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But no sooner had she opened her apartment door when Graham appeared before her. “Hi. I was just heading out to see you.”
“Look no further.” He held up a pastry bag. “And I brought goodies from the Polka Dotted Bakery. Thought you might enjoy the treat after your exhausting week.”
How did he know she had a soft spot for pastries? Lucky guess. Still, it did have her retreating back into the apartment. “I can’t stay long. I have to see what needs done around the building.”
“Nothing.”
“What?”
“Nothing needs done. I’m on top of everything.”
Surely she hadn’t heard him right. “Everything?”
He smiled at her. “I can tell by your one-word responses that you expected me to fail miserably at this building maintenance stuff.”
Even she couldn’t stay on top of everything in the building. “What about Merryweather? He always has a leak or a clog or a squeak.”
“All of his faucets and drains have been tightened. His bathroom is just fine. And his door hinges have all been lubricated.”
Her mouth gaped. She caught herself and pressed her lips together. “That must have taken you forever.”
He shrugged. “I think that was the point.”
“So you noticed he’s lonely.”
Graham nodded. “I started taking him cookies and staying to chat. Once I started stopping by every day or so, the repair requests slowed down.”
“You know, I’ve been thinking of getting him a rescue dog. I figured they could help each other out. The pup would get a good home. And Merryweather wouldn’t be alone and he’d have a reason to leave his apartment.”
“That’s a good idea. I bet he’d love it. You should do it.”
Alina sighed. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
And then she explained her reasoning about the move and the possible restrictions on pets. “I just couldn’t do it to him. I couldn’t imagine him getting attached to a dog and then having to give it up.”
“And it’s my fault.”
She didn’t say a word. Now that she was getting to know Graham, he was no longer the big bad monster she’d originally imagined. She didn’t want to like him, but it was difficult not to when she found out what he’d done for Merryweather. I mean, how can you dislike a man that indulges a lonely retiree and goes out of his way to get him cookies?
In an effort to change the subject, she said, “I’ve been giving your problem some thought.”
His brows scrunched together. “What problem?”
“Impressing your prospective partners with a big splashy party.”
“Oh.” His brown eyes lit up. “What did you think of?”
“How about a Snow Ball?” She smiled at her pun. “Get it? Snowball as in something to make Frosty out of. And a Snow Ball as in a winter dance.”
“Cute.” He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. He didn’t like it. “I’m sure they’ll be invited to scads of parties.”
Though her excitement had been punctured, she wasn’t giving up. He hadn’t heard the whole idea yet. “Perhaps, but this would be a chance to show them that you support local artists.”
His eyes widened and she could tell she had his full interest. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“I don’t have any specifics but it can’t be that hard to get a bunch of local artists to come together for a party. It would be free publicity for them. Who would pass that up?”
