“Well, okay then, as long as you won’t be alone,” said the paramedic. He smiled and left. The door clicked shut behind him.
Chesty caught my eye.Did he know I waslying?
I rummaged through my bag, pretending to look for something, and my phone pinged again. Perfect timing.
James:What’shappening?
Me:All done. We’re goinghome.
James:WE? Who iswe?
Me:Me and the guy I was stuckwith.
James:You got stuck in a lift with a man?! AND YOU’RE ONLY TELLING ME THISNOW??
I ignored him.
James:Andrea! DO NOT IGNOREME!
Me:Yes. Aman.
Probably best I left out the part where the lift fell, and he pulled me on top of him. He’d go into orbit.
James:Well? Single? Sexy? Employed? I sincerely hope you got hisdetails!
I sent him an eye roll emoji. The less James knew about hot lift guy, the better.
Me:Just a guy. Not much to tell. I’ll fill you inlater.
I looked up. Chesty was watching me like I might keel over sideways. He still didn’t look like he was leaving.
I inspected my knees and tried to think. What did you say to a man you’d just survived an elevator disaster with?Thanks for cushioning my entire body with your (very firm) torso, but you can leavenow?
No. That didn’t quite work.
James:You’d better fill me in! Good Lord, woman. Single less than a day and already your life’s starting to sound like a low-budget porno. I’mimpressed.
I ignored that, too.
Me:How much trouble am I in withGerald?
James:Zero. New owner didn’tshow.
Me:What?
James:Flight was delayed or something. Postponed till tomorrow. I do have some major goss, though…
I sent him a popcorn emoji and waited.
No reply.
Damn James and his love of suspense.
I stood. I still felt shaky, and the room was too hot.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Chesty was looking at me, frowning.
“Well, my lipstick’s come off and my hair’s a disaster, but medically speaking, thriving.” I tried a grin, but it felt stiff, like I’d borrowed it from someone else’s face.
