42nd & Lex Read Free Page A

else?” I ask. “Trust me; I have heard
it all in here. He likes porn, plays too many video games, watches too much
Sports Center, or chews with his mouth open?”
    She shifts forward in the chair, looking
around as if to see if we are being watched. I’m thinking this is a perfect
time for Max to walk in his radar having picked up on whatever juicy tidbit Sarah
is about to unveil, but maybe it’s only me he’s tuned into.
    “No, none of that. Those things I could
probably deal with given enough shopping, chocolate, and wine.” She filled her
pause with a nervous laugh. “It’s like he’s possessed or something. I know
that’s crazy and there’s no such thing as demons or whatever, but I swear it’s as
if something has taken over his brain. Even when he’s not being mean, he’s just
being weird. It scares me.”
    “I’m so sorry, Sarah. I’m no psychologist,
but it sounds like whatever he’s going through right now is not something you
need to be involved in. You’re doing the right thing. I will get this on file
ASAP. Do you think he knows its coming?”
    “No. He rarely comes home anymore. I don’t
know where he sleeps most nights but when he’s home I try to stay out of his
way as much as possible to keep him from acting weird.”
    “This is the right decision, Sarah.” I reach
across the desk to grab her hands. “It’s going to be hard, but from what you’re
telling me, this is for the best.” I don’t feel like I’m making her feel better
but law school didn’t teach me what to say in cases of demonic possession. 
    “Thanks Abri. I’m so glad it’s you handling
this for me. Say, what are you doing Saturday? Would you want to go out and
catch up on more pleasant topics? I mean, if you don’t have a date or
something.”
    “No, no dates. Ever. I’d love to go out. If
you like Dim Sum there is a great place downstairs from my apartment.” I cringe
again, thinking of my rat hole of an apartment. I wonder if Sarah would notice
that I still have the same bed I slept in when I was ten. I no longer have the New
Kids on the Block sheets at least—not that I wouldn’t use them if I did. I just
won’t ask her to come upstairs.
    “It’s a date. How about seven o’ clock?”
Thankfully, she doesn’t comment on my lack of social calendar.
    “Sounds good.” I write down my address and
cell number on the back of one of my business cards. “Call me when you get
downstairs, the buzzer doesn’t work.” Another grimace.
    ***
    Lunch is a welcome break in an otherwise
hectic day. I catch Lindsey up on Sarah and my ginormous retainer score over greasy
diner food. I hope the partners are as excited about it as I am, I could really
use a Christmas bonus come December. I am fantasizing about the things I could
do with a sizable bonus when the elevator arrives. At least fifteen people
crush on with us as we head to the 30 th floor. This is certainly
pushing the maximum weight of the car. I prepare to hold my breath.
    I’ve managed to stay close to the front for
an easy escape. Just as the doors begin to close, a woman jumps on in front of
me. She’s in the midst of a very animated conversation on her cell phone, flailing
her free hand about, unaware that the hot coffee she’s welding is sloshing out
of the top of her travel mug. I am trying to dodge the spray. “Oh, sorry,” I
mutter as I feel my heel crush down on someone behind me. The words force me to
breathe. 
    “No problem,” says a velvet voice. 
    The voice caresses me from behind and I
flush from the intimacy of it. I feel drawn back against him even though I’ve
managed to shuffle a few inches away. Lindsey kicks me. She is standing in
front of me, undoubtedly staring at the owner of that voice. I don’t dare turn
around. Her face is placid but her eyes tell me he’s something worth looking at.
My imagination is already filling in the blanks. Tight space, flushed face. Not
the condition I want to be in to meet the man attached