Page 54 of No Headlines Please

At the sight of her, my jaw dropped. Then her jaw dropped. Her eyes narrowed and she said with a little sniff, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."

She was still standing in the elevator. I was still waiting to get inside. Except I couldn't, because she was standing so near the doors, I'd have to grease myself up to slide past her.

And when she finally did move, it was only to take a single step forward and plant herself squarely in the elevator doorway.

What the heck?

Even grease wouldn't help me now.

She hitched her purse higher and said, "Well?"

I shook my head. "Well what?"

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

She was wearing the same pearls and tailored pantsuit she'd been wearing earlier, when she'd caught me grubbing in the garbage. Reluctantly, I looked down, taking in my own appearance.

Shit.

Unable to stop myself, I blurted out, "I just spilled my coffee."

Her mouth tightened. "Your coffee?"

"What does that mean?"

She smirked. "Are you sure it wasn't some coffee you found?"

Found where? And then, it hit me. Eww. I made a face. "No. Because I don't grub in the garbage for coffee – or burgers either. And that goes double for this morning."

She looked distinctly unconvinced. "Nice story. But I saw you."

Damn it. "Yeah, I know." I sighed. "But it wasn't what it looked like. I was just looking for a receipt."

This earned me another smirk. "In a burger bag?"

"No. Under the burger bag." I gave her a pleading look. "Now, can I please get on the elevator?"

She didn't budge. "No."

In spite of her attitude, the reply caught me off-guard. "Uh…seriously?"

Her chin lifted. "I'm afraid I'll need your name."

I stared in disbelief. "Why?"

"Because you've been prowling through the building all weekend."

Prowling?

She was one to talk.

And besides, I'd only arrived just yesterday. I gave her a look. "Yeah, well…so have you."

This made her sputter. "What?"

I crossed my arms. "I'm just saying…every time I turn around, there you are."

"Yes, because I live here."