Page 2 of Secret Sins

"Heidi girl."

She was there, my one constant in life, thumping her tail in a rapid beat on the threadbare carpet. Sinking down to greet her, I let my head drop to the wall behind me as she climbed onto my lap. I wanted a shower, food, and sleep, but I would never think to achieve any of those goals without first taking her for a walk.

Her tippy tapping as I grabbed for the leash made me smile, scrubbing her head and kissing her between the ears as she danced. "Okay, girl, let's go."

It was becoming a routine. Down Polk Street to Lawrence, along Tyler until I reached Jefferson. Heidi especially seemed to enjoy this route, as there were plenty of birds to chase and squirrels to taunt. Overall, she behaved well on the leash, and I didn't really have to worry about her. The buildings were old, mostly Victorian in style, and the sidewalk was made up of uneven cobblestones.

I didn't normally pass the bookstore in the daylight. Since I had no money, there was no reason to stop in, and I would take the next block over. The lure of old books, the bakery next door; it all required money in exchange for consumption.

If asked, I couldn't explain it. Nothing had changed; the cloud cover was the same, and the smell of the ocean a few blocks away remained the same. But the roses and the armchair and the stacks called to me again, and I answered.

The front doors stood thrown open in invitation, a chalkboard easel sitting out front on the cobblestones. The sign read:

~Bookish~

Nerds need apply

Pets welcome

Followed by the hours of operation, this was all the information given. I wondered about the type of person who would run a business and intentionally ask for nerds to come in and work. Squinting at the bit of glare coming off the windows, I spotted the cat at the same time Heidi did.

Stretched along the length of the window ledge, it was sleek and black. Nose pressed to the window, Heidi stared intently and wagged her tail.

"As long as your dog doesn't lift his leg on my books, he can come in."

The feminine voice startled me, and I jerked my head in her direction. I wished I could have been witty in response, but instead I gaped. Deep chocolate brown hair pulled up under a red bandana, a black shirt under ripped overalls, red Chucks, and a beguiling smile . . . that's what greeted me in the doorway as I found my tongue.

"Well, he's a she, and she'd never think to defile a book."

"Then you're both welcome inside."

Tentatively, I stepped over the threshold. The cat bolted to the cash register, and I couldn't resist petting it. "What's its name?"

"That's Charlie. He welcomes everyone to Bookish."

Charlie gave me a headbutt and blinked his inquisitive green eyes at me. It was impossible to resist his softness, so I didn't.

"What's this girl's name?"

"Heidi." At her name, her butt dropped to the scuffed wooden floors, and she held out a paw.

"Isn't that a pretty trick, Heidi?" The woman squatted, shaking Heidi's paw and rubbing her ears. "And you?"

Me? What about me? "Uh, my name's Van."

"Nice to meet you, Van. I'm Bailey."

My mouth watered, but it was definitely because of the scent of brewing coffee. Maybe it would cover the stench of dead fish that my clothes and I carried. "I'm sorry, but I haven't showered since I got off work. Walking Heidi comes first."

"Considering where I live, I'm pretty used to it." She stroked slender fingers along the cat's back, causing him to arch and purr. "Can I get you some coffee? Cookies?"

"I wasn't planning on staying." Fuck, her eyes were captivating. I saw the amusement, the openness. The ease with strangers necessary for her occupation.

"I won't force you to stay." Moving to the table by the armchair I'd spotted through the windows, she picked up a plate of pale cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

"Snickerdoodles?" I confirmed.

"Yep. My favorite."