Page 13

By the time we pulled into my building, she was fully leaning into the night. Smiling too easily. Talking softer. Eyes heavier.

I parked, got out, and came around to open her door again.

She stepped out, adjusting herself, looking around like she was taking everything in.

I walked her inside without saying much.

Inside my condo, Camille kicked off her heels and started talking before the door fully closed.

Every sentence coated in liquor and effort.

I poured a drink I didn’t want and set it on the counter.

She walked past me, running her hand along the back of the couch.

“You have a really nice place,” she said.

“Thank you.”

She stepped closer.

“We should shower,” she said. “Together. before we… you know.”

I looked at her for a second.

Then smirked.

“I don’t show my body on the first date.”

She blinked like she didn’t find humor in it.

I nodded toward the hallway.

“Guest bathroom down there,” I said. “Meet me in my room.”

I paused just long enough for it to land.

“Naked.”

I walked off.

In my bathroom, I let the water run until it was hot.

I emptied my pockets before I undressed. The rose had come back upstairs in my pocket, crushed. I set it on the counter and stared at it for a second.

I laughed once under my breath.

All these women around me.

All this access.

And the only one I could think about was the one who had left my card sitting on a table, like I was the one applying.

I brushed her off and stripped.

I hopped in the shower, washed, stepped out, dried off, and moved through the rest of it without rushing.

Lotion.