ONE
TALLY
“Why don’t you go home early and surprise your boyfriend?” Keysha suggested, carefully positioning the last truffle atop the extravagant arrangement intended to be the centerpiece of the bridal table at a wedding that weekend. “I can finish up here. The hard part is done.”
“Hmm.” I was reluctant to leave before the centerpiece was delivered. Coco Luxe was my business, and it was my reputation on the line if this order didn’t arrive at its destination looking absolutely perfect. But Thad had been complaining about how long I spent at work, so perhaps, if I got to his place early, it would ease some of the tension that seemed to exist between us lately.
“Go on.” Keysha waved her hands at me, ushering me away, her teeth bright against her dark skin as she smiled. “I’ve got this. I’ll have it packed up and safely in the happy couple’s hands before the hour is out. I’ll even send photographic evidence.”
I looked around the room. The counter was mostly clear, although the sweet, rich scent of chocolate still permeated everything. The dishes had been tidied away and the materials needed to complete the commission were all on hand.
Keysha was right. There wasn’t much left to do. Couple that with the fact the storefront had closed an hour ago and perhaps it really wouldn’t be so bad for me to leave.
The tension dissipated from my shoulders, and they slumped. “Thanks, Key. Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
“Absolutely.” She snapped a tea towel toward me like a whip. “Now, get.”
Laughing, I backed away. “Thanks. You’re the best.”
Her lips twisted smugly. “I know. Just remember that next time I’m due for a raise.”
“I will.”
I washed my hands, removed my apron and hung it on the hook behind the door that led through to the shop, then I grabbed my sweater and pulled it over my head. It was always a little chilly in Coco Luxe because we couldn’t risk our product melting. Despite that, I tended to wear short sleeves during work hours, so I wouldn’t accidentally mix any clothing fibers in the chocolate.
Calling out a farewell, I exited through the back door, making sure to lock it behind me. We weren’t in a bad neighborhood, but it was always better to be safe than sorry.
I drove my small Nissan hatchback home, leaving the company vehicle for Keysha to use for the delivery. I parked in the lot and hurried into my apartment for a quick shower. Thad didn’t like it when I smelled like chocolate, which was pretty much always.
I bundled my hair atop my head and scrubbed myself with my favorite lychee-scented soap, then rinsed off, dried, and changed into a pair of dark-washed jeans I had to shimmy to get into and a black button-up blouse.
I stacked a neatly folded change of clothes into my overnight bag, along with my travel toiletries, and slung it over myshoulder, then tucked my wallet into my front pocket, my phone into my back pocket, and locked the door as I departed.
The drive to Thad’s apartment building didn’t take long, but the contrast between the areas surrounding his place and mine was extreme. I always felt a little nervous there.
I scanned the shadowed edges of the parking garage as I made my way across it, moving as quickly as I dared in my kitten-heel boots. I pushed the elevator button and, once I was inside, relaxed a little.
I got out on his floor, walked to his door, knocked, and waited. He didn’t respond. Perhaps I should have messaged before I left, so he knew to expect me.
Oh, well. I was here now.
I tried the handle, but it was locked. Glancing up and down the deserted corridor, ignoring the questionable stains on the off-white wallpaper, I debated whether to call or just let myself in.
I pressed my ear to the door. The faint whump and beep of electropop music filtered through. Perhaps he hadn’t heard my knock above the music.
I pulled my phone from my back pocket, found his number, and hit Call. The phone rang out. I sighed. There was nothing for it but to go in.
I’d dumped the keys in my bag, so I dug around until I felt the pointed metal against my fingertips, then flicked through until I found the blue one that Thad had given me for his apartment. I slotted it into the lock, turned it, and tried the handle again. The door opened.
The mouthwatering aroma of sweet and sour pork greeted me. I padded into the open plan living area. Chinese take-out containers covered the kitchen counter, along with an empty beer bottle and a half-drunk glass of wine.
I frowned. Thad didn’t like wine. He must have had a friend over.
The music was coming from deeper in the apartment, so I crossed the living area into the short hall. The bathroom door stood open, the room empty. The throbbing beat emanated from the bedroom.
I reached for the door, but another sound stopped me in my tracks.
My frown deepened.
