My Sister's Shoes (Little Black Box, Book 1) (7 page)

In the kitchen, Allie filled up a kettle. She held an envelope of powdered flu medicine and shook it. As she waited for the water to boil, she tried once again to recall her dream. She was running from—no—to. She was running to someone. She shook her head in frustration as her dream slipped even further into the recess of her mind. Her body was really sore. Between the run and the oncoming cold, she was feeling pretty miserable. The only thing that could make her feel worse was—Adrienne. And there she was. Allie studied her. “You just getting in?”

“Why yes, Allie, I am. I have a life. What’s wrong with you? Why do you sound like you’re talking through your nose? Are you sick?”

“Uh-huh.”
God, you’re a genius.

“Stay away from me. I cannot afford to get infected with whatever you’ve got going on.”

She noticed Adrienne was missing her pantyhose and looked somewhat disheveled. “I’ll try not to breathe in the apartment.”

“Good.”

Allie couldn’t stop herself. “Did you have a good time tonight?”

“Fabulous. I was with Zach.”

“With Zach? Like all the way with Zach?”

Adrienne flipped her hair over her shoulder. “What are we, like best friends now? Think I’d tell you?”

Allie stirred the powder into the mug of hot water and shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever.”

“Well, if you must know, I make a man wait.” Then she looked away as if in a dreamy state. “I’m sure once it happens,” Adrienne made eye contact with her, “and it will, the experience will be beautiful.”

Allie rolled her eyes. “What if Mr. Perfect is into a little slap and tickle?”

“What?”

“You know. What if he likes to dish out a little pinch of pain with his pickle?”

“You. Are. Disgusting. And I’m going to bed.”

“Nightie-night.” Allie watched as Adrienne marched out of the kitchen. Sipping her concoction, she giggled. It was an evil sound that made her giddy even though she felt horrible.

* * * *

The sounds of the hospital machines were distant, but there were times he could hear everything. He was still in what the doctors called a comatose state. His brain showed activity, but it was too soon to tell if he’d make it. He heard the familiar voice of his mother as she spoke softly into his ear. He wanted so much to stroke her hand and tell her he had it all under control. He wanted to tell her that he was in between worlds at the moment, and his return to the living hinged on his joining together two mismatched people. He was told that it was the hope that their love would bring forth more worthy human beings to grace the earth. And if he was successful, he would return to his life. Will he remember this experience if he returned? Probably not. But wouldn’t his mother get a kick out of knowing that what stood between Los Angeles, California, and the afterlife was none other than New York City. His mother’s voice faded away and was replaced by
her
. She was calling to him, and she pulled at his heartstrings more every day. Her beauty was far more than skin deep, and he found himself committing the ultimate act of selfishness by falling in love with her.

* * * *

Holding back her tears, Allie lay awake. She was alone in the world, and nothing made her feel more alone than when she was sick. She hummed her mother’s favorite song, but it only made her feel worse. She curled up in a fetal position.
I wish Angelo was here.
She closed her eyes and tried to relax. Focusing on happier days, she recalled a time when the newness of a family opened her heart to the belief in love and all of its possibilities. But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
Just like a lot of things in her life.
“
Achoo!
”

“Bless you.”

“Jeez. You did it again. You scared me.” She sat up in bed.

“I’m sorry, sugar. I really didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Yeah, well you did. And? Will you look at me! I told you I was getting sick.”

“All right, Allie. Calm down. A cold is not cause for despair. Is something bothering you besides feeling under the weather?”

“No. I’m sick. And when I’m sick, I’m cranky.”

“Okay. Do you want me to stay for a little while?”

“That depends on how long you can stay. And why do you disappear without saying good-bye? It’s rude. Like today for instance, you just left me.”

“I left because I knew Zach would be there. I can sometimes be a deterrent for other guys.” He curled his arm, flexed his bicep, and wiggled his brows.

“Why do you always do that? Are you always this full of yourself?” He shrugged his shoulders.

“And where do you go when you leave? Is there some fairy city you live in? Like where you have a fairy girlfriend or something?” She swallowed her embarrassment.

“I-I’m not sure where I go exactly. But I do all the things I did when I was alive.”

The air suddenly left her lungs. “You’re dead?” The question hung in the air for a moment as she stared at him.

