Page 29 of Double

Tinsley gave it a very weak punch that would’ve been comical if it wasn’t so concerning.

“Oh, no,” Charity said with a shake of her head. “You really can’t fight at all, huh?”

“I don’t know.” Tinsley hit it again the tiniest bit harder, though she seemed to be using all of her power. “Umph!”

Both Charity and I lost the fight of holding back our laughter.

“I’ve never had to try,” she admitted.

“I think she should start class next week.” Charity looked at me.

I gave a slight nod. “Yeah, we’ll get something on the books for her.”

After we toured the facility, Charity led us back to the lobby. She gave both of us a tight hug. “I like her for you, Double.”

Shit, I liked her for me, too. But there was the fact that we were only together because her back was against the wall. When the threat of the Iredian official no longer existed, would she look at all of her options and still choose life with me?

11

Meeting the Family

Tinsley

We left the martial arts studio and only had to round the corner and get past the parking lot to be at the next family business.

“Wilde Waters Skin Clinic,” I read the name of the business from the sign. “Ooh, that sounds fancy. Is it a spa?”

“Nah, it’s actually a clinic. Journey’s a dermatologist, her best friend is a chemist, and my cousin, Royalty, is an esthetician. They decided to go into business together.” Double rang the bell. When we were buzzed in, he held the door open for me. I stepped inside and stopped walking immediately. The space was absolutely gorgeous with its caramel, cream, and chocolate décor. The soles of my boots sank into the plush area rug while my eyes took in the soft ambient lighting, the sumptuous textiles, and all the decadent textures. The smell, though. The smell was glorious—the perfect balance of lavender and bergamot. I inhaled deeply because I’d always loved the smell of bergamot.

Double moved past me, took my hand, and pulled me toward the oversized reception desk. A young lady dressed to the nines sat behind the desk.

“What’s up, Treasure?” he said to the young lady.

She looked up, and her almond-shaped eyes met his. It was immediately obvious that the young lady had Down syndrome. “Hey, Double.” She gave him a pretty smile.

I noticed that while her words weren’t perfect, I could understand her perfectly. I was awed because, in my country, those with chromosomal, cognitive, or behavior issues would never be seated front-and-center at a successful business. Since she was the only person in the lobby besides us, I could only presume that she was the one who greeted every client.

She craned her neck to see around Double. “Good morning. Welcome to Wilde Waters Skin Clinic. Do you have an appointment?”

Before I could speak, Double chimed in. “I got married about a week ago, T Baby. Nobody told you?”

She seemed to think about it. “No. This is your wife?”

“This is my wife,” he told her with a head nod. “This is Tinsley. Tinsley, this is my baby cousin, Treasure.”

“I’m not a baby.”

“Oh, you’re right,” he quickly corrected himself. “Treasure isn’t a baby. She’s just the youngest cousin.”

I smiled at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Treasure.”

“Hey, Cuzzo!” A short, young woman wearing burgundy scrubs came from somewhere in the back of the clinic and threw herself into Double’s arms. “Hey. Got Journey’s text that you were bringing your wife by so we could meet her.”

“Nobody told me.” Treasure pouted.

The other woman looked down at her with compassion before scooping her up into a hug. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you. Did you get to meet her?”

Treasure grinned. “Yes. Her name is Tinsy.”