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I phoned Liza at the Airbnb and finally got through.
"Oh, thank God," I said when she finally answered her phone. "I was robbed and don't have my key. I called and called last night but you didn't answer."
"Sorry," she said, "but I dropped my cell in a puddle and couldn't use it."
"Can I meet you at the apartment after work and get a spare key?"
"Sure," she said. "Meet me at six. Sorry to hear about you being robbed. That's terrible."
We said goodbye and I hung up, glad at least that I'd have the Airbnb back until Monday when I picked up my keys for my long-term apartment.
Then I got a text from Josh:
JOSH: Hey, why didn't you stay at the apartment? I came back, thinking you'd still be there but you were gone.
I bit my bottom lip and considered my response.
ELLA: I went to a hostel for the night. My best friend rented it for me so no worries. I felt really bad staying in your apartment. I'll be getting my replacement key from my landlord at the Airbnb so it's all good. But I could use that cashier's check for first and last month's rent if you're still willing. I'll transfer you the money as soon as the bank lets me back into my account. I need the check for Monday.
JOSH: No problem. Are you free tonight? I thought we might have dinner and maybe try again, considering we were so rudely interrupted... And my apologies for that. My ex is a little unstable. Well, a lot unstable.
ELLA: Thanks for the offer, but I think maybe we were rushing things a bit. It's not like me to just fall into bed with a strange man. Especially one who is technically my boss.
JOSH: Are you calling me strange?
ELLA: Sorry! Didn't mean it that way. But thanks for the offer.
JOSH: A guy can try. If you change your mind, just text me. What about just a meal?
ELLA: You've done more than enough already but I don't want this to seem like a transaction, you know?
JOSH: I know exactly what you mean and don't do transactions. With me, everything is voluntary. It never crossed my mind that being with me was some kind of repayment. I'm helping you only because I can. Seriously. No strings of any kind or expectations.
ELLA: Thanks. I appreciate you saying that. If I change my mind, I'll text you but seriously, thanks again for all your help. You're my hero.
; JOSH: Your hero? I like that! If you change your mind about a meal, I know a nice little Italian restaurant down the street from the building with a great Italian meatball.
ELLA: A great Italian meatball? You're trying to tempt me, aren't you?
JOSH: Yes, that's my evil plan. I want to tempt you. Meatballs... MEATBALLS!
ELLA: LOL *is tempted* Okay. What girl can say no to a great meatball?
JOSH: Good. Come up to the apartment at six thirty and I'll take you for world-famous Italian meatballs. How does that sound?
ELLA: Sounds delicious. See you at six-thirty.
I stared at the screen, smiling, anticipating our meal together but I didn't want it to feel like I was having sex with him as repayment or anything. If he was going to help me, I wanted it to be only that. No matter how attracted I was to him, and him to me, if money changed hands, I'd feel too much like a prostitute. Doing sex – or feigning love – for money was the very last thing I wanted to do or have done to me, considering my engagement to Jerkface.
I remembered back to the previous night and our almost hot sex. I was a little breathless as I finished up for the morning and made plans to go buy some lunch.
"Before you go for lunch, I want to take you to meet the new boss," Sharon said. "I think he's back in his office. He's been on vacation since the death of his father and is just taking over of the business. He came back to work this Monday and will be here for the next week or so getting caught up with the business, so I haven't had a chance to introduce you. He's pretty hands-off with Dominion because he's too busy with taking over MBS but he does come for a couple of weeks every quarter."
"You mean Joshua Macintyre?" I said, wondering if I should admit that I already met him.
"Yes," Sharon said. "He's been named the new CEO."
