Cabin Fever(4)

 

Leah moves back so I can get out, but as soon as I’m free of my car, she leaps forward, enveloping me in a big hug. The baby gets squished right in with me.

 

“Ooooo, you look great,” she says. “Have you aged backwards? That’s not fair.”

 

I pat her on the back. “No, believe me, I’ve aged. It’s just my high school ponytail look throwing you off.”

 

She pulls back and grins. “It looks good on you.” She looks at my passenger seat. “Better grab that coat. It’s colder than a witch’s boob out here.”

 

I laugh, reaching in to grab my jacket, a five-year-old staple from my wardrobe that’s not nearly as fancy as hers appears to be. “Same old Leah.”

 

“My address has changed but that’s about it.”

 

I shut the door and lock it, grabbing my purse and an overnight bag out of the backseat. “Your clothes have changed too.” We start walking towards a door, Leah in the lead. “What happened to my flower child buddy?”

 

“Oh, she’s still here, believe me.” She taps in a number on a keypad and opens the door for me to walk through. “But she’s hidden under layers of warm wool because I do not like this early winter crap one bit.” She shudders for effect as I walk past her.

 

She lets the door shut and leads me down a hallway and into another door that brings us to a bank of elevators. I can see the giant lobby of Trump Towers beyond.

 

“So, you really live in Trump Towers, eh?”

 

She puts a key into a slot on the bank of buttons and then presses the thirty-five. “Yep. For now.”

 

I nod, waiting for the rest of her story.

 

“I’m not sure if we’re going to stay in here though or move somewhere else.”

 

“We meaning you and James Oliver?” I can’t keep the grin off my face.

 

“That’s him. That’s my Boo.” She grins. “We met in the craziest way. I’ll tell you all about it when we get settled in.”

 

“Will I be meeting him right now?” I wish I’d done something with my hair this afternoon, but I was so anxious to get here before it got too dark that I just threw it up in a rubber band again.

 

“No, he’s at work. But he’ll be home later.”

 

As we exit the elevator, the baby sneezes.

 

“Oh, poor baby,” Leah croons, “do you have a stuffy nose? Aunty Leah will wipe it off for you in just a second. Almost home…”

 

Aunty Leah? Does this mean she’s married? I can’t see her left hand from where I am. Damn. I’m seriously out of her loop. Superjerk strikes again. She didn’t even invite me to the wedding. I suppose it’s what I deserve.

 

“Hold her for me for a sec,” Leah says, turning around and dumping the baby into my arms.

 

I barely have time to drop my bag and get a hold of her when Leah lets go to unlock the door.

 

“Stupid key. I hate this thing.” She wrestles with the mechanism for a few seconds before it finally gives in. She throws the door open wide and grins. “Ta daa! Condo sweet condo.” She takes the baby from me and I grab the bag at my feet and follow her in.

 

I thought after seeing Leah dressed in Burberry and carrying a baby I would be prepared for anything, but I was wrong.

 

“Whoa,” I say as I slowly enter the condo and my eyes roam the colorful space.

 

“Told ya,” she says, grinning from ear to ear. “I’m still a flower child at heart.”

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

 

 

 

 

THE ENTIRE ROOM IS PAINTED a light robin’s egg blue, the walls, the moldings, the ceiling, everything. None of the furniture matches, but it all somehow works. There’s hot pink, zebra print and marine-blue polka dots on the armchairs and couch. Silk pillows war with batik covered ones and yet they both end up winning. There’s a fireplace mantel, but inside it is a television. Artwork on the walls is a mix of multi-media pieces, Native American art, and if I’m not mistaken, a Renoir. I think Leah must have married a Bohemian rock star. I cannot wait to hear her story and meet this James Oliver guy. I have the strangest urge to Google him, but I won’t. I don’t want to be too obvious. I can be cool in the presence of a celebrity. I think.

 

“You can put your things in this room,” she says, leading me into a bedroom that’s clearly designed for a child. There’s a crib in the corner and stuffed animals covering every surface. A changing table is set up on top of a dresser and the closet door is open to reveal outfits of every color.