Throw Away the Key

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Fuck, I knew I was moving too fast. Oh God…. Shit, shit, shit!” She whispered to herself, as she sat at the top of the stairs of the apartment building. She pulled out her phone and looked up Sadie's contact information to send her a text.

Hey Sadie, this is Emma… I am so, so sorry. Are you home or near home? I locked myself out again. I swear I didn't mean to do it!! I was moving too quickly to get to work and I just… I'm so sorry. I apologize in advance, but if you happen to be around, I could really use your help. I'm already late for work.

After she sent the message, she bit her lip and stood to her feet, throwing her hands in the air. She began pacing back and forth, gesturing wildly as she spoke. “This is crazy. How do I keep doing this to myself? I literally looked at them and then what did I do? I must have gotten distracted….”

“Do you always talk to yourself? I could come back if you need a minute.” Sadie stood at the bottom of the stairs, the door to her apartment wide open. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she watched with amusement.

Emma’s mouth dropped open as she pushed her braids behind her shoulder. “Oh, hi. Sorry, I didn’t hear you come out. I was just trying to recount my steps and see where I went wrong.”

Sadie’s head tilted to the side as she continued to regard Emma’s frazzled state. “Listen, this can't happen all the time. I really do have other things that I could be doing.”

“No, I completely understand. It won’t happen again.” I hope. Please don’t let it happen again.

Emma watched Sadie as she walked up the stairs. She wore a form fitting black V-neck t-shirt with faded blue jeans ripped at the knees. The shirt clung to the slight curve of her breasts, tiny orbs poking through the thin fabric, catching Emma's eye.

She swallowed as her lips parted slightly.

Sadie wore small hoops in her ears–the only jewelry Emma could see. Her hair appeared to be freshly cut. Her bare face had a dewy glow, and Emma noticed more detail of Sadie’s ink this time around–a thorny vine of flowers intricately wrapped around her forearm.

“I really like your hairstyle,” Emma thought out loud. We really could have done better than that, Em.

“Thanks.”

She pressed on, the clipped tone feeding her anxiety. “I just don't feel like everybody can pull that off, but it really suits you.” She glanced sideways again. “You have really striking cheekbones.”

Sadie slowed and reared her head back slightly. “Uh, thanks?”

So random. Emma choked out a laugh. “Sorry, I talk a lot when I get nervous.”

Sadie reached the top of the stairs, brushing past Emma. Her musky scent was lightly floral with hints of vanilla. “Why are you nervous?” Sadie asked as she slid a key in the door.

“I just, you know, I want to make a good impression, and I feel like I haven't been.”

Sadie shrugged. “You're fine. I don’t mind helping you out, but maybe this won’t become a weekly thing?”

“Of course,” Emma rushed inside the apartment, grabbing her keys and running back out the door. Sadie remained there. “Thank you so much. I won’t bother you with this again, I promise, but I really appreciate it and I'll make it up to you.”

“There's no need for all of that,” Sadie replied with a wave of her hand. “It was just a locked door. It’s not like you lost the keys or anything. This was an easy fix.”

Emma nodded, Sadie’s scent tempting her to draw closer. She swallowed as her eyes met Sadie’s dark brown gaze, thick, curly lashes framing her eyes. She had a tiny beauty mark at the peak of her left cheekbone, just below the corner of her eye. The intensity of her stare sent swirls through Emma’s chest as she wet her lips with the tip of her tongue.

“Well, I've gotta get back to deal with some paperwork, but I hope that you make it to work safely and have a good day,” Sadie blinked, finally breaking eye contact. She pressed her fingers together and lifted her elbows, cracking her knuckles as she moved to jog down the steps.

“Thanks, you too. Um, don't work too hard!” Emma called after her as she rattled the door knob to make sure it was locked. Of course it’s locked, it locks automatically–that was the problem in the first place. She sighed and rested her forehead against the door. Damn, she looked good.

At work, she relayed what happened to Zora and Granny, who listened with amusement. “I know historically I lose things all the time, but now I’m not even losing things–I’m just forgetting them.”

