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On the kitchen counter was a piece of paper with her name written in thick black letters at the top.
Beneath it read: “Went to get takeout instead. Make yourself at home.”
“Takeout,” she murmured, putting the paper back on the counter.
Figuring she’d be there a while, and because she didn’t want to go snooping or just lounge in front of the TV, she sought the washer and found it in the closet by the bathroom. She’d just pressed the button to start the load when there was a knock on the door.
She laughed and headed over to open it. Had Alex done something more like her than him? “Did you forget your own key?” The smile fell from her lips. It wasn’t Alex; a stranger stood at the threshold. “I’m sorry. Can I help you?”
“Can I help you?” the stranger asked, his confused and concerned attention descending her body.
Obviously, he hadn’t expected her. If he was looking for Alex, it would make sense to invite the guy in. Except she didn’t know if the stranger was a friend or enemy.
“Are you looking for Alex?”
“Alex…?” he said, still perusing her. “Yes, I am looking for Alex.”
Something about his voice was familiar. What was it?
“He’s not here,” she said, “but he’ll be back soon… Do you want me to tell him you stopped by?”
The harsh look on his face relaxed until a smile had taken its place. “You’re Rainie.”
At least one of them knew what was going on. “Should it flatter me you know that?”
“I should say so,” he said, raising a hand. “Lance Payne.”
Lance… Oh, shit! Alex’s boyfriend, of course.
Her smile was quick. “Oh my God,” she said on a joyous laugh. Bypassing his hand, she threw both arms around him to hug him tight. “I’m so pleased to meet you.” After kissing his cheek, she drew him inside. “Come in. Come in. Well, sorry, I don’t have to tell you that. This is your apartment too.” She closed the door and pulled him over to the couch. “Did you take his last name or did he take yours?”
“I’m sorry?”
She bounced onto the couch next to him. “You’re both Payne, right? How did you make that choice?”
“Oh, yeah, he took my name,” Lance said, relaxing into the corner of the couch. “I’m the top and he’s the bottom.”
She smiled. “Huh, I would’ve thought it was the other way around.” He frowned. “Alex went to get food. He should be back any minute.” And he wouldn’t want her hanging around when he saw who’d come to surprise him. “That’s a snappy suit. You know, Alex never told me what you do.” She went to grab her bag from the bathroom, calling out to continue the conversation. “He’s private, I guess, and wants to protect you! It’s sweet!”
“I work away a lot!” he called back.
Lance was still on the couch when she returned to the living room.
“I guess that’s why he needed a friend,” she said. “He probably gets lonely, especially being new around here. He’s a good man. You chose well.”
That smirk on his face was all pride. It warmed her heart. Tossing the strap of her bag over her head, sound from the washer reminded her it was on.
“I’m a lucky guy,” Lance said.
“I still have stuff in the washer, nothing important. I can get it whenever.”
He twisted further toward her. “Don’t run out of here on my account. I’d love to get to know you.”
“I don’t want to ruin the surprise,” she said.
His knocking on the door was a good sign he’d wanted to surprise his partner with his arrival. That Alex hadn’t mentioned a clock or other plans made the truth obvious: he hadn’t known Lance was coming.
Quick stepping it to the door, she grabbed the handle, intending to say goodbye one last time. Except before she could, the handle jerked from her grip and the door opened, sending her stumbling back a few steps.
