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This time, it wasn’t even caused by a homicidal neighbor. Although it just might be when Luna found me in her apartment.
I grabbed for the item I’d dropped in my haste to lay down and brought it to my nose. And smiled at the scent of Luna on my face as I closed my eyes and prayed for oblivion.
Six
I climbed the stairs to my apartment. I’d be glad when the renovations were done and the elevator would be in working order. The stairs didn’t bother me for the most part—mostly just on grocery days.
Right now, this sore body would have taken the elevator gladly.
I had not intended to sleep on Ryan’s couch last night. I’d escaped the impromptu roof party to rescue my bestie. This heat wave was doing a number on everyone—including Ryan’s car. It had only made it a few blocks before overheating.
Instead of dragging her back to the chaos of the roof, we’d decided watching This Means War with a bottle of wine was a way better use of our time.
I’d lost count of how many times we’d watched that movie. But it was a comfort and the friendship in the movie matched our own. Funnily enough my new neighbor and his burly best friend reminded me a little of the male counterpoints in the movie.
With more hair.
There was definitely an air of competition between them, layered with an obvious love that few guys liked to show. I was waiting for Lucky to grab Caleb by the face and say, “I love you, man,” much like the guys in the movie.
Maybe I’d get the chance with another party. I had a feeling it would be a recurring thing based on how quickly people arrived. There was little to do in the Cove after eight o’clock. Oh, there were a few restaurants like the Haunt, the Cove, the Mason Jar, and the Spinning Wheel that catered to the younger people in town—but when it came to summer there was nothing quite as good as a rooftop.
Especially when those places required spending a bit more money than the average twenty-something had at hand.
Speaking of…Responsibility weighed on me as I got down the hall. I really shouldn’t have left cleanup to Tabitha and Bess. Normally I enjoyed a bunch of happy people and I even got off on the energy exchange most of the time. However, I’d had a full week of heavy readings and the heat had kicked my ass.
Even now, the hallway was oppressive at nine in the damn morning. I just wanted a shower and to sit under my overhead fan with the air conditioning on blast.
“Come to mama.” I sighed and glanced down the hall. “After I check the roof.”
Dutifully, I took a quick run up he stairs and found nothing amiss. The chairs were set back in their respective quadrants. There was even a new hammock set up that I didn’t recognize. “Bless you, Bess and Tabitha.”
I could have kicked up my heels cartoon style as I got back down to my floor. I dug into my rainbow hemp bag for my keys, ignoring my buzzing phone. Ryan had sent me on my way this morning with thanks and a croissant. The only other person who would contact me right now would be looking for an “emergency” reading.
Because tarot readings were not an emergency no matter what some of my regular clients thought, I ignored my phone. I gripped my doorknob and was about to insert my key when the door opened freely. I frowned.
Had I forgot to lock it last night? I’d been in and out with all the food prep for the small party. Maybe the SOS call from Ryan had me running out without double checking.
I frowned at the sandal in the middle of my floor.
And because I’d been on my own since I was seventeen, I grabbed the retractable baton I ke
pt in the drawer of my kitchen island. I snapped it out and peered around my space.
It didn’t look like anything had been stolen. More like someone had lumbered their way through Hulk-style. A few of my crystal towers were toppled over and a package of incense cones lay crushed on my rug.
I scanned the room as I blindly rummaged into my bag for my phone, prepared to call for reinforcements. Luckily the Sheriff’s station was a short trip from my building. There were advantages to being located on Main Street.
I held the baton facing down and away from me as I quietly crept through the main space. It was an open floorpan that was cut up by my furniture and, of course, the stripper pole I’d installed. Nothing seemed amiss beyond an orphaned sandal. My altar was the same way I left it yesterday. The swing I’d hung with August’s assistance was still, the little crystal sun catcher above it sparkling in the morning sun.
The room didn’t feel wrong per say, but it definitely was full of energy that was not my own. I moved further into the adjoining hall that led to the bathroom and bedroom. The first thing I saw was a man splayed out face first on my bed.
Naked.
Well, mostly naked.
I tightened my fingers on my baton.
Khaki colored shorts were pooled next to the bed and a blue checkered shirt was twisted around his waist as if he’d only gotten it half off before crashing into my bed.
