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“Oh, what about King?” He stroked the lab’s ears.
“I guess he could come,” she said uncertainly. “Other people have pets.”
“He’ll be good, and quiet. I promise.”
She led them inside and past the elevators to the stairs. They started up the staircase. It seemed narrower than a normal staircase, maybe that was an illusion caused by the fact that his heart beat louder when he climbed beside her.
He paused to tie his shoe, letting her get ahead, and giving himself a chance to breathe. It wasn’t the exertion; it was her presence stealing his breath. He looked up from his shoe and realized he’d made a strategic error. Walking beside her might be difficult, but watching her long legs ahead of him on the stairs was pure torture. He jogged a couple stairs until he was beside her on the third-floor landing.
“How high are we going?” he asked.
“This is it. Were the stairs too much for you? I always take the stairs. Well, except when I have groceries.” She laughed at herself.
“I’m good. But those ribs are sitting heavy right now. I ate way too much. Mom makes the best barbecue ribs.” He massaged his belly as they left the stairwell.
“She does make good ribs. I could have eaten more, but I know better.” She lifted the reusable grocery bag in her hand. “I can’t believe she gave me leftovers. I can’t wait until dinner tomorrow. Everything was amazing. That chocolate cake was divine.”
“That cake was from the bakery.” Zander laughed. “Mom can cook, but she can’t bake.”
“Oh no. I spent so much time complimenting her on it. I’m so embarrassed.” Her cheeks turned the most adorable pink as she unlocked the door.
“Don’t worry about it. Mom was pleased. I think she believes she’s fooling us all.”
“That’s good. Coffee, or something else?”
He could tell she was still bothered by praising the cake, but he let the subject drop. “Have you got any beer?”
“I’ve got wine but not beer.” She waved to the table in the small eating alcove. “Take a seat and I’ll scare something up.”
She moved around the kitchen with confident actions that didn’t surprise him. Her light humming did. Did she hum when she worked at the inn? He was curious to find out. He forced himself to look around the apartment instead of staring at her. It was furnished simply. Wooden coffee and end tables, a bright red sofa and a couple of tan chairs. A small television and stereo. Brightly colored art prints on the walls, and books everywhere. It was homey. He wondered if the décor was hers or her roommate’s.
“Want to watch something on television?” he asked when she set the wine and glasses on the table. King immediately stretched out on the throw rug.
“I’m not much for TV. How about a game of Scrabble?” she countered. “Bet I can beat you.”
“You’re on. I haven’t lost a game of Scrabble in years.” His mom taught him to play when he was a kid. They’d started with Scrabble Junior and eventually moved up to the adult game. None of his siblings had a taste for the game, but he loved playing against his mom. He even wasted time with a Scrabble app on his phone. It was the only digital game he played. He didn’t play often, just a few moves now and then. Typically, he won, unless he played the computer in expert mode.
He carried the wine to the coffee table while Heather went into the bedroom and came out with the deluxe version of the game. The one with pieces that stayed in place if the board shifted. She settled cross-legged on the end of the three-seater couch and put the game on the middle cushion. “Letter closest to A goes first.” She shook the purple cloth bag that held the tiles and held it out to him as he sat across from her.
He pulled an H. She pulled a V. “Your move,” she declared and started arranging tiles on her rack. His letters were terrible, and he managed only eight points with sate. She played absolute using the S in his word. “I get fifty extra points for using all my letters,” she gloated. “You’re going down.”
They played two games and chatted, getting to know each other better. The score was close in both games.
Heather’s phone rang. She glanced at it and declined the call.
“Did you need to get that?” he asked. “I don’t mind.”
“No. It was just my ex. He started calling last week. I have nothing to say to him and there is nothing he can say that I want to hear. The man is scum.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” It was odd that her ex would start calling. In her place, he’d want to know what the man wanted. He’d probably answer just for the chance to tell him off.
At the end of the second game he said, “I should go, and you better get to bed. I know you’re up early to make breakfast at the inn.”
She glanced at the clock. “Wow. I didn’t know it was that late. You’re right.” They packed up the board. “Thanks for the game. Are you sure you should drive home? We drank a bottle and a half of wine.”
He was probably fine, but the idea of staying near Heather was enticing. “Maybe I should stay. I don’t feel impaired, but there’s no sense risking a DUI or hurting someone. Do you mind?”
“No. You can take the couch.” While he took the dog outside for a moment, she found him an unused toothbrush.
