Page 33 of Edged

“Yes. Finally have a weekend off, and I intend to enjoy it.” There were muffled voices.

“I’ll let you go. Thanks again for the help.” Anthony hung up, feeling a little better about leaving Kaley here. He rolled down his window. No more shouting. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

As he pulled out of the parking lot, a police car pulled in. Anthony relaxed. Logan was as good as his word. Now he only hoped they were a deterrent and not a match to dynamite.

* * * *

Kaley had just finished checking her email when there was a knock at her door. She frowned as she stood. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Quietly, she approached the door and looked out the peephole.

Two officers stood there. Leaving the heavy-duty chain on, she opened the door. “Can I help you?”

“We’re just checking on all the tenants, ma’am. Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine. Has something happened?”

The officer who had the name Reynolds stitched on his uniform shook his head. “No ma’am just a report of loud voices. We’re making sure all the tenants are okay.”

Kaley nodded. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am. Have a good evening.” They walked away.

Kaley shut and locked the door. She wondered who had reported the disturbance to the police and why they took it seriously. In this neighborhood, if someone called, it would usually be a day or more before they came out.

It’s just how things were. Shutting down her laptop, Kaley got ready for bed. She’d read for a little bit then go to sleep. As she lay in bed, she thought about Anthony wanting to paint her.

His work was fantastic. A painting of her would never compare, but if Anthony really wanted to paint her and could work around her schedule, she might let him.

How would he paint her? Her skin heated, thinking about lying naked on the sofa in the sunroom as he painted. Funny how her thinking about being naked in front of him didn’t bother her. After this afternoon, she wanted Anthony. He’d shown her a side of her she never knew was there.

She closed her eyes. Maybe she was wrong to take things this slow. It was time to let herself go. She could be her own woman and let go of her past. And a little flirtation with Anthony would be fun.

Chapter Ten

Kaley smiled when she saw Anthony waiting at the front of her apartment building. He’d been here every night this week with dinner for her.

“You don’t have to keep doing this,” she said, holding her keys in her hand.

“I do.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss over her lips.

She was getting frustrated with him doing that. Light kisses, cupping her elbow, arm touches, and holding hands. She enjoyed that he was a very physical person. But lately, she wanted more than light kisses and caresses.

But she didn’t know how to get him to move faster. She had been the aggressor in her previous relationships; maybe that needed to change. She put her key in the lobby door, another mystery. When she got home on Wednesday, the apartment manager was handing out new keys to the front door that had been replaced.

The manager didn’t look happy about it, but it made Kaley feel a little safer. She opened the door and held it for Anthony. “Something smells good.” She couldn’t quite place the food.

“Lara was kind enough to make some food for us.”

“Doesn’t the café close at three?” Kaley unlocked her apartment door and waited until Anthony made his security check.

“It does. She did me a favor.” He set a couple of bags in the kitchen. “It will keep for a few more minutes. Go shower and change.”

Kaley laughed as she made her way into her bedroom. Anthony had learned her routine and encouraged her to keep it. She took a quick shower and changed into her lounging outfit—a pair of old sweats and a T-shirt. The microwave beeped as she stepped into the living room.

Anthony lifted his head from where he was arranging a variety of food on a platter. “We have beef and chicken empanadas, turkey bagel dogs, and clam chowder.” He gestured to the two bowls sitting next to the platter. “And I didn’t forget dessert.” He grabbed another platter. “For your pleasure, caramel pecan fudge cake, lemon cake, brownies, and cupcakes.”

“Goodness, Anthony.” She looked over everything. “There’s more food than we can eat.”

“If I know you, you skipped lunch.”

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