“No offense taken, my dear. And thank you.” As we waited for the elevator, she slipped her arm in the crook of my elbow.
“I’m looking forward to dinner with you and the girls.”
“Mm-hmm,” I said, staring at the elevator doors, afraid my face might betray me. With my free hand I traced the outline of the box in my coat pocket. The one I still needed to give to Miss Baxter.
* * * *
“Oh, it smells wonderful.” Hasiba and I stood in the foyer while I took her coat. “Like home.”
Moona dashed through the kitchen door with outstretched arms. “Mom,” she said, laying her head on her mother’s shoulder.
“Your girlfriend’s a good driver.”
“Mom, I—”
“Relax, dear. I know you two are together. Mother’s intuition. I know all your secrets.” Moona’s mother pinched her on the cheek and smiled as she sa
