Free Street Safe by W. Lynn Chantale Page B

was still with your sister? Is that why you’re all bent out of shape?”
    Na’arah hung her head. “No. Street saw you and thought it was me.”
    “Damn. I thought that’s why he was upset. No wonder he won’t serve me a drink.” He shook his head. “Hey. I’ll give him a call and smooth things over.”
    Na’arah shrugged. Auggie disappeared into the back room as the chime trilled over the main entrance. She stifled a groan. Her patience was being tested yet again.
    “What do you want?”
    Kyle flashed a wide toothy smile, placed his hands on the counter and leaned close. His shirt sleeve lifted far enough to reveal an oversized watch. “You look fabulous.”
    Na’arah pulled her smock a little closer, knowing it was little shielding from his lascivious stare.
    “Are you here alone?” He craned his neck trying to see in the back room. “Maybe we can go in the back and have a private session.” He winked. “We were rudely interrupted the last time.”
    She resisted the urge to deck him. A firm hand grasped her shoulder and Kyle’s eyes widened. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks, that Auggie decided to drop in.
    “I heard what you did, Kyle.” Auggie came around the counter.
    “So?” The other man tossed an insolent look in Auggie’s direction.
    Tension crackled between the two men. Na’arah stepped away from the counter. She expected some anger, but the animosity between the two was almost palpable.
    “What do you want?”
    “My last check.”
    “Gladly.” She entered the office.
    “Did you really think you could pull some mess like that and I not say anything?” Auggie demanded.
    “Anytime you wanna rematch, let me know.”
    Na’arah paused in sifting through an overflowing desk tray for Kyle’s paycheck and strained to catch every word of the conversation in the other room.
    “You better watch your back, boy,” Auggie said as she returned to the front.
    She tossed the envelope on the counter, not wanting to give Kyle an excuse to touch her. “That’s everything you’re owed. I don’t want to see you in my shop again.”
    Kyle picked up the check and saluted her with it. “Anything for you, pretty lady.”
    Na’arah held her breath, counting each step until he left the spa.
    “I’m really sorry, Arah, I never meant for any of this to happen.”
    Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled. “You know what, Auggie, I don’t want any more apologies right now.”
    He skimmed a hand up and down her arm. “I’ll see what I can do to make this right.”
    “Please don’t do me any more favors.”
    He nodded and left the shop. She crossed the aged wood floors and twisted the lock. It was time to go home anyway. To an empty apartment and an equally empty bed. Yeah, just how she wanted to spend the rest of her evening.
    ****
    “So what made you decide to come help me today?” Zee asked a few days later. Both she and Na’arah were on their knees, soapy sponges in hand, applying a little elbow grease to a stubborn water stain.
    Na’arah huffed and scrubbed harder. “You asked for help.” She couldn’t quite keep the bite from her voice.
    “Uh huh.”
    She was aware of Zee’s scrutiny, but ignored it and dipped her sponge in the bucket of warm water.
    “So how did your date go?”
    “It didn’t.” Na’arah flung the sponge down and stood, brushing a tendril of hair from her face. “Don’t look at me like that,” she said when her sister smirked.
    Zee carefully removed the smile from her lips. Only her eyes held any indication of amusement. “I told you he wasn’t worth your time.”
    She opened her mouth to speak then closed it again. She really should’ve listened to Zee, but she’d really liked Rue. Her shoulders sagged. “Yeah, you’re right.”
    “Wait. What?” Zee scrambled to her feet. “You can’t be serious.”
    Na’arah spun on her heel and crossed to the large window on her right. Bright light streamed through the glass. She frowned and rubbed at a water