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Vivian threw open the door. “Why did you ring the bell?”
Andrew and I looked at one another. “Um, because that’s what we’re supposed to do,” he guessed.
Vivian grunted. “Not here. Come on in.”
We followed her to the open kitchen, living, and dining room area. Andrew and I had helped Baker and his brother move in recently, but the apartment still wowed me.
Baker rushed over. “You’re here,” she breathed in relief. “Sonya’s eaten half of the food.”
“I’m not all that hungry,” I teased.
“I was hoping you’d brought something with you.”
“Like this?” Andrew held up two large containers, one with mini-quiches and the other with mini-cakes.
“You’re a lifesaver.” She snatched the containers and barreled over toward the island.
Holt was immediately by her side, helping her unpack the boxes.
Andrew and I exchanged a look. Maybe these two made better roommates than we thought.
“Those are for ourguests.”
“There’s enough for everybody,” he argued.
“Your job is to keep her away from this.” She pointed accusingly at Sonya.
“Shouldn’t that fall on her husband?”
“Oh, hell no,” Drew said, taking a swig of his beer. “I can’t control her.” He winked at Sonya. “Except in the bedroom.”
“Mr. Drew. Cuss jar.” Holly’s son Gabriel held out his tiny hands.
Drew looked contrite and pulled out his wallet. “What are you gonna do with all this money?” He placed a bill in his upturned palms. “At the rate you’re going with this bunch, you’ll be a millionaire by the time you’re six.”
The boy’s expression brightened. “You think so?”
“Between your aunt Mulaney and me, there’s no doubt.”
“We can help a lot of people. With the drugs.”
Holly’s husband Carlos choked on the food he’d just put in his mouth.
“With the drugs?” Drew asked.
“Yeah. To get off them. Maybe Uncle Jason.” He flashed a hopeful smile at his mother.
“Oh, baby,” she said, leaning into Carlos.
“That’s an amazing idea,” Muriella said, and Gabriel beamed.
“We have a program at Paths, but we could always do better,” Mrs. Quinn said.
Cricket shrank back into a corner near the refrigerator. She was so good at making herself invisible that I hadn’t even noticed her. Our eyes briefly met, but she looked away quickly.
“Be right back,” I said into Andrew’s ear.
Three lines creased his forehead. I kissed his jaw, and his worry eased.
