“You didn’t.” Cecilia waves her hand, sending our note flying off the counter. She watches it flutter to the floor.
So do I.
Sliding to the edge of my booth, I notice Ceci motion for me to stop.
She addresses Ofelia. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I should probably be thanking you for helping me do what I’d been avoiding. Our relationship ended a long time ago.”
“Thanks for not hating me.”
“I don’t blame you, Ofel—What’s your name?”
“You don’t want to be my friend.” Ofelia’s voice is laced with pain.
I feel for her. So young to be wrapped up in shit like this. Not even out of her teens if I had to guess. All the more reason we need to try to help her.
Ceci’s sweet and fun, not used to the distance we have to keep in law enforcement. I cough to draw her attention and let my finger casually point at the fallen paper.
“Okay, I won’t pry.” Ceci walks around the counter, picks up the folded paper, wipes it on her pants and sits on the stool beside Ofelia.
She lowers her voice, and I have to strain to hear. “I know the guy in the booth. He’s not hitting on you. We’re worried you might be in trouble.”
Ofelia flinches.
Ceci pauses then hurries to spell out the rest. “This paper has an offer on it. A way out. Please consider it.”
Ceci reaches out like she’s going to hug Ofelia. I’m poised to create a distraction, maybe toss a fork onto the floor. At the last second, Ceci pulls herself away. Near miss.
“Order up, Ceci,” the cook calls out.
Behind Ofelia’s back, Ceci shrugs at me.
I mouth, “It’s okay.”
She grabs the prepared plate and carries it to Ofelia.
“Can I get a to-go box, please?”
“You don’t have to leave. My other customers would love it if I gave them attention too.”
“Thanks, but I should go.”
Chapter 15
Cecilia
Walking to the park for my No Panties Day celebration, I breathe in the warm summer air. Everything’s going to be okay.
I hope.
Bev didn’t know it, but I didn’t wear panties to work this morning—something I thought was going to be a playfully dangerous move since Blake was going to be there. But the threat ofrealdanger was enough to kill the sexual tension.
I’m not sure I’m cut out to be involved with men who put themselves in danger.
Ugh! Danger, danger, danger. I hate that word.
I also hate that Ofelia wouldn’t tell me her real name, that she and Lennox and Blake could be squaring off with a real bad guyat this very moment, and that I have no idea if she read the note or just took it to keep me from making a scene and chasing her down to force her eyeballs onto it.
“Ceci!” Trena is running toward me, her smile and outstretched arms easing a tiny bit of my worries.
