He waved a hand. “Don’t bother. I don’t want you to get in trouble.” He leaned closer, pitching his voice to a whisper, “You know what would make me feel better?”
“New coffee and a scone on the house?” Her tone sounded wary.
He laughed. “Sure, but I was thinking more along the lines of your phone number. I’d like to take you out sometime.”
Her expression closed. “That’s so sweet of you, but I just broke up with someone, and I’m not really ready to be with anyone else yet.”
His gaze dropped to her small breasts for a moment, but then darted to her nametag. “I’m sorry to hear that, Keiko. Any man who’d leave you is a fool.” He reached into his pocket to pull out a bill to place on the counter as a tip. “Don’t worry about the coffee and scone. I’m done here.” He flashed a charming grin. “Have a good night.”
She looked relieved as she said, “Good night,” and watched him leave.
He walked out the door and around the block before stopping in the alleyway for the store. He laughed to himself as he imagined Keiko currently inside the store trying to dismiss her instinctive fearful reaction. She was like a timid bunny, but too civilized to listen to the instincts warning her to run. He loved that about them. They were all so clueless, and it was usually self-inflicted.
He had to wait for two hours, but the pain in his head had faded, and he was caught up in the fantasies of what he’d do to Keiko. He was so immersed that he almost missed it when she walked by. He blinked and gave her a few moments before emerging from the alleyway to follow her.
She lived near the coffee shop, so it was a quick walk. He waited until she let herself in before slipping closer. The side window provided the perfect view of the mailboxes in her lobby, and he saw 118 clearly before she unlocked and opened it.
He walked on then, grinning and whistling to himself. “I have plans tomorrow night.”