Page 50 of Only Lovers in the Building

“I want to explain what happened with Bella and apologize properly.”

“Not tonight.”

“Tomorrow?” he suggested.

“Not tomorrow, either.”

“When?”

“We don’t have to talk, and you don’t have to apologize,” she said. “It’s summer! Let’s forget it ever happened.”

“It’s summer yearlong here,” he said, suggesting there was no point squirreling away tough talks for the winter.

“I don’t live here, do I? Your logic doesn’t apply,” Lily said.

“I give up.”

Ben ran a palm down his face, looking suddenly weary. He’d had a tough week. Good thing the weekend was ahead.

“When can we meet for book club?” she asked.

“Tomorrow morning, if you’re free.”

“Like a bird.”

“See you tomorrow, little bird,” he said. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

In the morning, a bold sun greeted them, and their lounge chairs sat empty by the pool. Lily and Ben eased into their roles as if nothing had happened. It was time to get back to scheduled programming. They stretched out to read for a bit. Lily finished Spring Fever and Ben put a dent in it. After a swim, they gathered their things and headed inside for breakfast.

In the elevator, riding to their floor, he reached for her hand, linking a finger around hers. This was the proper apology and a silent reassurance that they were okay. Lily swayed with relief. To think they could have lost this.

Ben let her into his apartment, and that marked the end of their quiet, cozy morning. Roxanna greeted them at the door, stern-faced, as if they were teens breaking curfew. She wore a floral dress, and her dark hair was gathered in a loose ponytail. Lily had only ever seen her in the T-shirt and jeans she wore to work at the bar.

“Finally!” Roxanna cried. “I’ve been waiting forever.”

“I didn’t know you were stopping by,” Ben said.

“I texted an hour ago!”

“I was reading with Lily. We silenced our phones.”

It was déjà vu, except with his cousin. The women in Ben’s life were the bold sort.

Roxanna turned to Lily with a knowing little smirk. “What are you two reading?”

“Spring Fever,” Lily answered.

“Funny. This looks like Summer Love to me.”

“Quit it,” Ben warned.

“We’re just friends,” Lily said.

Roxanna raised her hands. “It’s none of my business!”

“It isn’t,” Ben said. “In the future, please remember that.”