Got the Life (A Nicki Sosebee Novel) by Jade C. Jamison Read Free Book Online Page A

face.  Sean looked up from the bike.  “You know that guy?”
    Nicki shrugged her shoulders and walked closer.  “Yeah.”
    Sean squatted, looking at the bike up close.  “How ’d you meet him?”
    “At Napoli .”
    “How long have you known him?”
    Nicki swallowed.  Why the third degree?  “Since last night.”  Sean shook his head and jotted something on his pad.  Time for Nicki to change the subject.   She didn’t feel like getting grilled.   “So…get this.  I wait down at the police station for almost an hour this morning until this fucking detective decides to grace me with his presence.  Then, when he finally talks to me, he tells me he can’t tell me a damn thing!”
    Sean looked up at her.  “Don’t look at me.  You know how I feel about cops.”
    Nicki nodded.  “So he told me I had to talk to the DA to get more info.  He did tell me, at least, that Edwards is out on bail.  So I went to the DA’s office.  T hey didn’t make me sit around, but they did say I have to talk to the Assistant DA Paul Sanders, and he can’t see me until tomorrow.  So, maybe a tiny article today that he’s out on bail, but maybe I’ll have more stuff tomorrow—something for a big story.”
    “I hope so.”  Sean was distracted.  Fine.   Nicki knew better—he had a bike in front of him that needed his full adoration and attention.  Nicki was no competition.
    “Well, I’m going to see if Neal wants me to write something up on today or not.  See you later.”
    Sean grunted something but was really into the bike.   Jesus, he could at least say goodbye.   What t he fuck was his problem?  Not hers, and she started to walk back toward the front of the shop.  Carlos was just coming in and this time he grabbed her about t he waist.  He was quiet .  “So can I call you later and let you know what’s going on?”
    She smiled.  “You better.”   Carlos kissed her, a deep, toe-curling kiss, holding her in that tight embrace he’d introduced to her last night.
    “Until then, mi dulzura .”

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    LO AND BEHOLD , Nicki did get that call.   She was at Napoli , and he called after five.  So the miracle worker Sean wasn’t able to fix Carlos’s bike in one day’s time?  Nicki couldn’t muster up any tears about that.  “But I do have some bad news, mi dulzura. ”
    “What’s that?”
    “I checked out of my hotel room this morning.  I’m staying with some generous friends.  But it’s a bit… crowded here.  I can get another room if you’d like , but I can assure you that you don’t want to come over here .”   His voice sounded guttural.  “I want you all to myself.”
    God, he gave her shivers.  “I have my own place.”  Precisely why she’d gotten rid of roommates four years ago.  Apartment walls were thin, especially in your own apartment.  She didn’t like hearing her roommates having the time of their lives when she was alone, and she didn’t like the idea of them overhearing when she told a guy at the top of her lungs to fuck her like there was no tomorrow .  Having her own place was pure freedom and worth every penny of the two extra jobs.  “Why don’t you meet me there after work?”
    He agreed—he did have access to a vehicle, thanks to his friends—and she gave him the address.  He would be there around eleven and sit tight until she arrived.  Luckily, she had Deanna on the floor tonight, and Deanna was a great waitress.  She wasn’t much on teamwork, but she always managed to pull her own weight.  Brian was there too, but his lameness was counterbalanced by Deanna.  And, it turned out, he wasn’t half-bad tonight anyway.   So, in spite of how busy they were, Nicki was able to leave a few minutes before eleven.
    She didn’t see Carlos leaning against the black truck in front of the building.  Nicki didn’t pay much attention to the vehicles in front of the building anyway, because she had new neighbors every few months,