Read Say Ye for Free Online

said as she walked up, camera in hand. “You in the middle, Lita. Better composition that way.”
    Lita obeyed and Lorenzo snuck his arm around her waist and leaned into her. How her sugary, homey scent could draw him in mystified him. Amy walked over and they broke apart.
    “Lita, sweetie, shouldn’t you be getting home? Lee says you’ve been having trouble sleeping,” Amy said.
    Lorenzo wanted to tell her off, especially when Lita’s face reddened.
    Lita put her hands on her hips. “It’s Lee who needs rest. Maybe you should be going too?”
    Lorenzo grinned. Damn, even when she was angry she was sexy.
    “I think that’s for Lee to decide,” Amy said.
    “I think we need to talk,” Lee said, turning serious.
    “How about I walk you ladies out? Happy Birthday, Lee. Thanks for the invite.” Lorenzo gave Lee a conspiratorial look. He knew Lee needed everyone to leave so he could have his break-up in private. Amy would be the fourth girlfriend in a row Lee dumped because they all got bitchy with Lita eventually. Probably they all figured out Lee cared more about his sister than anyone and they resented her for it.
    Lorenzo helped Lita with her coat; she leaned into him as he held it out for her. He put his hands on her shoulders, but removed them when Emma tapped his back. He waited and walked out behind Emma, who took Lita’s arm and glanced back at him. She knew something was going on and wouldn’t let him get close to Lita. When they reached Emma’s car, he opened the passenger door for Lita, who paused and studied him.
    “I’ll take you home,” he said. Lita stepped toward him with a smile. This was too easy.
    “No need,” Emma said. “I’m spending the night there anyway and it’s out of your way. Come on, Lita.”
    He shrugged but kept his eyes on Lita. Emma trotted to her door and slammed it shut. Lita started at the noise and broke their gaze. She brushed her hand over his as he held the door for her. Something light and hopeful surged through him. He gripped the cold metal doorframe. As Lita slid into the seat, he leaned down, his body tried to mutiny against sense.
    “See you,” Emma said.
    He shut the door. Lita looked away, her hands clasped. He would have to wait.
    Wait he did. He didn’t know how other guys waited so long for women. It had been two weeks since he’d seen Lita at Lee’s party. He hadn’t even had sex all that time. Seemed like a lifetime. It was the longest he’d gone without since he was a teenager.
    He rose from his desk in the office. Faint echoes of music and people talking drifted under the door. They weren’t open yet, but most of the staff were there. Glancing down, the picture of him, Lita, and Lee at Lee’s party caught his eye. He moved it from under the blotter and picked it up, touching a finger to Lita’s face. The door slammed open.
    “Lorenzo, what do you mean firing Del?” his father bellowed. He crashed the door shut and strode to the desk. Grabbing the photo, his father studied it before handing it back. His eyes glinted. Lorenzo shoved the photo into a drawer.
    “He came to work drunk.” Lorenzo eased himself into his chair and leaned back. His father remained standing.
    “Even drunk he’s a better bouncer than anyone else. You’re losing your edge.” He leaned over the desk, his face a foot away from Lorenzo’s. “You think moving into Nick’s and making up to some young woman is going to save you from yourself?” He chuckled.
    Lorenzo crossed his arms and stared at his father.
    “I know you better than you know yourself. You’re twenty-seven. Time to accept the fact that all you care about is having good food, fine wine, expensive toys, and beautiful women. Your mother tried to make you soft. Those damn DeGrazias. Think they’re better.” His father’s face reddened as his voice became louder. “Take what you want and make no apologies. You think they don’t? Ha. And that Nick…no one is innocent. At least everyone knows