Free My Sister's Shoes (Little Black Box, Book 1) by Cherrie Mack

chimed. She narrowed her eyes and glanced at the phone. It was Zach Brady. “Hello.” Allie looked at Angelo and didn’t look away. “Really? When will you be getting back? Uh-huh. That soon? Oh. Okay. Right. See you then.”
    She clicked off the phone. “He’ll be back sooner than expected. Maybe as early as tomorrow morning.”
    “Then we better get started.” He glanced at his watch. “Perfect. Chelsea Market should be opening to the public soon. Let’s go.”

Chapter 10
    Chelsea Market smelled heavenly. Bright blooms filled the marketplace. Vendors rushed inside to gather orders. Large selections of flowers were bunched together on ledges, and aisles upon aisles of shelves held their own specific flower.
    Mexican pottery, large and small, sat on the floor. Impressive looking terra-cotta containers and potted plants dotted the walls, and baskets hung from the ceiling. Men carrying towering ferns and tightly packed bundles of roses and tulips were rushing by. When one stepped on Allie’s foot, she let out a yelp. Angelo eyed the man, who ignored her cry and kept moving. Allie scowled in the man’s direction. “No friggin’ manners.”
    Angelo grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him. He followed after the man yelling, “Hey! Hey you.”
    Allie felt her cheeks heat. “Let it go. He’s an ass.”
    He yanked her hand and stopped to glare at her. “Are you gonna complain, or are you gonna stand up for yourself?”
    “Uh … complain?”
    “Figures. But I’m here, so I’ll do the sticking up—hey!” He turned around and dragged her behind, never letting go of her hand. “Hey, you!” he shouted.
    The man turned around and looked Angelo up and down. Allie saw him glance her way as she hid behind Angelo, trying not to die of embarrassment. The man’s New York accent was thick and full of Brooklyn. “Yeah? Can I help ya, guy?” He began to load a box truck with flowering plants.
    “You stepped on the lady’s foot. Does she not deserve an apology?”
    Allie peeked out from behind Angelo’s back. She saw the man glare in her direction. “Yeah, awright . Sorry, lady.”
    Angelo laughed and let go of her hand. He got closer until he was nose-to-nose with the man. He snarled, “Give her a better apology. You’re giving men a bad name.”
    The man stood his ground and said nothing. Allie decided to say something. “I’m sorry for my friend. He’s very protective. It’s no big deal.”
    Angelo turned and looked at her as if she was crazy. Her eyes widened in horror as she screamed, “Watch out.” But it was too late. Angelo was sucker-punched with a mean left hook. The men took to the street, fists flying. Allie watched Angelo defend her, and she realized it was the first time in her life a man had ever stood up for her. Her nerves flared back to life when she heard police sirens. And they were getting closer. Time to make a quick exit.
    * * * *
    On the subway car, Allie stood and threw her arms in the air as if she was boxing. “You really showed that guy. I bet he’ll say he’s sorry from now on.”
    “Sit down, Allie. People are looking at you.”
    “My adrenaline is pumping too fast. I can’t sit still.”
    He giggled at her and brought his hand to touch his eye. It was beginning to throb and swell, but he watched Allie jump around with his good eye. When the train squealed and slowed down, she grabbed the pole and swung toward him, almost losing her balance. He scolded her, “Sit down. You’ll get hurt. What’s gotten into you?”
    “I don’t know. I feel great.”
    “I’m glad someone does.” He removed his hand from his eye and squinted at her. He watched her smile disappear, to be replaced by an expression of concern. She leaned down and got close to his face. He stayed still, almost afraid to breathe. She smelled like the flowers in the market, and the concern in her eyes made him want to grab her cheeks and kiss her until she was breathless. They were so close that he could