I might be gagging for it, but not because I'm a predator. I've been experiencing a bit of a drought lately.
"Okay," the girl says. She holds her phone away from her face to peer at the screen. Her gaze flicks to me and then back to the screen. She sighs and tells Elena, "I guess he is who he claims to be. Thanks, hon."
She hangs up, sets her phone on the bar, and walks up to me. She tips her head back to meet my gaze.
The sexy little American offers me her hand. "I'm Arden Clover Pesti. It's nice to meet you, Reese Dixon."
I shake her hand, loving how soft and warm her skin is. She smells good too, like powder and cocoa butter. "It's nice to meet you too. Arden, is it? That's an unusual name, especially for a girl."
"Yeah, it's weird, I know. Blame my parents. They're big-time hippies, even though the hippie thing ended in, like, nineteen seventy-seven."
"Hippies?"
"Flower children, bohemians, beatniks, et cetera."
"I know what the word means." I love that she's keeping her hand in mine, even though the greetings are over. Her skin is like porcelain, with the faintest freckles on it. "Are you friends with Elena, then? Or just Kyle?"
"Elena is my BFF. We're like this." She pulls her palm away from mine so she can link the fingers of both hands in a locking gesture. "We're tight. Inseparable. I mean, except for the past nine months when I was in Ecuador with the Peace Corps."
"That's an admirable thing to do."
She shrugs. "I wanted to see the world, so I joined up. All I ever saw was Ecuador."
I scratch the back of my neck, wincing slightly. "Sorry I scared you. Elena said I'd have the place to myself."
"The Linwoods have definitely got some crossed wires going on."
Although Kyle Linwood had left beer in the apartment, it was Elena who'd told me that. I never actually spoke to Kyle. The Linwoods got their wires crossed for sure.
Arden smiles sweetly at me, swinging her hands at her sides. "Elena mentioned you've never been to America before."
"That's right. My brother has lived here for a long time, but I never got round to visiting him."
"Well then." She spreads her arms wide and grins. "Welcome to the United States of America and to New York City."
I can't help chuckling. She's so unbelievably adorable.
"Thank you," I say. "I feel at home already."
She comes closer, standing on her toes to look me in the eye, and her expression turns serious. "New York is awesome, but there are a few things to watch out for. Cabbies will be obnoxious. It's their way. Never buy a falafel from a street vendor who has facial hair. Never have a mixed drink, unless you want to get roofied." She leans in more, her nose almost brushing mine. "And watch out for the greys. They'll sneak up on you while you're sleeping, so keep a can of mace by your bed."
When she uses the term greys, I get the impression she's not talking about hair, which leaves me hopelessly confused.
"Oh," she says, popping upright and holding up a finger, "I almost forgot. Never flush the toilet on a Tuesday before eight a.m."
"I see." I don't, not even a little, but I'm enjoying listening to her lovely voice. She can tell me any barmy thing she wants, and I'll listen without saying a word. "I appreciate the advice."
She nods, seeming satisfied. Then she wanders off down the hall that Elena told me leads to a bathroom and two bedrooms.
Greys? What the bloody hell is that sexy, barmy girl on about?
I ring Elena to ask. "Arden told me to watch out for greys, but I have no idea what that means. I didn't want to offend her by asking."
Elena laughs. "She's a hoot, isn't she? You'll get used to her. Arden's the smartest person I've ever known, next to Chance, but she can be a little kooky."
"Are you going to tell me what greys are?"
"Maybe I should let you figure that out on your own. Or you could ask Arden. She's not easily offended."