Yesterday's Stardust by Becky Melby Page B

are practically neighbors.”
    Could you be any more obvious, Lavinia?
Dani arched her brows at Todd. “But I wasn’t
born
into the Mansion District. So you come from
ooold
money.”
    “No, I come from ingenious parents who bought a run-down mansion and turned it into three apartments. My peeps are land
lords,
not land
barons,
and they bought it when I was in high school. I actually grew up in an upstairs apartment two blocks from here. He pointed a butter knife at Nicky. “At least I’m not descended from the mafia.”
    Nicky closed his eyes for a millisecond and shook his head. “Have a pickle, Metzger.”

    Dani pushed aside her plate. A streak of whipped cream was all that remained of the chocolate chip cannoli. “Delicious.” It was at least the third time she’d said it.
    Nicky stood. “Anyone want more coffee?”
    So he does have a thoughtful cell in his body.
Dani watched the bulging-over-biceps gray shirt disappear behind the cupboards hanging over the counter that separated the kitchen and dining room. This was her chance to corner him. And blast him.
    Before she worked up the courage to follow him, he was back with the coffee pot. He refilled every cup, including hers. When he got to Lavinia, he bent and planted a kiss on her cheek.
    “What’s that for?”
    “For dinner. And for putting up with me.”
    Lavinia blushed.
    Maybe she wouldn’t blast him. Maybe she’d just ask. Dani picked up her plate and stood. “Guess I’m on KP duty.” She followed Nicky into the kitchen.
    “You called the paper.” She waited for him to turn around.
    He slipped the pot back into the coffee maker. Seconds passed before he looked up at her. For a long time. Without a word. Then finally he nodded. “I’ll help you with dishes.”
    What?
    “You will not.” Lavinia materialized from out of nowhere. “This is your day off. Get out of here. Go enjoy that car for the rest of the night.”
    Todd walked in carrying a stack of plates. “She’s right, Nick. I’ll help with dishes.”
    Not a chance.
Dani had no intention of being left alone with the cop and his questions. “I think the girls should do dishes and let the men shoot pool or something. Rena, come help me.”
    Lavinia shook her head. “I have something to show Rena in my sewing room.”
    Nicky grabbed a pad of paper from the refrigerator and scribbled something on it. Todd peered over his shoulder. “What’re you doing?”
    Something vaguely resembling a smile lit his dark eyes. “I’m giving the woman my phone number.” Without making eye contact, he thrust it into her hand and walked out.
    Todd picked up a dish cloth. “What was that all about?”
    She slid the paper deep into her back pocket. Her hand shook as she reached for the towel. “I have no idea.”

    Todd washed and she dried. Through glasses and silverware, they chatted about their jobs. While seemingly engrossed in scraping the burnt edges from the mostaccioli pan, Todd tipped his head and stared at her over his shoulder. “You’re covering the story, aren’t you?”
    “Story?” The wide-eyed stare might buy her the moment she needed to figure out her own story.
    “Don’t pull the dumb blond routine on me. Do you know how many times I see that look every day? ‘The speed limit’s twenty-five? Really?’ He batted his eyes. “‘Why, officer, I thought the sign said
fifty
-five.’”
    Dani laughed. “Makes you all weak in the knees, I bet.”
    Rena padded into the kitchen in bare feet. “Makes him all weak in the head more like.”
    “Watch it, girl.”
    Rena yawned. Wiping her hands on the dishtowel, Dani smiled at the girl with the black 7 healing above her collarbone. “I’ll take you home. It’s not safe to be out at night in this neighborhood.”

    “…and he went all ballistic on me right in front of Jarod. He can’t accept that I’m not a little kid anymore, and I’m not a moron…”
    Dani rolled down a window. In defiance, maybe. They were parked in the