One Fine Date by Susan Hatler

Author:Susan Hatler [Hatler, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-25T17:21:31+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Adrian insisted that he take me back to his place to recuperate since it happened to be right there on the water. I tried to argue that a cab ride to my hotel couldn’t be more than ten minutes, but he countered that ten minutes is often the difference between life and death and that wasn’t much of a defense, but his infectious smile was and, in the end, I agreed to go to his condo more for that than any amount of seltzer water and saltine crackers.

“Please excuse the mess,” he said in the exposed-brick hallway of the renovated building near the pier. “I wasn’t expecting to play doctor this afternoon.”

He opened the door, helped me inside and then I burst out laughing. “Yeah, this place is a real pigsty!” I joked.

“Sorry . . .” Adrian rushed from the entryway, hurried across the room and put away a sole tea cup that had been on the counter. Then he fluffed the pillows on the low, crushed velvet couch, and refolded the newspaper on the coffee table so the corners lined up perfectly.

“Adrian, I was kidding,” I said, closing the door behind me while shaking my head. “Your place is so spotless it makes me wonder if you actually live here.”

He scratched the back of his neck, then lifted his gaze to meet mine. We stared at each other across the large expanse of dark gray concrete floors and then the corners of his mouth lifted. We both started laughing. Good to know he was feeling a little nervous, too.

“Please, come in,” he said, gesturing toward the couch. “Make yourself comfortable.”

I fidgeted with my fingers as I made my way toward him. My footsteps echoed around the tall ceilings of exposed black piping and I felt the same way I felt in fancy art galleries: like I was being too loud, like I shouldn’t touch anything, and like this was not a place to laugh or smile or feel.

I eased onto the edge of the couch, which despite its rich blue velvet appearance felt as hard as the concrete floors below. Adrian watched me, while I straightened my spine as if I were in etiquette class.

“Comfy?” he asked with an expectancy and eagerness that meant there was no way I could tell him the truth.

“Sure,” I said, wanting to cross my fingers behind my back.

He nodded, looking visibly more relaxed and then put a hand on my shoulder before going to the kitchen. I sat with my hands on my knees, like I was waiting outside the principal’s office.

The furniture was modern and immaculate, but clearly not lived in. The decor was stylish and trendy, but all in a muted color palate of grays like it were being viewed through an old black and white television. The walls were tall and spacious, but empty giving the sense that Adrian was either in the process of moving in or moving out.

“I’m not mistaken, am I?” I asked as he returned with a serving tray.

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