Page 54 of Salty Pickle

Court’s eyes are wild. With his disheveled hair and rumpled, hairy suit jacket, he looks less corporate and more human. “I don’t know.”

He punches the up button again. It’s an eternal wait, but the second elevator finally stops. This time, I’m careful to be out of view when it opens.

“It’s empty,” Court says.

We try to lead Matilda inside, but she doesn’t like going into such a small enclosed space. She stiffens her legs.

“Good God,” Court says. He picks up her hind legs, and before she can get a good kick in, he swings her around so she’s half inside.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I tell her, then shove her the rest of the way in.

The doors close.

Court punches the button for eighteen. It’s not the top. There are twenty-six levels in the building. “Is there a penthouse?” I ask.

“Probably.”

“But you don’t live there.”

“I’m not a billionaire in a romance novel,” he says.

“I don’t read romance novels.”

“Why not?” He watches Matilda warily as the elevator rises.

“Books don’t last very long in the yurt.”

His gaze shifts to me. “The humidity?”

“Oh, no. Matilda loves to eat paper. It’s just wood pulp.”

“So Matilda might love romance novels.”

Another joke! “Court, you are positively hilarious when you want to be.”

The elevator slows to a stop. “Let me scout,” Court says. “Hold the door open.”

I can’t quite reach the button with Matilda in the way and my belly so huge, so I stand in the door. Court steps out, looking each way.

“We’re good. Let’s go.”

I pull on Matilda’s lead, but she’s dug in again. Apparently, she likes the elevator now.

The doors try to close, and I have to push on them to keep them apart. “Come on, Matilda,” I cajole. “Follow Mommy.”

She won’t go. I tug and rub and talk to her. The elevator makes a terrible buzzing noise.

“It’s been open too long,” Court says. His face and neck have gone dark red.

“Should I go back in?”

“We have to get her out!”

“I have an idea,” I say. “You won’t like it.”

“I don’t exactly like this!”

I drop the lead. “Butt her head with your head, then run.”

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