Shoe Strings

just risen above the trees that lorded over her historic
complex and he could see joggers heading to the park to get in a few miles
before work.   He knew why she loved
this place, with its long, full windows and sills deep enough to perch on,
views of the park and the narrow street below.   From the quirky dancing frog salt and
pepper shakers to the gecko towel holder, she’d made the space her own.  
    There wasn’t anything whimsical about his home in the woods.   He loved it, had brought it to life with
stain, paint, and furniture, but it lacked that special touch she brought to
her condo.   What it lacked was her.   Last night had been like a dream.   Holding her, watching her move in the
candlelight, hearing his name come from her lips as she cried out.   There was no way in hell he could walk
away from her.
    He’d meant to talk to her last night, but when she’d walked
out of the bathroom in that see-through nothing, his mind had blanked and he
only saw her and the flicker of candlelight in her impossibly dark eyes.   He didn’t have a clue how she felt about
him and they’d never really gotten into why she left without a word.   For a moment, sitting in the DEA
conference room, he thought he’d seen the answer in her eyes.   But in the light of day he couldn’t be
sure.   The ring tucked in his pants
felt like a ticking time bomb.
    She walked out of the bedroom, her hair curling around her
face and her eyes puffy from sleep, the silky nightgown he’d peeled off her
last night rumpled.   “I could get
used to waking up to freshly brewed coffee.”   She wrapped her arms around him and held
tight.   “And you.   Good morning.”
    “Sleep well?”   He
nibbled on her ear.
    “For what little we did, yes, very well.”
    He filled her mug, added the sugar and milk before handing
it to her.   She watched him as she
sipped, a faint smile on her lips.   “I like seeing you in my kitchen.”   She set the mug down and ran her palms up his bare chest.
    She’d given him the perfect segue and just when he opened
his mouth to broach the subject of their relationship, someone gave a brisk
knock on the door.
    “That’s my neighbor,” she explained.   “He stops by sometimes for breakfast.”
    “You’re for breakfast,” Jesse said as he moved toward the
door.   “And I’m not sharing.   Don’t you dare put your clothes on.”
    He opened the door, prepared to scare off some lonely old
man when Sophie’s eyes widened at seeing him.   Her initial look of shock faded into a
brilliant smile.   “Well, we meet
again.”   She pushed past him into
the condo.  
    Angelita stood in the kitchen, mug in hand, the strap of her
teddy draped over one shoulder.   He
hadn’t even bothered to button his jeans and, between her rumpled appearance
and his half-naked body, he was shocked Sophie didn’t seem embarrassed by what
she’d walked in on.   He went to
offer her some coffee when he saw she’d already helped herself to a glass of
milk.  
    “So,” she said with a wicked glint in her eye.   “I’m sorry for barging in here like
this, but I had to know what was going on—with the business,” she added
when Angelita raised her brows at her.  
    “My father’s in jail,” Angelita explained as Sophie settled
onto the couch.   Jesse picked up his
t-shirt and whipped it over his head.   He sat on the wide sill of the den window and watched the two women
discuss their company’s future.   “I’ve already shredded the contract.”
    “Hallelujah.”   She looked at Jesse.   “I had
a good feeling after you left the store yesterday that you’d see to it we’d be
okay.”
    “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I had very little
to do with Angelita’s father going to jail.”
    She turned back to Angelita.   “How do you feel?”
    “Fine.   I know
that sounds awful, but after what he threatened, on top of everything else he’s
done…I don’t really care that he’s going to prison.   He certainly didn’t care about putting
us in jeopardy of going to jail.”
    She patted Angelita’s knee and a look passed between them
that confirmed what Angelita had already said; Sophie was her family.   Another obstacle to her leaving.
    Angelita stood up and stretched.   The silky material rose to the tops of
her thighs when she lifted her hands above her head and Jesse had to work hard
at disguising his reaction.   Sophie
stood up gingerly.   “I’ll get out of
your