“Like how she showed up on your doorstep?”
“That was different. She was welcoming me to the neighborhood.”
“Then why didn’t you get her number?”
Charlie frowned. “I forgot. I was so caught up in the moment, I forgot to ask. Plus, her sister was with her. It would’ve been tacky.”
Will went back to looking at real estate listings on his laptop. “Then go to the party. You don’t need me. You’ve never needed me to meet women.”
“Her sister’s pretty cute, too.”
“Pass.”
Charlie let out a sigh, but he let it go and walked off. It was for his own good. Will refused to feel bad. Besides, if Charlie liked this girl, he could walk down to her house. Will settled deeper into the couch and pulled up his calculator app, comparing interest rates against hypothetical home loans. It took him a minute to realize Charlie had come back in to stare at him, a mischievous look on his face.
“What now?”
Charlie sat down on the coffee table, tapping his phone on his knee. “I didn’t want to have to do this, but I just texted Caroline and told her I was going to the block party, and that you’d be sitting on the couch all alone, watching movies tonight. She said she’ll be done grocery shopping in a half-hour and can’t wait to join you.”
Will snapped his laptop shut. “I can’t believe you would use your sister’s crush on me for your own evil designs.”
Charlie laughed. “But it’s so convenient.”
“When is she going to stop babying you and go home, anyway? You can buy your own groceries, you know.”
“She’s leaving tomorrow morning. Which means tonight is her last chance to spend time with you. Do you want it in a public place or in a snuggly place? It’s an awfully comfortable couch you’re sitting on.”
“I hate you.”
Charlie only laughed harder.
“I will not be sitting on this couch all night anyway. I found a hiking trail right behind the house and I was planning on going for a run.”
“What about after that? Come on, Will. Come to the block party. They’re hiring a D.J.”
“Stop it, you’re making it sound worse.”
***
“Look who I found in L.A.!” Lydia sang out, sailing through the door Friday afternoon. She had on a new pair of sunglasses, her hair was freshly highlighted, and she had shopping bags swinging on each arm. “Mary’s home for the weekend.”
“Let me help you with those.” Elsie reached out and took the shopping bags, and Lydia smiled benevolently, not aware that Elsie had no intention of giving them back.
Kat and Mary came in the door, and Elsie gave them each an armless hug before walking out, still holding the designer bags.
“Wait a minute.” Lydia shoved past them and followed Elsie outside. “Where are you going with those? I need them in my room upstairs.” As if Elsie was her personal assistant.
Elsie turned around in mock surprise. “As soon as you pay me for them, I’ll be happy to return them to you. Jane and I might try on some things first, though.”
Lydia did what she did best. She scrunched up her face and screamed at the top of her lungs. “Mom! Maaahaam!”
Normally, Elsie didn’t mind the spectacle. The other neighbors were used to it, but she nervously glanced at the rental house, hoping the two new guys were gone for the day.
Mrs. Bennet wasn’t hurrying as fast as Lydia had hoped, so she turned and charged Elsie. Lydia wasn’t a fast runner, but she also wasn’t burdened down with shoe boxes and Gucci bags. Elsie sprinted as quickly as she could to her front door and ran inside, slamming it shut in Lydia’s face.
“You won’t get away with this, Elsie!” Lydia yelled through the door. “Like you even care about fashion.”
“I care about money,” Elsie called back. “I had to pay off Mom and Dad’s credit card and then close their account. So hand over that useless card, get a job, and start paying me back.”
