From the time I’d left Joseph’s hotel, caught a bus to my apartment, showered then run the six blocks to the bookstore, I hadn’t stopped to catch a breath. For some reason, Sundays tended to be one of the busiest days in the bookstore, and this Sunday was no exception. And of course, my assistant, Alice, called in sick, like she always did on Sundays. “Liar,” I told her. “You’re hung over. I can hear the pain in your head from here.” “Sorry,” she groaned. “Ramon and I went to a party. Is Jesse there?” “He’s on his way. He tried to pull that shit too, but I told him I’d fire his ass if he didn’t show.” “Sorry,” she whined again. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Once Jesse arrived, all pissed off that I’d forced him to come in, I took a short coffee break in the back room. It gave me time to think about the wonderful night I’d spent with Joseph. God, but he was great. What a hunk—and so nice…pity about his eyes. I shivered as I considered how awful it would have been if I’d actually opened the drapes and blinded him.
