Page 59

Story: The Strategist

I let my brain catch up.Oh.I’d admitted my attraction to him.

Vivian:A Kiss is Not Enough

Audri:Keep me posted. Gotta go shopping with my mom. Chat later!

Vivian:Okay. Thanks for having me over. (smile emoji)

Audri:We’ll do it again soon. (heart emoji)

Anxiety clawed at me. Arrow had driven me home. Had I embarrassed myself? Had I said or done something I’d regret? What if I snored? Vomited?

This was worse than what I’d originally thought.A hot shower would clear my head. As the hot water sprayed on me, clarity slowly returned.

I remembered sniffing his cologne. Gosh, what was wrong with me? What else had I done?Did I dare try to remember everything?

After the shower, I made coffee and took two painkillers. The shower had relaxed the stiffness in my body a little. I’d never been hungover in my life. I got dressed and headed out to the store. When I walked by the security desk, Marvin smiled at me. He had a beard and looked like Santa’s brother.

“You feeling better, Ms. Vo?”

Amusement glinted in his blue eyes.

“Please call me Vivian,” I reminded him. “I feel a lot better. Did I make a fool of myself last night?”

“No. Your man was very nice. He gave you a piggyback ride.”

Oh. My. God.

“What?! Throughhere?” I gestured to the main entrance where anyone could see me.

“Want to see?”

“Please.” Curiosity and fear twisted my stomach. “Are you breaking any rules?”

“No one will know.” He winked. “I’ve been here for twenty years—I can make the executive decision to show my favorite tenant a video of herself.” He waved a finger. “And this isn’t because you keep giving me and Marythose delicious blueberry muffins.” He tapped his round belly.

I always bought an extra box for him and his wife whenever I stopped by the store. He’d helped me move in when I first got to this apartment.

“You’re the best.” I smiled and walked behind the counter to look at the monitors.

He clicked on the screen. The video played, showing me looking like a monkey on Arrow’s back. My face was burrowed into his neck.

I sniffed him! Embarrassment flushed through me. Where was the black hole when you needed it? I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me right now!

Arrow had a goofygrin on his face as he walked toward the elevator.

“Oh my God!” I covered my face with my hands.

“Youhad a fun night?” Marvin asked.

I looked at him with wide eyes, wondering what he was thinking.

Then realization hit him and he waved a frantic hand. “No! No! I was referring to the fun night that got you drunk. Not what you and your man did in your apartment.”

I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

“No worries, Marvin. I knew what you meant. I’m just horrified by my actions. Don’t mention this to Kaylee ever, okay?”

Nodding, he zipped his lips with his fingers.