Page 42 of Only Lovers in the Building

“No. He’s reading The Warren Buffett Way.”

“Again?”

They’d made it back to The Icon. The building was quiet this Sunday night. Most of the apartment windows reflected the blue light of television screens.

Inside, they rode up to their floor. Ben walked her to her door and waited for her to find her key. Lily opened her bag and searched and searched and searched.

“What’s the matter? Can’t find your keys?” Ben asked.

“No. I hope I didn’t leave them behind.”

“Let’s check.”

He pulled out his phone and placed a call to someone named Randy. “Hey! Did I leave anything behind? Keys and a bag of soap? Thanks, man.”

Lily covered her eyes with her hands. “The soap, too!”

“Sorry,” Ben said. “He’s left them at the register. I’ll pick them up in the morning.”

Lily grabbed her doorknob and rattled it. What would she do until then? “Do you think Dr. Jake would be willing to bring me a spare?”

“It’s past eight on a Sunday night, and he’s got two kids.”

Lily let out a sigh. “Maybe we could drive over?”

Ben gave her a look, as if he were waiting for her to see reason.

“What?” she demanded.

“I have to take you in,” he said. “It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

She moved away from him, but there was nowhere to go. “That won’t be necessary.”

“I can’t have you sleeping out in the hall, Lily.”

She rattled the doorknob again, harder this time. “It won’t come to that!”

“I’ll feed you and give you a warm place to sleep,” he whispered as if speaking to a petrified cat. “And I’ll be on my best behavior.”

That only meant she’d have to be on her best behavior, too. How was that fun?

“Would you be more comfortable at Noah’s or Kylie’s?” he asked.

“I’d be more comfortable with you,” she admitted.

“I would hope so.” Ben found his keys with no problem and unlocked his door. “Welcome, neighbor. Mi casa es su casa.”

Lily pushed past him. “Please, no clichés! I won’t last the night.”

Chapter Twelve

Ben switched on the lights and moved a stack of books off the round dining table to the kitchen island. “Would you like to shower?”

She desperately needed one. It was a hot June night, and the walk from the bookstore had left her sweaty. “I don’t have anything to change into.”

Lily supposed she could sleep in the airy linen dress she wore to the day spa, but honestly, she didn’t want to.

“Take something of mine,” he said. “Believe it or not, I’ve had women stay the night. We’ve always managed.”