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It was still hard to believe the rent here was so freaking cheap, and what’s more, Thalia told me she wasn’t even keeping the money I paid her. My monthly deposits went straight into her little brother’s account.
The chick had to be loaded, which yeah… Must be nice.
But I guess Thalia had never actually paid for the placeherself, either. Her aunt had owned it first, or something like that, and she’d left it to the two siblings. But still… If I was them, I’d at least charge what the place was worth. Make a little more off the top, if you know what I mean.
When I entered the hallway, I paused. This was my least favorite part of the whole apartment. It was still very opulent with a chandelier and grand, polished hardwood flooring; I’d just never been a fan of long, stretchy corridors. They always reminded me of creepy movies, likeThe Shining. And this one was particularly narrow. And echoey.
All the doors branching off from it were closed, too. There was one at each end: one that Thalia had said went up to the attic and the other went out onto a miniature patio on the roof which led around to the outside second-floor balcony. I’d eaten supper out there last night. It’d been awesome. Very posh.
Then there was the door that led into Thalia’s room, which I’d never seen open either, so I’d felt weird about leavingmineopen. Shutting my door behind me, I started for the stairwell that was located next to the attic entrance, the old wood creaking underfoot. And as I passed Thalia’s room, I knocked three times, which was something I’d started to do every morning as I passed by, just to see if she was around.
But she never was.
“Good morning, Thalia!” I called cheerfully. “Rise and shine.”
When a muted groan answered from within, I paused, surprised to actually hear an answer. “Oh, hey! You’re home. Sorry, I hope I didn’t wake you.”
I bit my lip until Thalia blearily croaked, “No…no... I’m good. Wide awake.”
I laughed. “Yeah, it sounds like it. Hey, I’m about to make myself some breakfast. You want anything?”
“No thanks,” she answered with a hearty yawn. “I’m going to be heading out soon.”
“You sure?” I coaxed. “I’d be willing to share my beloved French vanilla cappuccino with you for the road.”
“Aww, you’re such a doll. But nope. I’m good. Have a good day, though.”
“Alright,” I said with a shrug. “You too.”
When I had moved in, she’d told me I would be responsible for getting my own food, and she hadn’t been kidding. The cabinets and refrigerator had been utterly bare with only a box of baking soda in the fridge. It seemed so strange to me that she didn’t even have bottled water or coffee to snag before she was out the door again.
But to each their own, I guess.
I turned at the opening of the stairwell and bounded down the metal steps, gripping the railing as I went.
After my initial visit, I’d thought the ground floor had been completely open, like a studio apartment, but there was actually a small, easily overlooked doorway under the stairs that led into a short hall, where a utility room with a washer and dryer, plus a broom closet and half-bath were located. And at the end of that hall was another exit out the back way, where two snug parking places were tucked behind the townhouse in place of a backyard.
I made my way toward the front kitchen area, needing caffeine in my system, stat.
Barefoot and wearing a pair of short, plaid night shorts plus a tight cami with lace fringe and the wordsSweet Dreamsstretched across my breasts, I padded across the floor, straight to the single-serve coffeemaker on the kitchen counter.
“More French vanilla for me, then,” I sang to myself as I dragged a mug from the cupboard to set it under the spout before slotting in a pod.
Humming to myself as the machine grumbled and complained and finally spat out my morning brew, I pulled a yogurt from the fridge and then hunted up some fruit, settling on a cup of mixed blueberries, raspberries, and a banana.
When Thalia came prancing down the steps fifteen minutes later in an all-white romper, lime green high heels, a thick belt to match, and a small gold change purse, I was still seated on my stool at the bar, sipping my daily dose of get-up-and-go, only about half-awake. She even had full makeup on as if she were spending a night out on the town with her hair slicked back and pulled up severely into a tight, tidy bun, along with big hoop earrings dangling above each shoulder.
I sat up and lifted my eyebrows. “Wow. You look like a million bucks.”
Once she stepped off the stairs, she grinned and dramatically posed for me again, lifting one arm above her head and propping a hand against her hip as she kicked a foot up behind her. Then she tilted her chin my way and batted her lashes. “Why…thank you.”
“But where’re you going, all spiffed up like that?” I asked.
With a wink, she shot back, “Wouldn’t you like to know.” Then, she blew me a kiss and turned around to head down the back hall. “Toodles!”
A second after she disappeared completely, I heard the back door open and close.
“Toodles,” I called lamely, still blinking at where she’d just been standing, all glitzy and glamorous.
