Free Infiltrating Your Heart by Kassy Markham

still waiting for Roderick to contact me about the advice I wanted
from him.
    After I finish washing the dishes, my
smartphone rings. I go to the living room, where I left it.
    “Hello?” I answer. I didn’t look at
the caller ID.
    “Hi, love.”
    “Evelyn! How are you?”
    “Kind of tired, but happy. There’s
been more work coming our way. With the summer coming, lots of people want to
go on cruises.”
    “That’s great. You know, we could
even go on a cruise ourselves.”
    “I’d love it.”
    I know Evelyn would. We could do lots
of fun stuff if we had all the time for ourselves.
    “I’ve been looking at some real
estate ads.”
    “Me, too. There’s this house I like.
It’s located right by the beach, west of the city.”
    “A house on the beach? That would be
awesome. We could have ice cream on the porch.”
    “Or make sandcastles. I’ve always
wanted to live by the beach. My parents’ house…well, you know where it is. It’s
fabulous, but not quite my type.”
    “I know. Besides, living by the beach
would give us a respite from the busy streets.”
    “That, too.”
    “You could e-mail me the links to any
houses you like. Then we’ll decide when to go see them together.”
    “I’d rather we meet to review the
houses we find,” Evelyn replies. “Are you busy this week?”
    “Sort of. But we can meet tomorrow
afternoon. Or next Thursday. Just call me.”
    “Okay. And, baby?”
    “Yes?” I ask, waiting.
    “I love you.”
    The corners of my lips rise up.
    “I love you too, Evelyn.”
    “Have a good day. I need to finish my
work.”
    “Take care.”
    “Bye,” Evelyn replies. She hangs up. I put
my phone in my pocket.
    ~*~
Mercedes
    In the afternoon, I eagerly drive
back to my apartment. With the end of the semester approaching, instructors are
starting to give out more homework. The finals are also imminent. I will be
busy, at least for the next month or so. I can’t wait for graduation.
    Once I’m at my place, I walk to the
kitchen. I’m starving, so I check the fridge. There’s Alfredo pasta and chicken
breast leftovers that I made yesterday. I fix myself a plate and put it in the
oven.
    Tonight, I have work again. I sort of
wish I were with Gabriel instead. Maybe I have to up my game. I’m sure he—or
Patrick, for that matter—wouldn’t mind.
    My client said that he would meet me
outside a restaurant. I know where it is. I’ve passed through it a few times
while driving to school. The only thing he asked of me is that we meet at seven.
I’m rarely requested that early. This client booked me for three hours. I
wonder what he wants me for.
    I eat my lunch and then dress up. It
all takes me a little over an hour. Once I’m ready, I go down to get my car. I
see Clint on my way to the garage.
    I find parking once I get to the
restaurant. Locking my car, I start walking. There are a bunch of people
walking around. I make my way to the entrance of the restaurant. I see that
there are outdoor tables.
    Three of the five tables are occupied.
I look at the one where there’s only one person sitting. He’s a man, wearing a
black suit jacket and dark gray pants. His back is to me. When I get closer, I
see he’s reading a book.
    I walk in front of the man, wanting
to see if he recognizes me. I don’t want to take the chance that he’s not my
client, even though it appears he is. His eyes look up at me.
    “Scarlet Quinn?” he asks.
    “That’s me.”
    The man stands up. He offers his
hand, and I shake it. His grip is strong.
    “You’re hotter in person than you
look in photos.”
    “Thanks,” I say. I must admit I
couldn’t say the same about him. He appears to be in his late thirties, but is just
okay-looking. I could have had worse.
    The man gives me my payment.
    “Now that you’re here, we can leave.
If you don’t mind, that is. Are you hungry?”
    “No,” I reply. It’s the truth. I
never meet a client if I’m starving. I learned that the hard way. Now, I eat a
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