Page 27

“The fresh air is good for you,” Raeann remarks, her lips curving into a small smile.
Jasmine Esperanza walks out on the arm of her husband. They stop next to me as Raeann and I are still staring at one another like we’re in a chess match. The older woman touches my shoulder. “I’m so sorry I didn’t win you, Mr. Freeman.” She emphasizes my name, but it doesn’t seem as if she was offended by the way I corrected her earlier. It seems like she may have gotten off on it. She leans over conspiratorially and whispers, “Edward set my max bid at one hundred thousand. I’m sure you understand.”
I swallow, revulsion rifling through me. “It was a good number for charity.”
Raeann steps closer, and Jasmine sees her for the first time. “Oh, there she is. Our winner. How cute.”
“Thank you.” Raeann takes her place back where it was, her arm wrapped in mine. “Did you call the car yet, Micah?”
Jasmine peers between the two of us, and it’s clear she understands the implication Raeann has set. I’ll be calling the car for both of us.
Thank you, Jasmine. You actually did something helpful.
Luckily, a valet approaches us, and I give him my ticket. The Esperanzas’ vehicle arrives first, and the woman has the gall to wink at me before her husband helps her into the car.
“I don’t like her,” Raeann says as soon as her car door closes.
“Me neither.”
“Do people with money always act like that?”
“I have money.”
She shrugs. “You’re different. I think,” she tacks on, like she’s not ready to commit.
“I am,” I tell her as my SUV pulls up next to us.
“This is your car?”
“This is it.”
Tab walks toward us. “Please tell me we’re getting a ride.”
Raeann opens her mouth, and I sense a rebuttal coming, so I talk over her. “You sure are.”
“But the dog hair,” Raeann counters.
“That’s what they invented vacuums for, sweetheart.”
I hold the passenger door open for her while Tab and Athena hop into the back. On my way to the driver’s side, I slip the valet a tip and then get in. Raeann is peering at the interior with round eyes. Athena shakes, the jingle of her collar and tags a soothing chime. I slip her a treat from my suit jacket and give it to her. If Athena trusts me, maybe Raeann will, too.
I pull away from the curb, heading toward the shop. It dawns on me that I should ask where they live, but I don’t. I already know, and the sooner Raeann realizes I’m serious about all of this, the better.
There are several spots up and down her street, so I take the closest one and cut the engine.
“Come on, Athena. Let’s make ourselves scarce.”
“I’m coming,” Raeann says, quickly releasing her seat belt and climbing out of the car. By the time I’m rounding the front, Raeann’s and Tab’s heads are together, furiously whispering. “He might be a serial killer.”
“He’s too hot to be a serial killer.”
“Said all of Ted Bundy’s victims.”
“If you think Ted Bundy is hot, we’ve got bigger problems than that delicious snack staring at you right now.” Tab peersup and meets my gaze. “Okay, bye!” She waves, dragging Athena into a door on the far side of the building that must lead to their second-floor apartment.
Raeann stands back, wringing her hands together and looking longingly at the door Athena and Tab disappeared behind.
“Why are you hiding from me?”