Page 5 of No Headlines Please

Call It Curiosity

Delaney

I stared up at him. Coffee?

He didn't sound like he was flirting. He didn't look like it either, because for one thing, he still wasn't smiling.

I would've killed for a coffee right about now – even if it was almost dinner time. But nothing about this was adding up.

I was a mess. He was all clean lines and composure – well, except for the mess on his shirt. And as far as my wallet, it was so empty, there were surely dust bunnies floating around inside.

I found myself studying him again. His dark hair was short and neat. His jaw was square and lightly stubbled. His eyes were dark and steady, like he was sizing me up.

I heard myself ask, "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why would you want coffee with me?" And then it hit me. "Unless you're saying I should run out and get you one?"

Now I felt like a fool, because for a moment there, I'd thought he was asking me out.

I almost snorted. As if.

Still, a latte to-go would surely be cheaper than a laundry bill – except I still had no money.

I tried to think. Maybe if I sold the hydrangea?

Yeah, right.

To who?

Plus, I didn't want to sell it. I'd already lugged it halfway across town, which made it the closest companion I had.

Instinctively, I clutched it tighter as somewhere outside, tires squealed and a car honked. I braced for the sounds of a crash, but all I heard was the ding of the elevator.

When I turned to look, I saw a sleek silver-haired woman step out in a tailored navy suit. Her heels clicked softly against the tile floor as she strode purposefully toward the main entrance. She was nearly there when she stopped short and stared down at the mess.

She stiffened and then turned in my direction. Her gaze settled on the hydrangea.

With a little wince, I called out, "Uh, yeah, that was me. Sorry about that!"

Her eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

Still, I forced a friendly smile. "But don't worry…I'm gonna clean it up, I promise."

Her mouth thinned as her gaze shifted from me to my battered suitcase. Without a word, she turned away, stepped neatly around the mess, and continued through the door as if I hadn't spoken.

The guy in the suit barely looked. With his eyes trained on me, he said, "If I wanted a delivery, I'd say so."

With everything else, it took me a moment to pick up the threads of our conversation. Right. The coffee. I cleared my throat. "So…not a fetching situation?"

His mouth didn't even twitch. "No."

I looked down, taking stock of my appearance. My thin white shirt had been fresh and clean this morning. Now, it was damp, streaked with dirt, and probably clinging in ways I didn't want to contemplate. Absently, I tried to recall which bra I was wearing.

Could he see that bra now?

At least he couldn't see my panties, not through my jeans, so that was something.