“Well, I don’t know... If you want me to wait for you, you’ll need to up your game.”
Cruz stood, then knelt by the side of her chair, and she could feel his warmth even though they weren’t touching. Her heart ticked away, with her mind not far behind as he leaned in, their lips barely touching at first. Then, they pressed them together, and his tongue grazed her bottom lip before venturing farther inside. Her body responded in kind as they shared their first kiss. Cassidy didn’t want it to end, but it did.
They each withdrew, eyes locked, smiles across their faces. The Earth didn't shake, the heavens didn't open, and no soundtrack was made, yet Cassidy couldn’t remember a moment that seemed so right—perfect.
“I’ll wait for you,” Cassidy said. “Not forever, but I’m not planning on going anywhere, that’s for sure.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a very, very long time.”
Cruz walked Cassidy and Max back to her apartment, where he said goodbye. Cassidy took Max inside and eased the door closed behind them.
“Max,” she whispered. “I think we found a keeper.”
Max wagged his tail with gusto, knocking the lamp off the side table. She gasped, and caught it just in time, then almost dropped it herself at the sudden ring of the apartment phone. She snatched up the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Cassidy,” Virgie said. “It’s your mother.”
“Oh, hi, Mom. Isn’t it awfully early for you to be calling me?” At this time of the year, Miami was six hours ahead of Hawaii.
“Don’t be silly, dear! It’s never too early to talk with you. What apartment number are you again?”
“Two-ten. Why?”
“Oh, good. Because I’m here for a visit.”
Cassidy dropped the phone right as the doorbell rang.
THE END
By Carlie Lemont
Murder at a Discount
The Cure May Kill You
The Cure May Kill You: A Cassidy Hudson Mystery Page 28