Page 22 of Player For Hire
She finally settled on a chocolate croissant, and it looked good enough for me to go for the same. We resumed our easy conversation as we traded favorite authors and debated whether Kevin Hearne was better than Jim Butcher. And if Brian Sanderson was going to upend the publishing business because he’d funded his own book through crowd sourcing.
The rain let up to little more than a misty drizzle as we made our way back to our building. She was fascinatingly intelligent, and I found myself writing down a few of her author recommendations in my notes app.
I also was dragging my heels instead of walking at my usual fast clip with her. I didn’t really want the outing to end.
Eventually, I couldn’t put it off any longer, thanks to the weather. I dropped my umbrella back with Murray, who was busy with the influx of Friday people coming home early from work.
On the ride up to our floor, we both fell silent.
“I had a really nice day,” she said softly.
“Me too.” It was refreshing to let a bit of my bookish self out for a conversation for once. Most of the women I’d been with had been more of the flirty party girl types or worked jobs like me.
“I had every intention of going to a coffee shop and putting in resumes all day.”
“I still say you should write for yourself. At least try it out for awhile.”
She toyed with the keys hung on her bag. “Maybe.”
“It’s okay to take something for yourself, Naomi.”
Her gaze flicked up to meet mine. “I’m not really good at doing that.”
I took a chance and stepped into her space. “Give it a try.”
She flicked her tongue out to wet her lips.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I lowered my face toward hers. She swayed toward me instead of shrinking away.
Progress.
My fingers slipped inside her coat to her waist and found the belt loop of her jeans. “I’m here for the taking. If you want me.”
Her lips parted and I was just about to kiss her when the door opened.
Someone cleared their throat behind me.
Naomi shot around me and into the hallway.
“Dammit,” I muttered.
“Sorry, man.” Eli Turner stood on the threshold of the elevator. He was a lawyer who lived on our floor in the other two-bedroom apartment across from Naomi and Iona.
“All good. Will cost you a beer though.”
Eli laughed. “Deal. If you put on some big boy clothes, I’ll even take you to lunch.” He shook his head and adjusted his tie. “You took out our lovely new neighbor in sweats?”
“I didn’t…” I let out a breath. “You know what? I did. Helluva thing.” Naomi might not have been aware of it, but we’d just had our first date.
“Sounds like a story.”
“Might be, depends on her.”
Eli glanced over his shoulder as Naomi let herself in. She paused and waved at me before she closed the door. He slapped me on the arm. “Okay, Romeo. Go put on real clothes and I’ll meet you downstairs. I could go for some Mexican.”
My stomach roared at the word.
“Guess you could too.”