The doors closed, and I forced myself to forget about Noah and focus on my date.
“Are you friendly with your neighbor?”
My gaze lifted to Micah’s face. “Why do you ask?”
“You didn’t say hello. Do you not get along?”
“We only met once. I hardly see him.” Because I’m excellent at avoidance.
“No need to get defensive, Avery. I was only asking a question. If there’s a problem with your neighbor, we could see about having you moved to a different floor.”
I swallowed a laugh. The high demand building didn’t have vacancies unless someone passed away or got evicted. No one voluntarily left such luxury. Even the apartments on the surrounding blocks had waiting lists. Yet, I somehow knew Micah could have me moved within one business day.
“I love my apartment, Micah. I’m sure my neighbor and I won’t have any issues.”
“Good.”
He escorted me through the lobby, and my gaze snagged on the copy of Cosmo resting by the row of brass mailboxes. My guilty pleasure. I intended to devour the magazine in bed tonight after Micah dropped me off.
5
Avery
After another pleasant evening out, Micah escorted me to the elevator, and my gaze lingered on the row of mailboxes, not a single piece of mail littering the mantle. Someone better have stuck my magazine in my box, or there was going to be a problem.
After a polite goodbye and a soft kiss on my brow, I said goodnight and stripped out of my gown. Plucking the pins from my hair, I searched for my slippers. There was really nothing quite as lovely as pajamas and slippers.
Heading back down to the lobby, not caring about my appearance at one a.m., I unlocked my mailbox and—
Empty.
Frowning, I scanned the antique tables decorating the pristine sitting room of our lobby. Nothing.
Beyond the lobby sat the main vestibule. The doorman sat behind an ornate desk with his back to the security monitors, his focus on his phone and an amused grin pulling at his caramel lips.
“Winston, did someone throw away the mail that was on the mantle?”
He looked more alertly in my direction, straightening his posture and adjusting the visor of his black Pershing hat. “No, ma’am. That would be a federal offense. Are you missing something?”
“Someone stole my magazine.”
He raised his brow, and I heard how stupid the accusation sounded. People in this building didn’t steal magazines. If they were set on stealing anything, embezzling millions seemed a more appropriate crime for their tax bracket. But someone had taken my magazine.
“Perhaps it didn’t get delivered yet.”
But I saw it there earlier. “You’re sure no one messed with the mail?”
He straightened the notched lapel of his jacket, the gold trim matching the cuffs and creases of his pants. “You’re the only one who had an outside guest in the building this evening. Well, you and Mr. Wolfe.”
“Mr. Wolfe?”
Winston grinned. “Your neighbor.”
Wolf, lion, thief… Regardless, he was dangerous.
“Oh.”
Wait…
Trying not to appear overly curious in my neighbor’s life, I casually asked, “He had company tonight?” Was his guest male or female?
“Just a supper delivery, but I watched the cameras the entire time the man was in the building, and he didn’t go near the mailboxes, Ms. Johansson.”
My gaze darted to the surveillance screen. Five views captured the front entrance, each floor, and the lobby. “Can you see who did?”
“Uh, I could, but that involves rolling back the tapes and interrupting the feed. I’m not the person to do that. I’m sure it’s just a simple misunderstanding, another neighbor mistaking the magazine for their own. How about I give you the four dollars to purchase a new one and from now on I’ll ask the mailman to leave any extra items for you at my desk?”
I sounded like an idiot, making a big deal out of a four-dollar magazine. Swallowing my disappointment, I shook my head.
“No, that won’t be necessary. It’s just a magazine. Thanks anyway.”
But it was my magazine, and someone took it. Who the fuck steals a Cosmo?
Jamming my finger against the elevator button, I stepped inside. There went my big plans for the remainder of the night. I should probably get some sleep anyway.
Tomorrow I had school and tomorrow night I had a date with Josh. Josh was a regular, in his forties, what most women would consider dull, but he had a sweet personality, and I’d come to enjoy his anecdotes.
6
Avery
After class, I rushed through my routine and had my hair blown out into sexy waves and my makeup done in a matter of thirty minutes. Josh didn’t do fancy. He enjoyed ordinary things, but with some guaranteed company.
I never had to load on the makeup or wear more than a pair of trendy jeans and a cute shirt with him. He said he liked my hair down and thought women were prettiest when they looked like they weren’t wearing any makeup at all. I couldn’t do zero makeup, but I made it look like I could.