“Still is.”
“You’re sweet, Lucien. I can see why Catty likes you.” She shook her head slowly. “With losing my eyesight, I can’t keep her up like I used to. Maybe it was God’s way of not letting me see the state the neighborhood has fallen into.” She rested her cane at her knee and felt for the side table before resting her cup on the surface. “Catty is a sweet girl. Always coming by and checking on me. She even brings flowers to hang on my front porch. I can’t see them, but I can smell them when I step outside. She’s always thinking of others.”
“She’s a regular Mother Teresa,” Shelly muttered as leaned against the doorway leading into the living room.
Lucien’s irritation flared.
“Shelly, I’m sure I don’t understand your meaning.” Mrs. Willis frowned.
“Oh, I’m sure Shelly was complimenting me.” Catty appeared in the doorway holding two Styrofoam cups of coffee, a bag of sweet treats, and a face full of irritation.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Catty, I didn’t hear you come in. Look who’s here. Your friend Lucien.” Mrs. Willis’s cheerful tone should have eased the tension in the room.
“Lucien, what are you doing here?” A slow blush crossed Catty’s face.
“I thought I would surprise you.” He stood and walked over to her.
The tension in the room was heavy, and all he wanted was to rip her clothes off and have her once more.
“Ah, now I see.” Shelly flashed a bitchy smile. “Catty, I have to say I didn’t think you’d hook up with someone so hot. Seems a bit out of your league.”
Catty flinched as if she’d been hit.
Lucien shot Shelly a glare.
“Shelly!” Mrs. Willis’s sharp tone echoed in the room. “That’s uncalled for. And you owe Catty an apology.”
“I’m pretty lucky that Catty even gives me the time of day. I place a lot of value on our relationship.” He kept his gaze on the woman who’d bared her soul and her body to him last night.
“Is that so?” Shelly narrowed her eyes at him. Clearly the girl was jealous of Catty.
Catty shifted her weight and cleared her throat.
“I brought some chocolate croissants. I know how much you like them.” She looked at Mrs. Willis.
“You’re such a sweet girl.” Mrs. Willis smiled. “Come sit down and we’ll share some good coffee and some good conversation. Shelly, can you bring Catty a cup of coffee?”
Shelly narrowed her eyes.
“I brought my own.” She headed over and set the bag of treats down on the coffee table.
“Come sit, dear. I was just having a nice conversation with Lucien.” Mrs. Willis accepted the croissant Catty handed her. She placed the pastry on a small napkin Catty produced from the bag.
Catty turned to Lucien. “What were you guys talking about?”
“Ah, just about how close you too are.” Mrs. Willis pipped in before taking a bite of the croissant.
Lucien lifted his brow and looked at the older woman. Not exactly the conversation he remembered.
“Really?” Catty blushed.
“Yes, Lucien is quite the… catch.” Shelly slid up to him and raised up on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek. “I’ve gotta run. See you around, Lucien.” Shelly strutted to the front door.
Catty shot daggers at him with her eyes.
“You know, Mrs. Willis. I forgot about an appointment I had made this morning.” She stood and gathered her bag off the floor. “I’ve got to run before I’m late.”
“Oh, I was looking forward to talking more with your friend Lucien.”
“Oh, he can stay. I’m sure he has no place to be.” She gave him a death stare before hurrying to the door.
“I’ll see you in a few days, Mrs. Willis.” Catty called out over her shoulder before the door slammed shut.
Shit. He was clearly in trouble.
“Well, Lucien. Don’t just stand there. Go after your girl.” Mrs. Willis smiled before taking a bite out of her croissant.
He mumbled a quick goodbye and hurried out of the house.
Catty was more than pissed. She was hurt.
Standing on the sidewalk, he scanned the area. No sign of her. He closed his eyes and inhaled.
Her scent.
He hurried after her.
His footsteps pounded against the concrete sidewalk. Sweat broke out under his leather jacket and seeped into his T-shirt.
He turned and headed down an alley. When he reached the end, he stepped out onto the next street. He caught sight of Catty in jeans, boots, and a thin T-shirt heading toward her apartment.
He took off at a run.
“Stop, Catty.” He grabbed her elbow, but she snatched out of her grip.