Francesca turns back. “She’ll bring it over tomorrow, Mr.Darden.”
He harrumphs. “I’d like waffles for breakfast. With strawberries. It’s not like you have anything else to do since you’re jobless.”
“You’re a belligerent, cantankerous old man,” she replies sweetly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He shuts his door, then opens it again. “There’s an all-night clinic down the street, MissLane. Get that cold checked.”
“Go to bed, Mr.Darden.”
“I was in bed!” He slams his door.
“That’s an interesting relationship,” I murmur.
She shrugs. “We’ve bonded. Neither of us have blood relatives.”
“Really? You know he owns most of this building.”
“He also plays a mean game of checkers. If I lose, I cook dinner. If I win, he gets carryout but insists I watch the nature channel. Do you know how long a snail can sleep?”
I arch a brow.
“Three years. Do you know what happens to female ferrets if they don’t mate?”
“They get angry?”
“They die. Something about their hormones going crazy. Anyway. I like him.”
My eyes skim her face, the stark widow’s peak on her forehead. “Fascinating. May I come in?”
She chews on her bottom lip. “Um, we’re kinda in the middle of something.”
“We?”
“Me and my roomies, Cece and Brogan. You met Cece at the door. Don’t trust anything she says.”
“Ah. You live with a guy too?”
“Last time I checked, yes.” She glares at me. “Problem?”
“Nah. Just trying to keep it all straight. Who was the man who left with his tail between his legs?”
“My ex. His name is Edward. Is this twenty questions?”
Oh, babe, I have a shit ton of questions.
I shift on my feet. “Why is he your ex? What happened?”
“He cheated, Officer. I’m guilty of falling for a dick. Am I under arrest?”
“So rude.”
She sticks her wrists out. “Wanna cuff me and take me downtown?”
“No, but will you step out here in the hall so we can talk? Just five minutes?”
“I’m, like,superbusy. You have no idea. Sorry.”
I lean in. “But, Francesca, I want to see you. Your whole person. Without you and Mr.Darden yelling back and forth. Without the toboggan and glasses you had on at Café Lazzo.” My voice lowers. “And without the mask, Princess Bride.”