Free Places in My Heart by Sheryl Lister Page B

“You didn’t need to come all the way over here.”
    â€œHow did you know it was me?” Malcolm asked.
    Morgan rolled her eyes and left him standing there. “Seriously, Malcolm?” She sat on the sofa and tucked her feet beneath her. “You were watching me like you used to whenever you thought some boy was trying to talk to me.”
    He dropped down in a chair. “What did Roland say? And don’t tell me it was nothing. The man was pissed and was loud enough for all of us two tables over to hear him threaten to ruin Drummond. Now, what did he say to you?”
    She raised her eyes to the ceiling and whined, “Why do I have brothers? It was nothing I couldn’t handle. If I’m going to be an agent, I can’t have you running over here every time you think something has happened.” The look on Malcolm’s face said he couldn’t have cared less about what she had said and didn’t plan to leave until she gave him answers. “He called me a B.”
    â€œHe what ! When I get done with his ass—”
    â€œMalcolm, you do not need to handle anything. I took care of it. I told him if I saw one thing in the media, I’d have him in front of a judge before he could call me that again.”
    He leaned back in the chair and chuckled.
    â€œSatisfied? Now, let me deal with it.”
    Malcolm raised his palms in surrender. “You win.”
    â€œYou didn’t tell Brandon and Khalil, did you?”
    â€œNo, I wanted to talk to you first.”
    â€œGood. No sense in having all you nuts locked up behind some craziness. Since you’re here, you want some tea?”
    â€œNo, thanks. I’m going home. How’s the dance production coming?”
    â€œIt’s good. I hope you guys will agree to do the dance. I’ll give Justin a couple of days to recuperate from his honeymoon before I ask him.”
    â€œAre you going to invite Omar?”
    â€œHadn’t planned on it. Attending a dance recital doesn’t really fall under the scope of an agent-client relationship.”
    â€œNo, but you know as well as I do there’s more going on. You may not have acted on it yet, but you will.” Malcolm stood, stretched and headed for the door.
    Morgan followed. “I can’t. This may be my only shot at becoming an agent, and I won’t do anything to jeopardize that.”
    He turned back, placed his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. “So, you two are attracted to each other,” he said with a chuckle. “Thanks for the confirmation.”
    She punched him in the chest and pushed him toward the door. “Go home.”
    â€œI’m going. And don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret.” He smiled. “I always have.”
    â€œI know, and I love you.”
    â€œSee you tomorrow. You want me to pick you up on the bike?”
    â€œYeah, come get me. I’ll be ready around one-thirty. I told Mom I’d be there earlier than usual. With Siobhan gone, it’ll just be her and I cooking.”
    â€œOkay.”
    Morgan kissed her brother on the cheek. “Night, Mal.”
    â€œNight, sis. Lock up.”
    â€œI will.”
    She was in big trouble. The mention of riding the motorcycle made her think of Omar’s offer. She wanted to ride the bike...and the man.

Chapter 7
    M organ and Malcolm were the first to arrive at their parents’ home Sunday afternoon. They found their mother in the kitchen standing over one of the sinks in the spacious kitchen. The large area had another sink at a center island, tons of counter and cabinet space, an oversize refrigerator and double oven.
    â€œWell, if it isn’t the daredevil twins,” her mother teased. Though she had changed out of her dress, she still had on her earrings and makeup. As always, her cropped, layered salt-and-pepper hair didn’t have a strand out of place, and her smooth light brown skin was virtually