“I’ve told you I don’t want you walking around by yourself after dark. This is a city, you know.”

“You sound like my dad. Go home. It’s late, and you’ve already worked twelve hours today.”

“Now who’s being the parent?” he asked with a playful scowl. “I’ll wait.”

Kate found it hard to move just then.

“Go,” he said. “I’ll wait.”

When her shift ended at eleven, she waved good night to Butch and went downstairs ahead of Reid. Once they were outside, she took a deep gulp of fresh air. “The smoke was tough tonight.”

“That can’t be good for your voice.”

“It’s not. Even if I don’t get the gig with the Rafters, I might quit Mabel’s. The smoke sucks, and the people there are kind of shitty.”

He stopped walking and turned to her. “Shitty?”

“Mean.”

“They’re mean? To you?”

He looked so mad on her behalf that she smiled. “Butch says it’s because I sing better than they do.”

“Butch is probably right. He’s pretty smart about these things.”

“I’m not used to people not liking me because of my music, but I suppose it’s to be expected here.”

“I’m sorry, darlin’. I hate hearing that.”

His dismay was so genuine that Kate slipped a hand into the crook of his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Are you gonna beat ’em all up for me?” she asked, mocking his accent.

“I just might have to.”

“They’re not worth it. Besides, I plan to get my revenge the old-fashioned way.”

Amused, he looked down at her. “Oh yeah? How’s that?”

“I’m going to be famous.”

He laughed. “I have no doubt,” he said as they reached the stairs to her townhouse. “Everything okay with the apartment?”

“Yeah, except for the slumlord. He’s a major pain.”

“You’re a real brat, aren’t you?”

“Sometimes. The apartment is great, thank you. I love having my own place.”

“Just call the slumlord if you ever need anything.”

“I’ll do that. Are we still on for Sunday?”

“We sure are. You remember how to get there, right?”

“Yep. I’ll be out around noon. Is that good?”

“That’s perfect. Well, I guess I’ll see you then.” He kissed her cheek.

“Who’s going to walk you back to your car?”

“I think I’ll be able to find it.”

“This is a city you know,” she said, imitating his stern lecture from earlier.

He laughed. “You really are a brat.”

“Yeah, yeah, put it in your report. Call me from the car. I won’t sleep if I have to worry about you getting mugged in the big city.”

“All right. Get inside before I go.”

At the top of the stairs, she unlocked her door and once inside, waved through the glass door.

He made a twisting motion with his hand.