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“Hello?” I said in a croaky voice.

“Okay. You’re alive,” Olive said. “That’s all I needed to know.”

The call got disconnected, and I frowned. What was that all about?

I stumbled into the living room. The sun was way lower than it should be at this time of day.

I looked at my phone again. It was almost six p.m. Great. I was supposed to be at Dave’s Diner over two hours ago.

Olive had sounded mad, and I couldn’t blame her. I had unwittingly stood her up. Who knew how long she’d waited for me at Dave’s Diner.

I hopped into my pants, grabbed a clean shirt from the closet, and bolted out of the door. I drove by Dave’s Diner, but she had already left. After a couple of wrong turns, I ended up on her street. I slowed the car until I spotted Olive’s apartment building and parked in front.

It was a plain and simple one, housing only five units. Olive’s name was written in purple Sharpie next to the top call button. I pressed it, hoping she’d be home.

No answer.

I tried my luck with the front door. To my relief, it wasn’t locked. I pushed it open and knocked on the first door I came across.

“Yes?” an older woman answered, her gaze full of suspicion.

“I’m looking for Olive,” I said. “She lives in this building.”

“Top floor,” the woman said before slamming the door in my face.

Wow. Friendly neighbors. At least she had a nice apartment with one of those open-plan kitchens. I was pretty sure that’s what she told me about her living quarters, anyway.

I ascended the narrow spiral stairs. They gave way to a small landing with just enough room for one person to stand.

I knocked on the door. Even though I heard someone stumbling inside, she didn’t answer.

“Olive?” I called out. “It’s me, Lewis.”

Crickets.

I rested my palm against her door. “Look, I know you’re in there. Please let me in so I can explain.”

Still nothing.

“Olive, come on, we need to talk. Please.”

After ten long seconds, I finally heard her unbolt the door, and I let out a relieved sigh. I couldn’t wait to get inside.

Chapter Eighteen

Olive

No, no, no, no. Why was Lewis standing outside my front door? I couldn’t possibly let him in. First of all, I’d been crying for an hour and looked horrible. Second of all, he’d discover I had lied about the coolness factor of my apartment. I had to get rid of him somehow. Maybe I could crawl out the window?

But the guy wouldn’t stop knocking and begging me to please let him in.

“What shall we do?” I asked Rhubarb, who was too busy chewing on a rubber duck to pay me any attention.

After going back and forth in my mind, I decided to let him in. He had some explaining to do after all. I still couldn’t believe he’d stood me up, especially not after that passionate kiss we’d shared.

I unbolted the door and cracked it open. Lewis looked at me with those adorable eyes of his. I wondered if he did it on purpose, or if he was actually oblivious to the impact he had on women.

“I’m surprised you found the way to my apartment,” I said, opening the door farther and walking away before he could say anything.