“Not technically.”

“Not technically? So you’re here with me until…?”

“Until you snag your happiness.”

Giving him a sideways glance, Allie struggled to understand, “And then you … die?”

“Don’t know. If I’m successful and help you achieve your happiness, then maybe not.”

“You mean until I snag Zach.”

He ran his hands through his hair and scratched at his scalp as if frustrated by her questions. “Yes. Z.A.C.H. That’s how you spell happiness, isn’t it?”

“I see. I guess I’ll have to get right on it. Or should I say, get right on him.”

“Allie, that’s not what I meant.”

She turned her back and stretched out on her bed. “Great. I’m back to making everyone else happy instead of myself.”

Angelo sat on the edge of her bed and tugged her shoulder until she rolled her over to face him. “What do you mean by that?”

“If I don’t like Zach for instance. Now I feel like I have to like him so you can do whatever it is to … live.”

“You don’t like Zach?”

“I didn’t say that. I just feel pressured to like him.”

“Allie, at your ripe old age of twenty-two, how many men have you dated?”

“Plenty.”

He gave her a half-smile and waited for the truth. She caved. “All right. Not plenty, but it’s not like I had a lot of time to date. My mother and Gregory weren’t together for long before her diagnosis. They planned on marrying, but when she was told the news, everything came to a halt. Gregory was crushed and vowed to make the rest of her life as beautiful as he could. He took a leave of absence from his business and thought of nothing else. Looking back, we both took a leave of absence from our lives.”

“And the wedding plans?”

Allie shook her head no. “She was too sick from all the treatment.”

Angelo brushed her hair from her face. “I’m sorry, sugar. That really sucks.”

“When she died, Gregory became a shell. I didn’t think he’d ever bounce back, until Trudy showed up that is.”

“Trudy was Gregory’s desperate attempt to avoid the pain of his loss. She was a distraction, a means to an end.”

“It just pisses me off that people like Trudy and Adrienne get away with stuff like this. When Gregory died, everything went in their favor, and I’m the one who feels his loss more than they do.”

“So, you think you deserved Gregory’s company?”

“Hell, yeah. Just because you’re related by blood doesn’t always mean you’re family.”

“Well said. This is why you were given the black box. I think in the end you will understand.”

Her eyes felt heavy as she fought the medicine’s effect. “Angelo? Will you lay with me?”

*

He got into her bed, spooning her as he stroked her hair. Humming what was an unfamiliar melody to him seemed to give Allie comfort. She grabbed his hand and pulled it up between her breasts and nuzzled it to her cheek. If he had a choice, he would stay here, just like this, forever.

She stirred, “That is my mother’s favorite song. How did you know it?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe I heard you humming it?”

“I don’t think so. Angelo? What is your real name?”

“Ssh. Sleep now, Allie.”

Allie rolled her eyes as Barnabus the Chihuahua yelped and nipped at her ankles. But she’d put up with a lion roaring in her ears just to look at Zach Brady. He put his coat on. “Thanks so much, Allison. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Thanks. I think I just needed a good rest.”

“I really appreciate you getting up at the crack of dawn and helping me out.”

“No problem.” She shook Barnabus off her leg.

“Heel, Barnabus!” Zach shouted at the dog and made her jump. “Sorry. He really is pretty loveable. I think he just likes guys.”

“Uh-huh.” She watched Barnabus jump up on the chair and stare at her. She locked eyes with him and he growled, showing his tiny razor-like teeth.

Zach walked toward the door. “I left all the information for Barnabus on the fridge. Remember, he gets one dropper in his left eye three times a day for another two days.”

“Got it.”

“Great.” He let out a deep breath as he patted his breast pocket. “Okay, then. I guess that’s it. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Just one. I’ll go to the Chelsea Market this weekend. How should I make purchases?” He looked perplexed. “For the flowers,” she reminded him.

“Oh. Right, the garden. I will text you with my house account.”

“Great. Have a good trip.”

“Oh, Allison, my mail. Can you just bring it up?”

“Sure. I’ll get it.”

She closed the door behind him and quickly turned around to stare at Barnabus. “And your little dog too.”

“
Arf
.” He jumped off the chair and ran into his little house.

