“What’s your damage?” he asked the petty criminal.
“I need money. I—I can’t feed my family.”
Sure. Chances are he can’t feed his coke habit.
Sly erased his memory and tossed him in the direction of the parking lot with a final bit of advice. “Get a job.” The guy ran off.
The female student approached carefully. “Mister, can I have my purse back, please?”
Sly smiled, picked it up and handed it to her.
“Thanks. I don’t have very much money in here, but I’d like to give you something for your trouble.”
“Keep it,” Sly said. “I’ve got everything I need.” Realizing he was right, he sauntered off, whistling.
As Sly approached his apartment building, he spotted a couple at the top of the stoop. A very tall blond man and a woman with short, highlighted, brown hair turned and two pairs of blue eyes brightened, recognizing him just as he realized who they were.
“Konrad! Roz! What brings you here this lovely evening?”
Konrad jogged down the steps and surrounded him in a man hug, thumping him on his back.
He returned the friendly raps and glanced up at his old werewolf friend.
Roz smiled and waited at the top of the steps. “I heard you have your own key now.”
Sly chuckled as he ascended with Konrad. “Yeah, and my own apartment, but you knew that.”
She cocked her head and stared at him quizzically…as if she didn’t know.
“I may be giving it up at soon though.”
Roz sucked in a deep breath. “You’re moving out? Why?”
“I’m getting married.”
Konrad’s jaw dropped. Roz glanced at Konrad and mumbled “That was fast.”
She may not have meant for Sly to hear it, but he did and laughed. “Why are you so surprised, Roz? I heard you were the one who suggested Merry offer methe love shack.”
She giggled. “Oops. She told you what we named your apartment, did she?”
“Yup.”
“You’re not upset about the matchmaking, are you?” Konrad asked.
Sly shook his head. “Far from it. Everything has worked out better than I could have hoped.”
“You’re with Morgaine, right?” Roz asked.
“Correct.”
“We thought we noticed sparks between you two.” Roz winked. “I guess you just needed a little push.”
“Here, let me get you inside and we can talk some more.” Sly fit his key in the lock and let them in. “Who did you come to see?”
“Whoever’s around,” Konrad said. “We’ve missed everybody.” He shrugged out of his jacket and helped Roz with hers. “We were in town for the Nutcracker and thought we’d stop by.”
“Great idea. If no one’s expecting you, who do you want to start with?”
