SpeakeasySweetheart Read Online Free Page B

Finding none, she inclined her head. “Thank you.”
    Sasha’s stomach rumbled, distracting them both. Blaze raised
an eyebrow. “Does Cornell bother to feed his girls? When did you last eat?”
    “I had a few bites yesterday evening.” Party food, mostly.
    “When was your last proper meal?”
    “Lunch yesterday.”
    Blaze took her arm with a disapproving grunt. “We’ll go to
my sister-in-law’s.”
    Sasha had to admit she was a touch relieved when Blaze led
her decisively out of the alleyway. It was getting cold and her pride wouldn’t
have let her give up and return to his apartment without an epic struggle. And
the streets of New York City in the twenties were a bit intimidating,
especially as morning traffic began to increase. There seemed to be no rules
and very few guidelines. Intersections were nightmares to navigate, with
vehicles sometimes missing each other by feet or mere inches.
    Safely guided by Blaze, she allowed herself to take in the
sights of the city. She’d lived in the suburbs all her life, so the hustle and
bustle held a certain fascination. And this was nothing like the New York City she’d
seen on her high school trip. She was curious to see what the first subway
lines looked like.
    They hadn’t gone far before Blaze turned down a side street,
leading her up a set of stairs to a large brown door. The building wasn’t quite
as grand as Blaze’s but it was well-kept.
    “They always do a good spread on Saturday morning,” Blaze
said.
    “I take it you’re a frequent visitor.”
    His teeth flashed in an unrepentant grin. “I’m a terrible
cook. Besides, Mary is used to putting on extra. I have a lot of hungry men in
my family.”
    That would take some getting used to. Sasha was accustomed
to solitary, hurried meals. Her father preferred to eat in front of the
television with a can of beer always at hand.
    Sasha repressed a sigh. This thing with Blaze…it wasn’t
long-term. She couldn’t start thinking of them that way. Besides, this was a
rebound relationship, wasn’t it?
    The door opened, and for a moment Sasha was convinced they’d
gone to the wrong house. Who was the old man peering at them? His face wreathed
in a sudden smile and he opened the door wide.
    “Blaze is here!” he shouted over his shoulder. Then, more
loudly, “And he has a young lady with him!”
    Self-consciously, Sasha stepped inside. Blaze’s warm hand
came to rest on the small of her back, reassuring her somewhat.
    “No car today?” the old man inquired.
    “We walked, Uncle Declan.”
    “Walked? I’d have thought you’d want to show off your new
car.”
    Sasha tried not to blush. “He already showed me. Last
night.”
    Uncle Declan grinned and Sasha realized just what she’d
given away.
    “Last night, eh? Well, come on in and have some food.
Table’s set,” the old man said.
    Introductions . Sasha braced herself. She’d never met
her ex’s family, nor had he met her father, so this was entirely new territory.
Stiffly, she allowed herself to be guided through to the kitchen.
    The little boy sitting at the table had blue eyes the same
color as Blaze’s. He waved, hastily swallowing his mouthful of toast. “Morning,
Uncle Blaze!”
    He was cute but Sasha had to harden her heart. After today,
she wouldn’t see them again. So she smiled and nodded in all the right places,
and sat and devoured toast, bacon and eggs while listening to the rest of them
talk.
    When Mary, Blaze’s sister-in-law, pulled her aside after
breakfast, Sasha tried not to be too touched when the other woman handed her a
bundle of clothes.
    “Blaze said you had to leave a bunch of your things behind
because of the police raid,” Mary said. “We’re of a size, so I thought you
could use a few spare outfits.”
    “Thank you.” Sasha accepted the small bundle. “I really
appreciate it. I didn’t bring much with me to the city.”
    Mary began clearing dishes. “No, no—don’t help. You’re a guest.
Say, where are you