Page 40 of Mitch

She turned, her eyes roving over his body in a slow appraisal, mourning the fact he’d donned a shirt. Her eyes flashed back to his face as she took in the split lip. She was moving towards him before she knew it. “Your lip?” Autumn touched the swollen lip with her fingertips.

His hand grasped her wrist, and she saw the reflected desire in his eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“Did you win?”

Mitch shook his head. “Not this time. I got distracted by a beautiful woman, then all I could think about was her.” His grin told her he wasn’t mad by it.

Maggie leaned out of her arms towards Mitch, who took her but held her away from his body as he dropped a kiss on her head. “I’m all sweaty, gorgeous.”

Maggie didn’t care and babbled at him, making them both laugh.

“Are you excited about your evening?”

Autumn nodded. “I am, but it will seem strange you being across the hall instead of on my sofa.”

Mitch chuckled. “Believe me, if I were there for a girl’s night, I’d be shown the door in short order. Plus, I have to go get my hair cut at the barber’s shop later.” He rubbed a hand over his hair that didn’t look like it needed a cut to her.

“Who does it? I need to find a hairdresser who knows how to do box braids and soon. Before the growth gets in a mess.”

“A guy called Sam on Bridge Street has a barber’s shop. His wife does braids and weaves.”

Autumn pursed her lip. “Do you think she could fit me in tomorrow?”

“I’ll find out, but I’m sure they can. Do you need me to watch Maggie while you have it done?”

“Would you?”

“Of course, although you’ll need someone to stay with you at the salon. I won’t have you there alone.”

“Do you think Bebe or Aubrey would?” Aubrey was police and she knew Bebe was in security although she was still a little unsure what she did. Having worked for Eidolon for only a week, she’d quickly realised that all was not as it seemed at Zenobi’s Art Gallery.

“Ask them tonight.”

Autumn looked at her watch, suddenly realising the time. “Oh shit, I need to go.”

Mitch handed Maggie back to her. “Let me take a real quick shower, and we’ll head home.”

Autumn’s heart skipped as he used the word home. Such a simple word and yet one she hadn’t felt for a long time.

* * *

Bebe laidaround ten outfits on hangers over the back of Autumn’s couch. “So I’ve brought over a few options as I know you probably don’t have a huge amount of party dresses.”

She was right, shopping and clothes had ceased to be meaningful the moment she’d seen her husband murdered. “That’s so kind of you.”

Bebe waved a hand. “I have too many clothes. I think we’re about the same size and I brought some pumps too. You’re a size six, right?”

Autumn nodded as she moved to let Aubrey in, who hugged and kissed her as if she were her long lost sister.

“I have wine.” She shook the bottle lightly, and Autumn grinned, her shoulders relaxing. Taking the wine, she opened it and poured three glasses as Aubrey shucked her denim jacket. “Is Maggie asleep?”

Autumn shook her head. “No, Mitch took her over to his apartment for an hour so I could tidy up and make us some nibbles.”

Aubrey’s face softened. “That’s so sweet.”

“He’s amazing with her,” Autumn agreed as she handed them each a glass.

“So, it’s going well then?” Bebe asked with a cheeky wiggle of her eyebrows.