Page 556 of One More Kiss

Andrea

Giddy excitement roiledin my stomach as I pulled to a stop in the parking space outside of Mick's apartment. He had no idea that I was coming today, because I wanted to surprise him. I grabbed the bag of Chinese takeout from the passenger seat, then locked the car and headed to apartment 103.

This was my first time coming to Mick’s apartment, and I glanced around curiously. He always insisted on coming to my place, and I could only figure he didn’t want me to see where he lived. Not because he didn’t want me around, but because he was ashamed of his current circumstances. I’d tried on more than one occasion to tell him that it didn’t matter to me, but he brushed it off. He still labeled himself a criminal, and I had a feeling it would take him a long time to shed the insecurities of his past. I wished he could see the man I knew he was—the loyal, trustworthy, amazing man I was rapidly falling in love with.

Nerves battered at my belly, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. Steeling my spine, I lifted my hand and knocked rapidly on the steel door. The lights were on inside, and through the frosted glass window I watched a figure rise from the couch and move toward the door.

My heart slammed against my rib cage, and every muscle tensed as I heard the lock flipped and its casing. But when the door swung inward, it wasn't Mick standing on the other side. Disbelief rooted my feet to the floor as I stared up at the man in front of me. “Tito?”

Blaze’s friend looked equally surprised to see me. “Andrea. Long time no see.”

The floor seemed to shift beneath my feet. “What are you doing here?”

“My buddy lives here.”

Mick knew this idiot? My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“What brings you by?” Tito's brow drew together. “Heard your man is still serving.”

Yeah, after you rolled on him.Not that I blamed Tito. Blaze had made his fair share of other stupid mistakes. The burglary was just the final straw before getting caught for good. “He's not my man,” I ground out.

Tito smirked. “You and Mick together now?”

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of answering. “Where is Mick?”

“In the shower.” Tito stepped aside. “Wanna come in and wait?”

My gaze darted past him to the coffee table, and everything inside me stilled. There was no mistaking the bags of weed and paraphernalia scattered over the wooden surface. “What the hell is that?”

“Tito, who—?” Mick’s question immediately cut off when he saw me standing in the doorway. He was clad only in a towel, his hair still shimmering with moisture, but a smile lifted the corners of his lips when he saw me. “Hey, beautiful. What are you doing here?”

I glanced once more at the drugs sitting on the coffee table just a few feet away, then leveled him with a glare. How could he be so stupid? “I can't believe you.”

His eyes widened in shock as he moved toward me. “What are you talking about?”

“Don't give me that,” I snapped, a red haze of fury bleeding into my vision. “You're so full of shit.”

“Andrea, wait! What are you—?”

I fell back a step, unable to be this close to him. “You lied to me!”

“I don't know what you're talking about. Babe, please,” he pleaded. “Talk to me.”

I threw the bag of Chinese food on the doormat and took a step backward. “I can't do this right now.”

I had to get out of there. I couldn't believe it. Tears blurred my vision as I whirled around and ran for my car. It took me two tries to get the key in the ignition before I finally managed to crank it and shift into gear. I headed toward my mom’s, swiping angrily at the tears that refused to slow.

For the next thirty minutes, I drove in a fog, my emotions ping ponging from anger to sadness, then back again. Over and over I cursed myself for falling so hard and fast. It was supposed to be different this time. He was supposed to be different.

Maybe he is, a tiny voice spoke up during a moment of clarity. Maybe he was telling the truth. I viewed the debacle in retrospect, analyzing Mick's reaction to my outburst. He seemed to have no idea what I was talking about. Hell, maybe he didn't. Maybe the drugs were Tito's, though I couldn’t begin to imagine why the hell he was there. Not for any good reason, I knew that. I still couldn't believe they knew each other. Mick didn't seem like the sort who would hang out in that crowd. Maybe once upon a time, but now...

Shit. Maybe he really was being honest. Part of me wanted to turn around, go back and confront him, demand he tell me everything. But if he was lying about it... Damn it. My mind was a mess of emotions that I couldn't begin to sort out right now. I needed some time and space to figure everything out.

I pulled into my mother’s driveway and cut the engine, then dragged myself to the front door. My mom threw a surprised look my way when I stepped into the house. Her expression immediately morphed into concern when she saw my face. Smart woman that she was, she didn't say a word, just waved me inside.

Maddie sat in the living room watching TV, and her head swiveled my way, confusion evident. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

“Change of plans.” I forced a smile. “Mick wasn't feeling well, so I decided to come hang out with you guys instead.”

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