Page 20 of No Gemini Does it Better (BLP Signs of Love #2)

Three months later.

I pushed the door open, and the smell of fresh linen air freshener reminded me that I was home.

It was the only scent I’d been able to tolerate as of late.

My bag hit the floor with a thud as I slumped against the frame for a second.

Work had been a relentless tide of cases, and all I could think about was crashing on my couch and taking a much-needed nap.

Like clockwork, Kareem managed to nudge his way into my thoughts when I looked at it, uninvited as usual.

It’d been three months since he’d taken refuge here, in my tiny sanctuary, away from the mess of his pending freedom.

He was looking to start over, to cut ties with his old life and breathe again.

The thought twisted something in me. I wondered if he’d made it or if he’d gotten caught up with his brother.

I followed the news for a few weeks after we parted, hearing updates here and there of inmates being found, but never them.

I stepped into the living room, shuffled out of my shoes, and glanced around. The living room glowed softly. I paused, letting the stillness wrap around me like a blanket. It was quiet, too quiet, and I could almost feel the weight of my thoughts pressing against the air.

“Butta?” I called out softly, not expecting an answer.

There wasn’t one, just the tinkling of his collar as he greeted me and the soft hum of the refrigerator from the kitchen acting as a lonely backdrop.

I shrugged off my blazer, laying it over the back of the couch before moving toward the dimly lit corner of the room.

It was time to face whatever this evening held.

After drawing up the energy to take out Butta for a walk and check my mailbox, I headed back inside to start to unwind for the night.

I sorted through the mail, expecting the usual—bills, magazines, and junk.

I paused on an envelope addressed to me with no return address.

My chest tightened slightly when I opened it to see a round-trip plane ticket to Brazil dated for two weeks, along with a note.

Ready for that first date?

-K

My breath hitched before a slow smile crept across my face.

It was the kind of smile that came when you knew you were about to take an international flight to get your back blown out.

Then another feeling set in. Fear? Anxiety?

There was a time when I’d wanted whatever happened between us to be a distant memory, but fate had other plans in store.

What would happen when I went and had to tell him the truth?

The truth was he still lived rent free in my head.

The truth was I couldn’t let him go if I tried.

The truth was good sex wasn’t all we made during the hurricane.

I looked down at the first-class plane ticket before stationing my gaze on the small pudge in my stomach.

“Okay, little one. Looks like we’re going to go see your daddy.”

TO BE CONTINUED…