Free What's Done in Darkness by Kayla Perrin Page B

fine.”
    â€œWhere are you going?” I asked.
    She just gave me a little smile, then headed toward the front of the café, where Christian was waiting. When she met up with him, they immediately linked hands and walked through the door.
    They were an enigma. One minute so romantic, as if they couldn’t bear to be apart. The next, fighting intensely.
    I guessed some couples got off on that kind of drama.
    *   *   *
    Katrina and Christian returned to the shop around five, but a quick glance to see that all was running smoothly was all that Katrina gave it before she and Christian went upstairs. After six, they both came back down, wearing different clothes. As Katrina walked by me, I could smell the whiff of freshness. She’d showered.
    She and Christian went into the kitchen, and Alexis sidled up to me behind the front counter. When I looked at her, I saw that her lips were twisted in a lopsided grin. “I swear, those two screw like bunnies.”
    And they fight like cats and dogs, was the thought that popped into my mind, but I didn’t say it. In the shop at least, Katrina and Christian seemed to be harmonious.
    â€œI still don’t get it,” I said. “The two of them together. And it’s not just that they seem mismatched physically. Christian started asking me to play chess with him because Katrina never will. I barely understand the game, but I felt sorry for him so tried playing with him a couple of times because Katrina dismisses him completely. I never see them sit down and watch a show together. In fact, Katrina seems annoyed when Christian watches SpongeBob and South Park . She’s only interested in Law and Order and reality crime shows.”
    â€œNot to mention that the only time she runs is when she’s heading into a store to go shopping,” Alexis said. “Every morning, like clockwork, I see Christian jogging by my house. I find it so hard to believe they connected during a marathon.”
    I shrugged. “Sounds like they connected because of loss. He lost his brother; she lost her parents.”
    â€œPerhaps. I also know that the day after he arrived, she went on a shopping spree.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œShe bought some expensive shoes and clothes, a new laptop, and that big TV in the corner of the café, as well as those two armchairs in that corner nook.” Alexis angled her head and gave me a curious look.
    â€œYou think she’s using him for his money?” I asked.
    â€œHey, who am I to judge? Obviously, Christian’s getting something out of the relationship or he wouldn’t be here.”
    He sure was. A ton of sex. But I wondered if Alexis would have a different opinion if she knew how much they fought.
    â€œBut if she is using him, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Alexis said. “Christian Alexander Begley,” she went on, feigning a British accent. “He’s loaded.”
    â€œHow do you know that?” I asked.
    â€œI Googled him.”
    I took my phone out of my apron pocket. “Christian Alexander Begley?” I asked. “ L-e-y or l-y ?”
    â€œ L-e-y, ” Alexis said.
    I typed his name into Google. As results were popping up, I heard Alexis say, “Oh, sorry. Did you want to order something?”
    I looked up and saw Gordon, a guy who had been a regular since I’d started working at the café, was standing on the other side of the counter. “I did, yes,” he said.
    I slipped the phone back into my pocket. “Sorry, Gordon. Did you want another cup of coffee?”
    â€œAt the risk of giving myself a heart attack, yes.” He smiled warmly. “And I was looking at these treats.”
    â€œDid you want another Colombian coffee?” I asked. “Or perhaps a lighter brew?”
    When I reached for a new mug, Gordon said, “Actually, let me just get my mug from the table.”
    I grabbed a menu and walked around from