I walk him while sipping coffee from my travel mug. It’s nice to have an easy pace for once. Then I remember Evie had that party with her husband/boss’s family. I text her to see if we can have lunch together to see how she’s coping. She seems so panicked about her marriage.
The walk is refreshing and clears my mind after the hours of TV shows and movies I had to watch last night to clear the trauma delivered by Princess. Champ matches my pace and explores the area, sniffing any and everything. By the time we’re done, I’m finished with my morning brew. Caffeine courses pleasantly through my veins, making my brain feel lubricated and turbocharged.
When the elevator doors open on my floor, I spot Wyatt right outside his unit. He’s in a T-shirt and worn jeans.
Shouldn’t he be at work? Or maybe he’s deathly ill. Or maybe he got fired.
Or maybe he’s leaving me another bug.
I take a glance at my door. Nothing.
“Why are you still here?” I ask, suspicious. He could always pull a toad out of his pocket and throw it my way.
“Working from home today. I just drove Vi to school.”
Champ wags his tail at Wyatt. That poor dog is a terrible judge of character. He has no clue Wyatt is really evil inside.
“Do you do that a lot?” I ask. “Work from home, I mean.”
“Couple times a month, depending.”
Hmm. That’s a couple of times too often. It gives him more opportunity to train Princess to send disgusting critters my way. I wonder what fresh horrors he’s got in mind, although it will be hard to top roach-bombing my toes.
“Listen, thanks again for helping out with the dress. Without you and Josephine, Vi might not have picked such a good one. And it’s really important to her.”
I stare at him, confused and annoyed. When Wyatt’s like this, I can almost believe he’s a good guy who means well, who’s doing his best. It’s crazy because I should know better. It’s probably those blue eyes. They’re so gorgeous and earnest. When they focus on me like this, I feel like I’m not only getting his undivided attention, but absolute, soul-baring honesty.
Stop getting sucked into this. He has a plan, and it’s not good for you. Remember the roach assault by proxy.
Right. Mustn’t forget that. Ever.
“I did it for Vi,” I say. “And I bought that red dress because, despite what you think, red looks fantastic on me.” I point at my shirt for emphasis.
He looks chagrined. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s a great color for you.”
“But you said it anyway.”
He opens his mouth.
I wag a finger. “Nuh-uh. Don’t need an explanation. I know why you did it.”
“You do?”
“To mess with me because that’s how you get off.”
He gives me the strangest look, like I’m the loony tunes here. Bastard.
Since I can’t kick his ass, I add, “And I know what you’ve been doing with your cat.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep playing dumb.” I’m not fooled. He must’ve mastered some way to make his cat do what he wants. It can’t be harder than making a billion dollars. I crane my neck to look at his backside. “By the way, blue jeans make your ass look flat.”
“What?”
“I know you can’t handle the truth, but…” I shrug a shoulder.
Before Wyatt can respond, I go into my apartment, slam the door shut and toe off my shoes. That was a terrible lie. Jeans make his ass look fantastic. His ass has always been perfect. Captain America has nothing on this guy.