“Technically, you forgot all the things that you lost–you didn’t remember you’d brought them or where you put them. It’s all in the same wheelhouse, but at least make copies of your key and give them to us so you can stop bothering her.”

“Oh my god, I’m the annoying neighbor!” Emma exclaimed. She pulled a pile of paperbacks off of a cart for the counter display. A coffee shop instrumental playlist sounded through the bookstore speakers.

“Well, she probably wouldn't have a reason to have any issue with you if you would stop creating more work for her,” Zora suggested. “It’s not major work, but I doubt any of the other tenants have this issue.

The bell on the front door jingled as a couple walked in to browse. The two were regulars–they waved in Zora’s direction before heading over to the display of new releases and staff picks. A couple of families with small children searched the colorful array of illustrated covers in the kid’s section while they waited for Granny’s storytime.

Emma sighed. “Damn, that's a good point. I really am the worst.”

“You're not the worst,” Zora assured her. “You were just in a rush. When you’re running late, you’re kind of all over the place. It happens!”

“Yeah,” Emma imagined Sadie rolling her eyes at the text that morning. From there, her mind roamed to the fit of Sadie’s shirt and the headiness of her scent. “I complimented her today. Maybe she will take it easy on me.”

“Oh, so you did take another look,” Zora tilted her head, waiting for more. Her mane of curls tipped to the side.

“I did, and you’re right–she's very attractive. She probably would be someone that I would go after. She’s got that edge with a hint of softness…” Emma gave a chef’s kiss. “If she’s into women, which I don’t actually know yet…” I can’t tell if she sees me, but I definitely see her.

“I mean, it might be worth finding out,” Zora, winked at her. “She's definitely sexy.”

“She is, but I don’t know.”

“Whatchu mean?”

“Nothing about her mannerisms indicates that she's feelin’ me.” It’s the exact opposite. Sadie’s scowl and standoffish body language came to mind.

“Well, as Granny said, time will tell. But I think she just needs a chance to see you in a different light–one where she’s not constantly having to unlock doors for you.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that I could match with, so I'm not really concerned with my landlady. That being said, I should probably get her a little gift to thank her because it's, what, two days in a row where I've locked myself out? I'm sure she thinks that it's going to be an all the time thing and she's regretting her decision to let me move in.”

“As long as you pay the rent, I don't think she's gonna regret it. Unless you become a complete nuisance.” Zora placed a pile of hardcover books on the counter and began applying sale stickers.

“True. I should go to the hardware store this weekend for copies.”

“The gift idea is cute though,” Zora nodded. “Well, what are you gonna get her?”

“I figured…” she pointed to Brian over at the coffee kiosk. “Kerri's Bakery really is that girl.” A salted caramel latte is calling my name right now…

Zora laughed. “True. A woman after my own heart. Hell, that would work for me. Or is that what you were hoping–to woo her with sweets?”

“She doesn’t strike me as the easily wooed type. Wanna come with me and help me pick out the things that might be best?” Emma hooked a finger toward the spot where Granny stood sipping an iced chai with oat milk–she had it one time and was completely hooked.

“Okay!” Zora's face lit up as they strolled to the kiosk.

“Brian,” Emma called across the room in a flirty tone. “I hope y'all are stocked up because I need some goodies.”

Brian smiled bashfully. “Well, if we don't have it, Kerri's planning to drop off some more pastries later, so just tell me what you want and we can get it.

“Even better.” Zora rubbed her hands together. “This is gonna be fun.”

Emma pushed her playfully and cackled. “These ain’t for you, heffa!”

Zora pouted. “You right.”

“I mean, you can have something too. But help me build a box of goodies that says something like ‘thanks for helping me out.’”

“Nah, you need one that says ‘help me help you… outta them clothes.’” Zora burst out laughing and Granny tittered bashfully. Brian looked like he wanted to fade into the background.

Emma pursed her lips as she rolled her eyes. “I really hate you sometimes.”

“Same, bookie.”