Page 23 of Damaged

“Maybe for a moment.”

I’m lost for words now. All I can think to do is lighten the subject. “So did you conquer the door when you broke it? Is that why you smiled when you knocked?”

James smiles again, and it pulls the corners of my mouth up with it. A magnet.

“No, it was more the absurdity of it.”

“Hmm. And here I thought violence got you off.” I nod down at the door.

His eyes narrow at me. He can sense I’m being flirtatious, and he seems to be sayingcut it out. Something seems to flash behind his eyes. A realization. A wake-up. Like he’s said too much to me already.

I gulp and look away. “So, when is this getting fixed?”

He slowly takes out his phone and looks at it. “The repairman is on his way up.”

I sigh and lean against the wall. I try to act natural, but I’m blushing. The silence between us is most definitely awkward.

So awkward that saying anything now or going to get a glass of water would just acknowledge the awkwardness. So I stay still and quiet until the repairman comes panting down the hall in his stained gray jumpsuit.

“Howdy!” he says but looks at the door before either of us responds. “Geezus. Was this a police raid?”

“It was Captain America’s right foot,” I say.

“Well…” He looks over James. “Strong foot.”

James just stares at me icily.

The handyman bends over without any tools. He’s just working on the diagnosis. “You really did a number on this.”

James just shrugs.

“You see here? The frame has cracked, and it’s going to need a new one. It’s not just the door.” The handyman sighs as he stands from his knees. “I’ll need to buy new lumber and get the okay from your building’s management to take out the old frame. I’m afraid this is far from a quick fix.”

James pinches the bridge of his nose. “There’s nothing you can do tonight?”

“Afraid not.”

“Okay, thanks for coming out late. Come by first thing in the morning, and I’ll have management give their approval.”

“Okie-doke. That’ll be six a.m. for me.”

“Sounds good.”

James and the handyman shake hands, and the man takes off with his toolbox down the hall.

How am I going to get to sleep tonight with no apartment door? The building has security, but still… I’m not sure I like the idea, especially after watching half a scary movie.

“I’ve got four guest bedrooms,” James says as if reading my mind. “Take one. You won’t even see me.”

My mouth is open. I’m about to protest, but then as if the universe is urging me to take him up on his offer, my strange neighbor down the hall appears from where the elevators let off.

He’s notthatstrange, but everyone has that one neighbor they’re not quite sure of. He’s early forties, lives alone, and doesn’t smile when I pass him in the hall. I doubt he’s a serial killer, but the vibes are off.

He gives James and me a quick glance before unlocking his door and disappearing into his apartment.

“Sure,” I say. “Let me just brush my teeth and everything first. And… do you mind if I bring my cat?”

“Of course not. Your elevator doesn’t go to my floor. You’ll have to meet me by the stairs.”

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