One Snafu Away
Delaney
My life was a disaster.
And yet somehow, all I could think about was the man walking beside me.
Dinner had gone by way too fast, and the drive back to Tessa's apartment building had gone even faster – and not because Maddox was speeding.
He wasn't. It was our lively conversation that had made the fifteen minutes feel like five.
The drive had ended the moment he parked in the underground garage beneath Tessa's building. The conversation, meanwhile, was still ongoing.
Without skipping a beat, Maddox retrieved the giant takeout bag from the backseat before falling into step beside me.
As we walked toward the building's underground entrance, I said with a laugh, "But here's the thing. If a house is haunted, why don't people just leave right away?"
"Because the movie would be only ten minutes long." He gave me an amused sideways glance. "Nobody's gonna see that."
I made a sound of protest. "But I'd see it."
"For full price? With popcorn?"
I hesitated. "Well…that I can't commit to."
"Exactly."
He sounded entirely too pleased with himself, and I gave him a playful swat to the arm. "You don't have to sound so smug about it."
He grinned. "It's not smug if I'm right."
"It is, too," I protested. "Smug is smug whether you're right or wrong."
His grin widened. "So you admit I'm right?"
"What?" I sputtered. "I admit no such thing. I'm pleading the fifth."
By now, we had reached the door leading into the building. Maddox pulled it open and motioned me forward. As we entered the basement corridor and began heading toward the elevators, he asked, "So, how long are you in town?"
Actually, that was a really good question.
During dinner, I'd mentioned in passing that I'd come to Chicago to see my sister, but I'd said nothing about a timeframe.
I'd only mentioned that I'd be staying at my sister's apartment.
This hadn't been my original plan. Sure, a sleepover with Tessa would've been terrific, but since we hadn't talked in ages, it seemed a horrible presumption to show up on her doorstep with a suitcase.
And yet, that's exactly what I'd done.
And why?
Because after my maxed out credit card was declined, the hotel had refused to check me in. Unfortunately, I had already parked my car in their underground garage and had no money to pay to get it out.
I was stuck – not just in Chicago, but here in this building, because the truth was, I had nowhere else to go, at least not until I settled things with the bank.
Damn it.
I knew I should've hit an ATM before setting out. But I hadn't, mostly because I'd figured my card would cover just about anything.
And the few dollars I did have tucked away in my wallet had been frittered away by tolls, road coffee, and that hydrangea, which I'd picked up at a little roadside stand an hour outside the city.
Technically, I'd been nearly a dollar short, but the vendor had taken pity on me, letting me buy it for the amount I had on-hand, including the scattered change in my purse.
Maddox's amused voice interrupted my thoughts. "That long, huh?"
Oh. Right. "How long am I staying? Actually, I'm not sure." I looked down at my borrowed shoes. "I guess…I should probably discuss it with my sister."
There was only one problem. Tessa wasn't here, and she wasn't returning my calls.
I was so screwed.
I was still trying to muddle through that mess when he said, "But you'll be here tomorrow, right?"
In spite of my worries, warmth bloomed in my chest. "I think so." I brightened. "What I mean is, yes, definitely."
"Good." He smiled. "Because you still owe me coffee. My treat."
I had to laugh. "But that makes no sense. If I owe you, I should be the one treating."
"Nah. What you owe me is that story of yours. And I'm still gonna collect. So, tomorrow, what's your schedule?"
Tomorrow was Sunday, and I had nowhere to be. "Actually, I'm not sure."
"So no plans?"
"Not really," I admitted. "Well…not unless my sister shows up, in which case, I'll want to spend some time with her…assuming she wants to." And then, at his puzzled expression, I explained, "It's been forever since I've seen her. She might be surprised to find me here."
And this was putting it mildly.