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before making my way to her center. Chloe sighed as I lifted her right leg, raised it, and rested it on my shoulder. I could feel the warm water washing over us both as I teased with my tongue. In between her moans, Chloe murmured by name over and over again, which only made me work my tongue slower. She removed her leg from my shoulder and placed her foot on the edge of the tub, opening herself wider to me.
     
    “Patrick,” she said, her voice deeper and pleading. “If I don’t feel you inside me soon, I’m going to scream.”
     
    “If you insist.”
     
    ***
     
     
    An hour later we were both dressed, but Chloe was only slightly more relaxed.
     
    “I can’t believe we did that. She’s going to be here any minute.”
     
    I laughed. “You’re cute when you’re neurotic. You think she’s going to be able to tell we had sex in the shower just by looking at us?”
     
    The intercom buzzed. Chloe gave a small squeal. “Well, we’re about to find out.”
     
    The first thing I noticed about Adrian Brooks was how tall she was. She was six feet tall with perfect posture and high cheekbones. She looked more like a retired supermodel than police detective. Chloe and I had gone downstairs to meet her in the foyer and carry up the luggage. She was wearing blue jeans, high brown boots, and a flowing brown poncho. The color complemented her light brown hair, which was slightly streaked with gray.
     
    Once we were in the apartment, Chloe and her mother shared a long hug. They had the same mouth and eyes. Their hair was the same length—a little longer than shoulder length, but styled differently. Chloe’s always hung in soft waves around her face and shoulders and looked as if it were windswept. Her mother’s was curled tighter with not a hair out of place. They looked more like sisters than mother and daughter and I almost remarked on it, but knew it would sound cheesy.
     
    Mrs. Brooks held Chloe at arm’s length and remarked, “You look different.”
     
    “Good different or bad different?” Chloe asked.
     
    “Good. I think.” She raised an eyebrow then turned her attention to me. I knew at once what Chloe had meant. I didn’t have secrets, but the way Chloe’s mother was looking at me made me feel as though I did. I felt guilty about what had just occurred in the bathroom, though she had no way of knowing about it.
     
    “Hello, Patrick.” She walked towards me, extending her hand. Several silver bracelets trickled down towards her wrist as she did. She was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She was sizing me up. I could feel it.
     
    “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Brooks.” 
     
    “Are you a good guy?”
     
    Her question took me by surprise.
     
    “Mother,” Chloe said sharply.
     
    “I’m not sure I understand.”
     
    Mrs. Brooks crossed her arms over her chest and rested her weight on one hip. She made eye contact and I was afraid to even blink. “Chloe tells me you’re a good guy. I just want to know if that’s true.”
     
    “I, uh, try to be?”
     
    “Is that a question?”
     
    “No, I am. A good guy.”
     
    “For your sake, you better be.”
     
    “Okay, that’s it!” Chloe came over and slipped her arm around my waist. “You’re scaring the hell out of him.”
     
    “Oh calm down, Chloe. I’m just messing with him.” Her stern face dissolved into a smile followed by deep laughter, but I wasn’t so sure she had been. She pulled her poncho over her head to reveal a brown flowing tunic, and tossed the poncho on the sofa.  Rolling up her sleeves she asked, “So, what’s cooking in the kitchen?”
    * **
    Paul arrived first , bringing with him fresh cranberry sauce, a large garden salad, and two bottles of wine. Chloe and I insisted that he sit back and allow us to set the table Mr. Tucci had lent us to accommodate all of our guests. Just as Chloe placed the last setting the intercom buzzed, announcing the arrival of Uncle Troy, Crystal, and Brianna. Uncle Troy