Page 27 of The Proposal
Huh.
I’ve seen her new neighbor a couple of times. He seems like a decent guy. We briefly chatted about running and the best place to get burgers. He didn’t seem weird or hostage-holding-y.But what do I know? People have surprised me before.
“I think it began last week. Not just banging, but thumps too. And I swear to God I heard screaming the other night,” she says. “It’s freaking me out.”
“Damn. How thin are your walls?”
“I had the window open, Perry Mason.”
I laugh. “Look, do you think you might be jumping to conclusions?”
“No, and here’s why—he’s hot.”
The line stills. I wait for her to expound on that brilliant observation, but she doesn’t follow her statement with anything more.
“Did he nab you too? It’s awfully quiet over there,” I say.
“You are not funny.”
“Bianca. Your reasoning for thinking your neighbor is holding someone hostage is that he’s hot. Have you listened to that out loud?”
“He’sextremelygood looking, Renn.Beautiful. And attractive people always get away with stuff because no one suspects the gorgeous doctor in the gated community of wrongdoing.”
“Call the police then.”
“And say what?”
“That your beautiful neighbor is thumping on his walls, I guess. I don’t know. Come to think of it, how do you know he’s not just fucking his girlfriend?”
The line goes quiet again.
I sigh. “When I get home, I’ll come over and do some reconnaissance, if that will make you feel better.”
“Not if you’re just going to make fun of me.”
“I’m not.”
“I hear it in your voice, Renn.”
“So what do you want me to do? If you seriously think something is weird over there, call the police. I suppose that’s the responsible response.”
She groans. “Now I don’t know. What if you’re right?”
“It won’t be the first time.”
“I won’t dignify that with an answer.” She takes a deep breath. “Forget it. Calling you was a mistake. I’ll call Tate.”
My laughter is loud and immediate. “Why? So he can come over and shout mean things over the fence at him?”
She tries not to laugh but fails.
“Set your security system,” I say. “And if you hear anything else, call the police. Or Ripley, at the very least.”
“Okay. But I can’t be held responsible for anything right?”
“No, Bianca, you can’t.” I roll my eyes. “Anything else? I have reservations.”
“Reservations? Where are you?”