* * * *

Allie ran through Zach’s apartment trying to catch Barnabus. They stopped in the living room, where Barnabus crouched and growled. “Come here you little runt. I gotta give you these drops!” The dog stopped growling and looked at her, tilting his head to the side as he sat down.

“I’m impressed,” she murmured.

“You should be.”

Without turning around, Allie smiled. “You know, I think the only way you’ll surprise me from now on is if you actually use the front door.”

A low growl came from Barnabus as Angelo walked over and scooped him up. Scratching the dog behind his ear, he asked, “So, is this little guy giving you a hard time?”

“Be careful, he has a Napoleon complex.” Barnabus showed his teeth to her. “
Grrr
.”

Allie handed Angelo the eye dropper. “Can you put a dropper full in his left eye, please? The little beast won’t let me get near him.”

He chuckled. “Sure.”

She plopped into a chair and watched him closely. He was gentle with the dog, and it got her thinking things she shouldn’t. “So, you haven’t been around much. Not so interested in my happiness anymore?”

He finished the drops and put Barnabus on the floor. He took a seat opposite her, and the dog nuzzled at his feet. “I’m always around, Allie.”

“Mmm.”

“You want to ask me something?”

“Nope. Well—actually, yes.”

He smirked at her, and Allie felt her insides tighten. “Ask me anything,” he said with a wink.

Allie sucked on her bottom lip and then blew out a breath. “Can a fairy godmother get together with their—for lack of a better word—assignment?”

Angelo lifted one brow. His expression of amusement annoyed her. Jumping to her feet, she spat, “Don’t read into it. I was just curious.”

He lifted his hands in surrender and chuckled. “I just thought you might consider a walk on the wild side.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Angelo—or whatever your name is. I like what I like, and you’re not it.”

She tried moving past him, when he reached out and grabbed her by the wrist. She looked into his green eyes and knew right away that he saw through her. He had her pegged right from the start. She was an angry, immature fraud who hadn’t a clue what she wanted out of life, let alone who.

He grinned at her. “So, let’s be clear. Zach Brady is the key to your happiness, and what you need from me is to help you win him over so you can dance with him in your sister’s shoes?”

She huffed, “It sounds so shallow when you put it like that.”

“Because it is.” He stood up and hovered inches from her. The heat between them was undeniable as Allie tried to hide her desire.

“Just remember, Allie, when you walk in someone else’s shoes, they might not be very comfortable.” Angelo let her go and went out onto the terrace. She swallowed hard and followed.

In a black, fitted T-shirt and dark denim jeans that showed off his fit physique, Angelo leaned on the railing, looking out toward the river. His wide shoulders and lean torso were met by a slender waist and a rock-hard butt. She bit her bottom lip as she reached up to touch his shoulder. Suddenly he pushed back and walked the length of the terrace. “So the way I envision it would be a bistro set surrounded by clay pots and wooden shadow boxes for flower beds. We can pick the right ones at the market place. I’m not sure what would thrive in New York City. I lived in a much different climate. What do you think?”

Allie lifted her brows. “Different climate? Like the west coast?”

“I might have.”

“You might have?”

“Anyway, what do you think about my idea?”

“Huh? Oh. I think it sounds great. How do you know so much about gardens anyway?”

“My mother owned a flower shop. I had all kinds of gardens when I was a kid. My mom was very partial to vegetables, artichokes especially.”

Allie giggled. “You never cease to amaze me.”

“Oh? Why?”

“It’s just that … I wouldn’t picture someone like you knowing so much about flowers of all things.”

“There you go again, Allie, judging a book by its cover.”

“I don’t do that.”

He nodded his head, “Yeah, you do.”

She stared at him until he looked away. Then her confession tumbled out. “I guess I am a bit judgmental and angry, but my life hasn’t exactly been filled with overwhelming joy, ya know. I don’t want to feel sorry for myself, but I can’t help but feel mixed up sometimes. And it gets me angry that Adrienne stepped into my shoes, so why shouldn’t I step into hers? Did you know that she pretended to be me? She faked wanting to be a hospice nurse, which is funny because I don’t think that’s really what I want at all. But still, she has everything, and what little I have she decided to take. All to win the attention of a man who thinks he’s dating me.”