“Don’t worry about it.”
“No, I mean it.”
We spent a few minutes more talking, exchanged numbers in case any deliveries showed up for her, and said goodbye. She was heading uptown, and I was heading down, so we parted in opposite directions. After I took a few steps, I looked back over my shoulder and watched the sway of her ass. She looked just as good going as she did coming.
That made me think… I bet she looked even more incredible when she was coming. Just as I was about to turn back around, Emerie turned in my direction, and she caught me watching her walk away. She smiled big and gave a last wave before turning the corner and disappearing out of sight.
I wanted her to pay me back for today, alright.
And I could think of several ways I’d like to collect.
Emerie
I lifted my buzzing cell to my ear, catching the time as I did. Almost eleven p.m.—late for anyone to call.
“Hello?”
“Emerie?”
That voice. I didn’t have to ask who it was. In person, his voice was deep and raspy, but it was downright gravelly on the phone.
“Drew? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Because it’s sort of late.”
I heard the phone move around and then, “Shit. Sorry. I had no idea. I just looked at the time. I thought it was maybe nine.”
“Time flies when you spend most of the day in court with criminals, doesn’t it?”
“Guess so. I went back home, started to catch up on some work, then stopped in my office. I must’ve lost track of time.”
“I came back home, had a few glasses of wine, and felt sorry for myself some more. Your evening sounds way more productive. Are you still in the office?”
“Yeah. That’s what made me call you. I’m sitting here thinking that when you find a new office, it’s going to look very nice.”
What an odd thing to say. “Thank you. But what makes you say that?”
“Glass and dark wood. I like it. I would have taken you for something more girly, though.”
“What are you—oh, no. They delivered my office furniture today?”
“They did.”
“How? How did they even get in when you were with me all day?”
“My contractor was here finishing up, and I hadn’t had a chance to tell him what went down yet. He thought he was doing you a favor by letting them in.”
I banged my head against my kitchen counter, then kept my forehead pressed to it to stop from bludgeoning myself. I couldn’t catch the groan that came from my mouth, though.
“I’m sorry. I’ll deal with it right away. First thing in the morning.”
“Take your time. My stuff is still in storage. I can keep it here for a while.”
“Thank you. I’m so sorry. I’ll get on the phone first thing in the morning and make them come back and get it. Then I’ll come wait at your office so you don’t have to deal with it, if that’s okay.”
“Of course.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop saying you’re sorry, Emerie. Ex-cons are hardened. They don’t apologize. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I laughed, because it kept me from crying.
“Hello?” I knocked on the half-opened door and listened to my voice echo back to me. The door pushed open, and I was surprised to find the lobby area still empty. I thought my furniture would have been dropped here.
In the distance, I heard a voice, but couldn’t make it out. I stepped inside and yelled a little louder. “Hello? Drew?”
Rapid footsteps clanked against the new marble flooring, each step growing louder until Drew appeared from the hallway. He had his cellphone up to his ear and held up a finger as he continued with his call.
“We don’t want the house in Breckenridge. My client hates the cold. She can keep it, but it will be the only property she’s leaving this marriage with.” A pause, then, “No, I’m not nuts. After I hang up, I’m going to send you some photos of the Breckenridge property. I think they’ll convince you that Mrs. Hollister really enjoys that house.”
Just then, a FedEx deliveryman appeared with a hand truck full of boxes. Drew moved the phone from his ear to speak to him. “Give me one minute.”
Deciding the least I could do was help him out, I signed for the delivery and asked the nice delivery man to stack the boxes on top of the plastic-covered reception counter. Drew mouthed thank you and continued his call.