She kept going, as if she didn’t say it now, she’d lose her grip. "He’ll be here in less than two weeks. I feel like I’m out of time.Is there… is there anyone here who could give me a quick tour? Just a walkthrough?"
She paused, eyes flicking between Arturo and me, lingering just a second too long when she caught me watching.
Then she looked back at him. "Please. I know it’s not ideal. But this matters. I need to get this right for them. Mostly for my sister-in-law and the girls."
Arturo hesitated, then glanced at me.
"Well… Mr. Callahan lives in the building. Maybe he could answer some of your questions."
She turned to look at me directly for the first time. Up close, the resemblance was even sharper. I could smellherperfume. I managed a nod, but didn’t speak. My brain was stuck in a loop it didn’t know how to exit.
Arturo shifted behind the desk, sensing the awkward silence. "He lives in an '04 unit, same layout as the one your brother's interested in."
She glanced between us, curious. "Really? Same floor plan?"
I nodded again, finally managing a sound. "Yeah. Practically identical."
"Would you mind—" she hesitated, her voice softening just slightly. "Would you mind telling me a bit about it? Like how the layout works? Do you hear street noise? What’s the light like in the mornings?"
Before I knew what I was saying, I heard the words leave my mouth. "I could show you mine."
Arturo blinked. She did too.
Smooth, Callahan. Just what every woman wants to hear from a stranger in the lobby,Icould show you mine.
I cleared my throat. "My apartment. Just to see the layout. If that helps."
She tilted her head, the tiniest smile lifting one corner of her mouth.
"I’d understand if going into a stranger’s apartment makes you uncomfortable," I added quickly.
But she shook her head. "You know how many apartments I’ve toured in the last two weeks? They’ve all been with strangers."
Then she actually smiled. "But I would very much appreciate seeing your apartment’s layout. Thank you for offering."
She turned back to Arturo. "If I’m not back in fifteen minutes, call the police."
He laughed. "The only thing you’re at risk of, is him offering to make you risotto."
She looked puzzled. "Risotto?"
I gave Arturo a look. "Hey. You know it’s the best risotto you’ve ever had."
He raised his hands in mock surrender.
Why do I care what she thinks? I’m just showing her a floor plan, not asking her to dinner.
We turned toward the elevator. She stepped beside me, quiet, composed. As we waited, I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.
Still not sure what was happening.
As we stepped off the elevator, I shifted the package in my arms, to fish out my key card. It wasn’t graceful.
"Here," she said, reaching out. "Let me hold that while you find your key."
I handed her the box. She tilted it slightly, hearing the soft thump of its contents. "Let me guess. Books?"
"Guilty as charged," I said, a little sheepish.
