A thrill skittered through my stomach. 'Yes, but I didn't say
'The ball's in your court,' Morelli said.
I'd heard that before!
Grandma was waving to me from the other end of the room. 'Yoo-hoo,' she called, 'come here a minute.'
'I have to go,' I said to Morelli.
He took the pen from my bag and wrote his number on the back of
'The viewing is almost over,' Grandma said. 'We're all going over to Mabel's house to see her new bedroom set and have some coffee cake. Do you want to come with us?'
'Thanks, but I think I'll pass. I'll see you tomorrow.'
'Thank you for everything,' Mabel said to me. 'I like this new garbage company you got me much better.'
* * * * *
I PARKED THE Buick and took a moment to enjoy the night. The air was crisp and the sky was starless and black. Lights were on in my building. The seniors were watching TV. The bombers and rapists were gone, and this little part of Trenton felt safe again. I walked into the building and went to the bank of mailboxes to collect my mail. A credit card bill, a dental reminder, and an envelope from RangeMan. The RangeMan envelope contained a check for the chauffeuring job. A note was included with the check. It was hand-written from Ranger. 'Glad the Lincoln survived, but locking it in a garage is cheating.' I remembered his kiss, and I got another one of those skittery thrills.
I ran up the stairs, let myself into my apartment, locked the door behind me, and took stock. My apartment was nice and neat. I'd spent the weekend cleaning. No dishes on the counter. No socks on the floor. Rex had a clean cage, and the pine shavings smelled foresty. It all felt welcoming. And safe. And private. And intimate.
'I should invite someone over,' I said to Rex. 'After all, the apartment's all cleaned. I mean, how often does that happen, right? And my legs are shaved. And I have this great dress that I've never worn.'
Rex gave me a look that told me in no uncertain terms he knew exactly what I was after.
'Okay,' I said. 'So what's the big deal? I'm an adult. I have adult urges.'
I thought about Ranger again, and tried to imagine what he'd be like in bed. And then I thought about Joe. I knew exactly what Joe was like.
This was a dilemma.
I got two pieces of paper, wrote Joe's name on one and Ranger's on the other. I dumped the two names into a bowl, closed my eyes, mixed them up, and picked one. Let God decide, I thought.
I read the name and cracked my knuckles. I hoped God knew what he was doing. I showed the paper to Rex, and he looked disapproving, so I covered his cage with a dish towel.
I did the speed-dial thing before I lost my nerve.
'I have this dress I'd like your opinion on,' I said when he answered.
A beat went by. 'When would you like this opinion?'
'Now.'
* * * * *
I SUPPOSE THERE'S a time and place for everything—and this was the time for the slinky black dress. I tugged it over my head and smoothed it out. The fit was perfect. I shook my head to fluff up my hair, and I sprayed some Dolce Vita on my wrist. I slipped my feet into the sexy ankle-strap heels and retouched my lipstick. Bright red.
I lit a candle on the coffee table and another in the bedroom. I dimmed the lights. I heard the elevator doors open down the hall, and my heart jumped in my chest. Get a grip, I told myself. No reason to be nervous. This is the will of God.
Baloney, a voice whispered in my head. You cheated. You peeked when you picked.
Okay, so I cheated. Big deal. The important thing is that I picked the right man. Maybe he wasn't right forever and ever, but he was right for tonight.
I opened the door on the second knock. Didn't want to seem overly anxious! I stepped back and our eyes met, and he showed no sign of the nervousness I felt. Curiosity, maybe. And desire. And something else—maybe the need to know this was what I wanted.
'Howdy,' I said.
He looked amused at that, but not amused enough to smile. He stepped forward into the foyer, closed the door, and locked it. His breathing was slow and deep, his eyes were dark, his expression serious as he studied me.
'Nice dress,' he said. 'Take it off.'
