with it, I’d love to have another person to demonstrate as we go through the moves.”
“Oh,” I said, surprised by the invitation. “I’m not sure how graceful I’ll be, especially in front of an audience. I haven’t been doing it very long.”
“You’re clever, Eden, and fierce. My wife would call you a spitfire,” he teased. “Besides, your teachers speak very highly of you.”
Flattered by both assessments, I replied, “Well, then. I’m in.”
Once Arnaud decided on a room for the class, he left the store. Addie, the customers, and I all stared after him as he strolled down the sidewalk, admiring the way his suit gleamed in the sunlight.
“There’s this meme that says, ‘I’m bi, which means I’m attracted to all women and one man,’” Addie muttered under her breath. “I think he’s that one man.”
I snorted a laugh. “He’s married, Addie.”
“Yeah. And I’ve got a hot date tonight with Olivia.”
“I love you,” I said out of the blue.
Addie turned to look at me, moving cautiously, like she was afraid I might burst into tears or something. “And I love you, babe. Always.”
I tossed one arm around her shoulders. “Right, that’s settled. Now, tell me about your plans for tonight.”
ThoughIdidn’twantAddie to know I was looking further into my brother’s church, it wasn’t something I could keep from Milo. We talked it over that night on his couch,with him lying on his back, me draped over him, and Jiji curled up behind my knees.
“I looked at their website, too,” he admitted, fingers toying with my hair. “I didn’t see anyone in any of their photos that I recognized from town, though.”
“Why you? Why would you get that phone call? My number hasn’t changed since my brother called me years ago, not that my parents ever used it—but what was the point of calling your phone with the warning? Why not me?”
Milo’s hand stopped moving for a second, then he said, “I don’t know. We’re living in sin, basically, right? Maybe they shifted their sights to me because I let you lead me astray?”
His tone was teasing, but the words hit me like a blow. I knew the instant he felt my reaction, because he shifted suddenly and cupped my jaw with one hand.
“No,” he said sharply. “No way, Eden. I was just kidding. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, but my muscles remained tense.
“You are not taking responsibility for this. No matter what messed up rhetoric somebody is using to justify any of what’s happened, it is not your fault. Not. Your. Fault.”
My body relaxed again, melting into him. “I know.”
“Good. What do you think about the Chief’s suggestion that we hire a security guard to keep an eye on the stores?”
