The Crane Diaries: Stained by Apryl Baker

Author:Apryl Baker [Baker, Apryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Limitless Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-02-12T08:00:00+00:00

We do indeed swing by Taco Bell on the way back to the hotel and order more food than either of us can eat. That’s what mini fridges are for, after all.

When we get back upstairs, I make haste to rip the dress off and surround myself in soft pajamas. One thing I’d discovered about Nordstrom, they carried the softest fabrics. I try not to look at the price tags while I shop, but it never fails when I check out, I wear a constant grimace.

Dan also thinks I’ve forgotten about that envelope. Wrong.

I wait until we’re both done with our nightly bathroom rituals before I bring it back up. He seems tenser, but then again, his mother’s trial starts at nine a.m. day after tomorrow. It’s not going to be easy for anyone.

“So…”

“Yeah?” he asks, snagging a can of Coke and a bottle of OJ out of the fridge.

“Where is it?”

“Where’s what?”

“The envelope.”

He freezes. “We don’t need to open it tonight.”

“Dan, putting it off isn’t going to change what’s inside.”

“I don’t want to open it tonight.” He picks up the food bags and brings them over to where I’m sitting cross-legged in the middle of the king-sized bed.

“I do.”

“Tough. It’s my envelope.”

I let out a long sigh. “Daniel…”

“Mathilda…”

Rolling my eyes, I jump off the bed and rescue the envelope out of his jeans pocket where I was pretty sure he’d put it.

“Hey!” he protests when I open it and pull out the single sheet of paper inside.

I scan the letter and hand it over. “You should read this.”

“What does it say?” he whispers.

“Won’t know ’til you read it.”

“You’re a cruel woman, you know that?”

“You love me anyway.”

“I do.” He takes the letter from my outstretched hands and closes his eyes briefly before scanning what’s written on it. When his eyes widen, I let the grin I’ve been holding back spread across my face.

“Congratulations, Detective Richards.”

“I…” Dan clears his throat and looks up. “I didn’t expect this. I’m younger than most guys who attempt it. I don’t have the experience, but I passed.”

“You might be young, but there isn’t another cop more dedicated than you.”

“Grady helped me study and prepare for the exam.” He sits down, dumbstruck. “I passed.”

“Remind me to tell him thank you.” I take a seat beside him and gently push his shoulder with mine. “See, all this worry for nothing.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“I can.” Dan gives me the biggest grin when I say that. He turns to kiss me, but I’m up and moving before he can. I’m afraid I’ll start screaming and bring the hotel staff running. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. What you went through at such a young age…” He breaks off with a shake of his head. “It’s a wonder you’re as well adjusted as you are today.”

“That’s because of you and Mary. You do remember how I was when you first met me?”

“You were…”

“Bratty, rude, snarky, and a mess. If you hadn’t showed me I was worth being loved, I might be an entirely different person right now.

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