“Why the secrecy?”
He shook his head again. “You got me. I know Dawn’s obsessed with figuring it out. She’s a hermit in terms of the outside world, but she tries to stake out the elevator. Dorian or Kenneth always kicks her out. Technically, we can do whatever we want around here. That’s their whole motto—that this building is our home—but you noticed there’s nothing in the lobby, right?”
“I did. Yeah.”
“That’s because of Dawn. There used to be a couple couches down there, but she took them up as her favorite knitting spot. She’d sit there for an entire day and all night a couple times, knitting her blankets and listening to books on tape. I thought it was hilarious. She texted me to bring her food and relieve her so she could go to the bathroom.”
“And during that, still no sign of him?”
“Nope. Not a glimpse. I don’t think he’s here that often, if it is a he. Who knows. Maybe it’s a woman. I think he or she—” He winked at me. “—was here last month sometime. The shipping elevators were shut down.”
“When you weren’t here?”
“Dawn told me. She orders stuff a lot. She had a table coming that day and was super steamed because Dorian made her move the arrival date back. I was on the phone with her for three hours.”
“Sounds entertaining.”
He glanced back over his shoulder, eyeing the pool again. “I suppose.” A deep sigh. “I have to meet clients tonight. I should get to my workout.” He stood up, pushing his chair back in place. “It was nice to meet you, Addison.”
“You, too.” My stomach dipped as he said my name, his eyes lingering on my lips. “Jake.”
“Yes. Jake. That’s my name.” He pointed to me, winking again. “Keep using it, and if you’re not here when I finish, I mean it about the dinner next month. I’ll drop an invite in your mailbox.”
“Sounds perfect.” Sia. “Wait.”
He turned.
“Can I bring a friend?”
The corners of his mouth turned down, but smoothed out right away. He smiled. “Of course.”
“You might regret saying that. I’ll bring my best friend. She’s…a handful, I’ll just say.”
His grin widened. “Perfect. Dawn will freak if there’s a stranger, so we’ll have a good show. She’ll come back down once you’re gone. She’s already claimed a TWD marathon that night. Anyway, sounds good. I look forward to meeting this friend of yours.”
He lingered, staring another moment before he pulled his gaze away and went to the pool. I still had more mail to open, but I checked my phone. The clock agreed with me. Grabbing my mail, I went to the front lobby. There was a back elevator, and I wasn’t sure about the special codes. I’d stood at it one day and kept hitting the button. Nothing happened. So since then, I’d always gone to the front elevator.
Pushing through the door that connected the rest of the first floor with the front lobby, I stopped abruptly when I saw Dorian talking to Ken. Both wore similar grim expressions, but when they heard the door open, welcoming smiles instantly took their place.
“Ms. Bowman.” Dorian approached, his hand stretched out toward the elevator. “May I ride up with you?”
I nodded as the doors slid open, and he stepped inside, holding them for me. I glanced to Ken and saw some of the seriousness had returned to his face. He didn’t catch my look, but Dorian did. He cleared his throat, saying pointedly, “I’ll be right back, Kenneth.”
Ken looked up and saw my scrutiny. His warm and welcoming smile returned as he nodded. “Of course, Mr. Dorian. Ms. Bowm—”
“Addison.”
“Hmm?” He was half-turned back toward his office.
“Use my first name, Ken.” I added quietly, “Please.”
“Oh. Yes.” He chuckled softly. “I certainly will from now on.”
Stepping inside the elevator, I swung a stern look toward Dorian. “That goes for you, too.”
His head lowered slightly. “I will, Addison.” He hit the third button.
After that, we rode in silence, and when I stepped out on my floor, I glanced over my shoulder.
Dorian hit one of the black buttons.
Sia closed her eyes, humming “We Are The Champions” by Queen, as we waited for the elevator. Her head bobbed in rhythm when she got to the “on and on” part. The crescendo was building. Her hips swayed back and forth, and her shoulders had started to move by the time the elevator arrived.
“Oh.” She quieted, straightening as the doors opened. Smoothing a hand down her hair, she flashed me a grin as we stepped into the empty elevator. “I’m getting all jacked up for the party. I’m going to conquer the shut-in. Mark my words.” She paused. “She knits, right?”