AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Serge leaned forward to look at the little girl. “If you’d eaten even one more tater tot, you would have turned into one.”
Tiffany’s giggles spread to the rest of the group.
Andrea pushed to her feet. “That was delicious, gentlemen. Thank you very much.”
Troy wrapped his long, warm fingers around her wrist. “What are you doing?”
Andrea gave him a puzzled smile. “Clearing the table.”
Troy stood, taking her dishes from her and adding them to his own. “Serge and I will take care of that. Dinner’s our responsibility today.”
Faith gave the two men a hopeful look. “Only for today?”
Serge pushed away from the table. “I’m afraid so.”
Andrea joined her roommates in the living room while Troy and Serge
cleared the table and cleaned the dishes. Faith and Andrea took their customary seat on the sofa. Constance settled Tiffany beside her on the love seat.
Constance glanced toward the kitchen before leaning forward. She lowered her voice. “What do you think this means? I’ve never had wealthy men cook me a meal much less clean up afterward.” She frowned. “Actually, I’ve never had any man cook me a meal or clean up after.”
Faith crossed her legs. “It means either we’ve died and gone to heaven or we’re being punked and any minute Ashton Kutcher is going to jump out of a closet with a camera.”
Andrea chuckled. “I don’t know what it means, but I’m enjoying it.”
It didn’t take long for the men to complete their kitchen duty. But when they rejoined Andrea and her roommates, their serious expressions drained the joy from the room.
Andrea tensed. “What’s wrong?”
Troy glanced at Serge before answering. “Serge needs to leave now. He’s got to get some rest for game four tomorrow. But he and I discussed it, and I’d like to stay over in case Wade comes back tonight.”
Faith shifted on the sofa to face the two men. “Thank you for offering, but we can take care of ourselves.”
Andrea stood. “Troy, that’s very generous of you. But we’ll be fine. If Wade returns, we’ll call the police.”
Serge looked at Constance. “You handled Wade very well this evening. But this isn’t about you. It’s about us.” The Monarchs player gestured between himself and Troy. “We’re worried about all of you.”
Constance spread her arms. “You don’t need to be. There are three of us.” She smiled at her roommates. “I’m certain I’ll be OK because I’m not alone anymore.”
Troy inclined his head. “Make that four. I’ll go home to get an overnight bag, then I’ll come back and sleep on the couch.”
Andrea, Faith, and Constance exchanged horrified looks. Andrea touched the cushion beneath her. “This sofa’s not that comfortable.”
Troy winked at her. “One night won’t kill me.”
She couldn’t say the same. Just thinking of him sleeping outside her bedroom door made her stomach muscles dance. It was going to be a long night.
15
“We need to talk.” Troy’s eyes were as hard as his tone.
Andrea’s smile of welcome wavered, then disappeared as they stood in the doorway of her apartment Sunday morning. Where was the man who’d shared waffles with her this morning? What happened to the lover who’d kissed her good-bye before leaving her apartment?
Andrea noticed the printouts gripped in Troy’s hand. “Sure. Come in.”
She turned to lead him through her apartment. Along the way, he exchanged much more pleasant greetings with Faith, Constance, and Tiffany. Andrea pushed open the window and climbed onto the fire escape.
She waited for Troy to join her before closing the window partway. “What’s wrong—”
