“Hey, baby,” he said after she entered the condo.
He was sitting at the kitchen island, working on his laptop.
His smile was like medicine for her soul. Perfectly straight, bright white teeth that sparkled in the sunlit room. He’d dressed in a suit, pulled his hair into a half-bun. His male beauty made her heart stutter.
He’s the first real man I’ve ever dated.
“I love being your baby,” she said.
Her attention was hijacked by the artwork that had been delivered. Three of her paintings rested against the living room wall. “Seeing these in your home is unreal.”
A few easy strides and he was by her side. Warm hands helped her out of her coat, then he pressed his lips to her forehead. “When you feel better, we’ll hang them.”
He’d purchased the scene of the family at Christmastime, a beautiful Colorado sunset, and a smaller painting of her imaginary family at an art museum.
“Thank you for buying my work.”
“You’re very talented, Brit.” With a gentle hand, he escorted her over to a barstool at the island.
“What’s the verdict?” he asked.
“Strep.”
He handed her a glass of water. While she drank down an antibiotic, he pulled a covered plate from the oven, set it in front of her.
He’d made her breakfast. Scrambled eggs and a small bowl of oatmeal.
She mustered a smile. He was taking such good care of her. “Thank you, but my throat hurts too much.”
“I’m sorry, babe, but you gotta eat something.”
The food tasted delicious, but the swallowing was tortuous.
“If you need a day, I got the meeting,” he said.
“Hell, no,” she replied. “I don’t need a day. I need to find the Alphabet Killer.”
Joaquin
Ten minutesafter Rebel hit I-66, Brit was out cold. As he glanced over at his sleeping angel, he couldn’t believe he’d fallen as fast as he had.
I’m in love.
Two and a half hours later, he pulled onto the campus of Acorn Boarding School for Girls, followed signs for the admin building. When he cut the engine, Brit woke up.
“Wow, I slept the entire way.” After chugging some water from her bottle, she winced.
Rebel popped out his earbuds. “Ready to rock this?”
“Totally.”
As they made their way toward the front door, she said, “Thanks for driving. I can drive back.”
“I got this,” he said. “You just get better.”
She gave him a little smile, popped a throat lozenge.
They waited for several minutes outside the headmistress’ office before an assistant escorted them in.
