Part 19 (2/2)

”The others...they look like you?”

Nina choked on a laugh. ”Much worse.”

Nat and I bit our lips to stop our own laughter from joining hers. But Nina quickly straightened, remembering we were in deep doo-doo.

But Dad asked, ”You punch like I show you?” We all nodded, confused, not knowing what the h.e.l.l was going on. Dad smiled and lowered his heavily accented voice. ”Mama send me in here to scare you, you know? She is very upset. Girls should no come home b.l.o.o.d.y.”

We all nodded. ”Yes, Tata.”

He shook his head, chuckling to himself. When he reached the door, he turned and spoke softly, ”You must block better.” He smiled then added, ”I show you how. Tomorrow.”

There sure never was a dull moment at our house. I never realized living the way I did, with two older sisters, gave me a life skill I never knew I'd need. I have an insane ability to take and dish att.i.tude without blinking an eye. Who knew I'd need that ability to deal with a thirteen-year-old paraplegic? I really should thank them. My sisters, that is.

Nah. f.u.c.k 'em.

Today was my first day of una.s.sisted work. Just because it was una.s.sisted, it didn't mean I wasn't supervised. For the next week, James will watch over me to make sure I'm doing everything I should be, but then it's all me.

After today's sessions were over, James pulled me aside to tell me how much of a great job I was doing. Personally, I felt like I was doing okay. Not great, but okay. Having him tell me how impressed he is with me was definitely something I needed. And although I wanted to hug him, instead, I rubbed his bald head for luck. He laughed and playfully shoved me away. My heart warmed. It was nice to have my friend back.

Felicity took me out to lunch and tried to get Willa to come along too, but she kindly refused. I told Felicity about The White Rabbit. She told me she'd always wanted to go, and invited herself along this Sat.u.r.day. Somehow, I don't think Felicity is the type of person who needs an invitation.

I asked Nat to pick me up after work. As we reach our destination, I punch her arm. ”Thanks for picking me up.”

Flinching, she rubs her arm and responds, ”No problem, b.i.t.c.h. And ouch!”

I grin and murmur, ”Oh, toughen up, princess.”

Nat pulls over in front of the house. ”You know what you're doing?”

I shake my head. ”Nope, but I think Ceecee will help me figure it out.”

She leans over and kisses my cheek. ”Good luck. I'll be at Tina's. Come get me when you're ready to go.”

Shame fills me, hard and sudden. I look up at my sister and promise, ”I'm going to get a car soon. I swear. As soon as I've got the money.”

She lifts her arm and punches me in the same spot I got her. I flinch, ”Ouch.”

Her brows rise. ”See? Told ya it hurts. And seriously, I don't mind driving you around. Neither does Ash. Take your time sorting things. We got your back.”

The bridge of my nose stings. Nat has been an absolute G.o.dsend. A pillar of support. My voice cracks as I tell her, ”Thanks. I love you.”

As soon as she spots my tears, she shoves me out the door. ”Nope! We're not doing this right now! You need to work. Vamoose!”

Sniffling, I step out of the car and chuckle. ”Yeah, yeah. I'm gone.”

I walk up the long driveway, my duffle bag by my side. When I reach the front door, I ring the bell and wait. A minute pa.s.ses before the door opens. I smile and look down at my new client. ”Hey, Ceecee. How're you doing, sweetie?”

Today is no different from the other days I've seen her. She all but rolls her eyes and mumbles, ”Fine.”

An awkward silence follows. My smile falls. I clear my throat and force a smile so hard my cheeks hurt. ”Is your dad home?” She nods and rolls her chair back out of the doorway in silent invitation. I step inside and ask, ”So how are you liking this place? It looks amazing.”

Her eyes reach mine. Her answer is quick, but harsh. ”I hate it.”

”Why is that?” I ask gently.

Her gaze flickers to the floor before she murmurs, ”It's empty. And cold.”

Doth my ears mishear, or is that the bitter sound of loneliness?

My chest aches for her. I wish I could bend down and hug her without having my head bitten off. Before I can think better of it, I step forward, lean down, and wrap my arms around her. She doesn't hug me back, but she doesn't stiffen either. I hold her a long while before she asks quietly, ”Why are you hugging me?”

She asks this question in a soft way, a sweet way, so I know this is not a warning to never do it again. As I separate from her, I answer her just as quietly, ”Because hugs are free and you looked like you needed one.”

The squeak of a door opening snags my attention. Max steps out of what I can see is the bathroom. How do I know this? I know this, because as he opens the door, steam follows him out. That, and he is dressed in a towel.

Only a towel.

Holy Mary, mother of G.o.d. He is magnificent.

I've seen men and I've seen their bodies. I've been to the beach a thousand times before. So I can say with absolute confidence, using my mental guide of comparison, this body is ridiculous. Ridiculously hot.

My body's reaction is just as ridiculous. My tongue swells. I begin salivating. My nipples bead and warmth hits my belly, hard. All I can do is watch in awe as he walks into the hallway. Water beads all over his olive skin and I silently wish to lick it off. With abs of steel and not an ounce of fat on him, my eyes follow his strong body as it moves gracefully down the hall.

With a towel around his waist and one in his hands, he wipes at his face before calling out, ”Baby girl, someone here?”

I watch Ceecee smirk. ”Yep.”

Oh man. This is not good. This is not a playful smirk. This smirk is spiteful and nasty. What on earth is going on here? Why is this normally sweet girl hating on her dad? I don't understand, but I vow to find out.

When Max looks up and sees me, his slow smile has my stomach flipping around like fish out of water. ”Cupcake. What are you doing here? I thought we had an appointment tomorrow sometime?”

My heart smiles at the fact he's not mad about me showing up uninvited. ”I-uh...I just wanted to-uh...” My mind is finding it hard to concentrate when we're trying to picture what's underneath that towel. ”Do you want to get changed, and then we'll talk?”

Ceecee starts to move away, when Max calls out, ”Don't go far, baby.”

She doesn't answer, just moves faster, and his smile fades. I would hug him if he were dressed...and if it weren't completely inappropriate right now. Instead, he looks back at me and points to his towel. ”Changing.”

I nod dumbly, staring down at the towel. Unable to look away, the towel comes closer and closer 'til my head snaps up. I find Max in my face, grinning like the fool he is. He lifts a hand and runs it through his wet hair, and then leans into me and whispers, ”I guess we're even.”

My mind-now comatose from copious amounts of s.e.xy-flat-lines. ”Huh?”

He looks down at my cleavage and tugs at the bottom of my tank. ”I've seen you. Now you've seen me.” He smirks. ”Even.”

My brain-to-mouth filter sparks and I blurt out, ”Technically, you'd have to lose the towel and put on undies. And a bra.”

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