Page 317 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“We’ll see, but you have to promise me no stories with lurid details of you and Laura, okay?”

He smiled.

“She got a bit too drunk last night and sang something she called Karachi.”

I laughed and put my hand on his arm for a quick second.

“Yeah, that’s her word for karaoke when she’s too drunk. You didn’t take advantage of her, did you?”

“Me? Hell no,” he said. “Give me half-an-hour to blow your mind with my story?”

“Fine,” I said. “I’ve got company coming over later, so we have to hurry.”

“I’ll be quick.”

The look on his face made me uneasy, but I unlocked the door. We walked across the lobby to the elevators in middle of the building. I punched the button.

He looked around, shaking his head.

“I hope you’re not paying too much to live here.”

“That’s none of your business.”

Why am I bringing him upstairs? This is a huge mistake!

The elevator door slid open. He stepped in before me. I considered asking him to leave.

“Come on,” he said. “What floor?”

“The eleventh,” I said.

“Ooh, nice views. You got a balcony?”

“No, not really. There’s some railing and about half-an-inch of space so they can advertise a balcony, but it’s not functional.”

“Damn, that’s messed up. We’re gonna have to get you out of here, aren’t we?”

I smiled and nodded nervou

sly as the elevator door closed and we ascended.

Ask him a few questions then send him on his way. Easy as cake. Wait, cake isn’t easy at all. The last two I made came out flat as pancakes. Why the hell am I inviting him to my apartment?

“You okay?” he asked, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah.”

I nodded my head to reassure him and myself.

“Thanks again for this story. It will give the business some legitimacy.”

Legitimacy? That’s an odd thing to want for a new business. Or maybe it’s not.

The elevator dinged right before the door slid open. He stepped out in front of me once again. I should be with Cooper right now, not him!

“Where you at?” he asked. “I never made it up to your apartment when we were dating.”

“This way. And we went on one date,” I reminded him as I walked toward my door.