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“Have you lived here long?” He asks me as we step out and head across the lobby.
“Yeah, what about you?”
“I moved here after college.”
He turns left once we hit the street, and we walk down a block and a half to a deli that’s bustling with people. The smells coming from inside are amazing, and my mouth waters as we head in and up to the counter.
“I have a meeting to get back to in forty minutes,” he says almost apologetically. “I can take you out somewhere nicer for dinner.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I need to go grocery shopping and then head home.”
He nods, looking disappointed, but that can’t be right. We’re next, so I don’t have time to ponder his reaction. We each order the club sandwich and a bag of chips. Levi pays, and I thank him as we move to wait for our food.
“Were you born here in Los Angeles?” He asks, and I decide to tell him the truth. After all, he doesn’t know this Nichole either.
“Yeah, I was born here and grew up downtown.”
“Do you like it here?” He asks as our food is set on the counter for us to grab.
“It’s all I’ve ever known,” I say with a shrug. “We never had money for trips or anything.”
“I’ll take you wherever you want to go,” he says, and I blink.
I’m not sure what to make of that.
Does he mean on like work trips? He must, right?
“Is your family still local then, too?” He asks as we take a seat.
“My parents passed away a few years ago. I was an only child, so it’s just me and my best friend now.”
“Pia, I’m so sorry,” he says, and I take a bite of sandwich so I don’t have to respond.
We eat in silence for a moment, and I get distracted by the murmur of voices coming from nearby tables.
“My parents retired and moved to Colorado a few years ago. I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like to. We’ll have to take a trip soon.”
“To visit your parents?” I ask, and he nods like any of this is normal.
“How’s your sandwich?” He asks before I can ask any more questions, and I let him steer the conversation from there.
He asks me what my favorite color is, my favorite animal, my favorite TV show and movie. I learn that his favorite color was blue, but it’s recently changed to purple. He’s always wanted a dog but is worried he won’t have enough time to take care of it properly, and he doesn’t remember the last time he watched TV or went to see a movie.
We head back to the building, and Levi hurries into his office to get ready for his meeting. He rushes back out a second later and smiles at me.
“I won’t have time to go over duties today. Why don’t you take off early today and get your errands done? I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Are you sure?” I ask him, and he nods.
“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, boss,” I say with a grin as I grab my purse and push my chair in.
His smile falters when I call him boss, but it’s barely noticeable, and I’m too busy mentally making a grocery list to worry about that.
I wave as I head towards the elevator and step on. Since it’s not rush hour, it only takes me half an hour on the bus to get home. Lila is asleep on the couch, her face pale, and my good mood takes a sharp turn.
I tiptoe back to my room and change out of work clothes and into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. My diary is lying on my bedside table, and I sit down, picking it up and twirling the pen between my fingers.
