Page 555 of One More Kiss

Mick

Tossing my book aside,I rose and moved toward the door. Surprise rooted me to the floor when I found a familiar dark-haired man standing on the other side. I hesitated before swinging the door open. “Tito?”

“Hey, man.” His head swiveled my way, a huge grin spread over his mouth. “How you been?”

“Good.” I couldn't begin to imagine why he was here. Tito hadn’t visited once during my stint in jail. Except for a brief and fairly impersonal apology after the incident on Halloween, I hadn't heard a single peep from him. Aside from my cousin, he was the first person I'd seen from my old life since my release, and it was kind of nice to see a familiar face.

I stepped back and held the door wide, allowing him to enter. “Come on in.”

Tito came in and took a look around before seating himself in the middle of the couch I had just vacated. “Not bad.”

I held back a snort. It was terrible, but it was all I could afford at the moment. I lifted one shoulder and settled my hip on the arm of the couch. “So what's going on with you? Wife, kids?”

Tito laughed. “Hell, no. Definitely no wife, no kids that I know of. I'm sure the bitches would've come looking for money if that were the case.”

My shoulder blades itched as I regarded the man I had once considered my best friend. “You still running with Ramon?”

“Nah. He got locked up a couple years back for dealing.”

I was honestly kind of surprised he was even still alive. “What about you?”

“Managed to avoid it so far.” He chuckled. “Heard it sucks.”

“Yeah, I wouldn't recommend it.”

“I bet. You seen anyone else around town?”

I shook my head. “I pretty much keep to myself. Don't need that drama.”

“You haven't missed much. Except Lottie.” He made a face. “Definitely didn't turn out the way I expected. Dodged a bullet with that one.”

I lifted a brow. “Why?”

“Has three kids now I think, gained a ton of weight. Don't look nothing like she used to.”

That same itchy feeling started back up in my shoulders, and I pushed to my feet. People changed—and not always for the better. “I've got to work in the morning. But it was good seeing you.”

Tito placed his palms on his thighs and stared up at me. “Listen, man, I'm not gonna lie. I need a favor.”

My entire body tensed. “Yeah? What's that?”

“Kinda need a place to crash for a while. Just a night or two,” he quickly added when he saw my expression.

I shook my head. “According to my parole officer, I'm really not supposed to have anyone here since I just got released.” It was a partial truth. I wasn't allowed to interact with other ex-cons, but Tito had never been convicted.

“Just one night,” he said.

Damn it. I’d never been good at saying no. That was precisely what the hell had gotten me in trouble in the first place. “Sorry, man. I really would let you stay, but I can’t go back.”

His lips pressed into a firm line, but he nodded. “It’s cool, man, I get it.” He shoved to his feet then strode toward the door. “I guess I’ll see ya ’round.”

“Sure.”

He opened the door then stepped out, and the words tumbled out before I could stop them. “Stop by tomorrow. We can hang out awhile.”

“Sure.” He grinned and threw me a mock salute. “See ya tomorrow.”

I closed up behind him, wondering not for the first time if I was doing the right thing.

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