Weston called to say that Curtis had phoned him. Brian told the lawyer about his plan to lease the café and hardware store, declaring that things wou...d improve soon.And things did change. Two dealers wanted to give up their leases for space in the flea market. They said they had nothing to sell. Brian assured them that new products were on the way. That was not true, but he eventually convinced a broker to find items in distress.Somehow, he made it through the month, coming up with payments to. “What time is it?” I asked. Until he mentioned them, I hadn’t really missed them.“Three o’clock.”“They’re usually out here doing routine checks and making a nuisance of themselves.” I wandered over to one of their bedroom doors, bouncing little Lily in my arms. “Ah. There’s a note.” Jack came over and took the baby while I peeled the note off the door. “It says, ‘We’ve gone home for the holiday. You’ll be fine. In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1.’ Well, Jack, I’d say we’ve gone down in. Her hand leant on the tiles for support turning the stream of water back on. The bottle reappeared over the top of her cubicle door.“Do you want it?” His voice was low, strumming her insides.She unlocked the door. Her voice barely more than a whisper, “Yes,” she stepped back as if she was afraid the door would burn her.Ethan gently opened the door revealing Maisie under the water like the best shampoo ad he’d ever seen. Wet and shiny, her body was littered with soaps suds as they eased their. It was like she’d walked face first into a brick wall. He did not just tell her what she did or didn’t do and then ask her on a date. ‘I think I heard you wrong.’ Velvet snarled. Harold took a half step back his eyes briefly diverting to the tires of a nearby car before traveling up her body and back to her eyes. ‘No, I think heard me.’ His knuckles went tight around the bag’s strap to keep his hands from trembling. ‘I want to take you on a date.’ Velvet glided forward like a great serpent.