Page 40 of Lucky Night

They could die here. Isn’t that how most people die in fires? Panicking, bolting for safety, plunging instead into killing smoke?

They’re better off upstairs. Firefighters are here. They’re on top of the situation.

She’s hovering on the landing of thirty-two when he returns. I heard you coughing, she says.

It’s smokier down there, he admits. Not terrible, but we should get back to the room.

They trudge up the stairs. They pass other guests taking a breather on a landing, glimpse a few disappearing onto their floors. Still others pass them going down, intent on giving it a go, apparently. They exchange nods, quick grimaces, then carry on. Nobody’s pausing to commiserate here. Nobody’s banding together.

They exit on forty-two. The hallway is still clear. They reach their room. She sees the small black panel above the door handle and grabs his arm.

Oh no! Nick!We—

He pulls the keycard from his pocket. She sags against the wall. Thank God.

Inside, the door falls shut behind them, and they embrace. In the foyer of their low-lit, stupidly opulent hideaway, where they met, what, three hours ago, four? He’d opened the door and she was there. She said something surprising. Then she was in his arms.

Well that was a bust, he says, and she chuckles into his shoulder. Still responding to his easy ironies, that’s a good sign. His nose is in her hair. There’s that scent again. Lemon? Grapefruit? Smoky now. What her hair must have smelled like after a night out, back when you could smoke in bars.

He pulls back so he can get a look at her. How are you?

I’m, you know. She exhales shakily. Terrorized. But also weirdly calm?

Weird is right. She’s said some nutty things tonight.Has anything ever not gone your way?What the hell? But she seems okay now. Unless she’s just stunned.

Well, stunned will have todo.

He reaches for the door. I want you to notice something.

Nick, don’t!

It’s fine. We were just out there, remember? He cracks it about six inches. Take hold of it. He guides her hand to the edge of the door, above the handle. Feel that?

What am I feeling?

How heavy it is. Now let go. See how fast it closes? That’s a solid door, Jenny. Probably steel. Now come withme.

He leads her to the bed and sits her down. He is a man of action now, of purpose. He knows what to do, he’s in charge, he’s on…

No. Bad cliché. Don’t go there.

He’s in his element, let’s leave it at that.

You have your phone? he says. Good. Google New York City fire code. Or building code, city of New York. Try a few different combinations until you findit.

Why?

You said you did a lot of research into fire, right? I thought you could do a little more. Find out exactly how fire-resistant this building is. Doors, walls, building materials. Then you’ll understand how safe we are. That we’re perfectly safe waiting here while they put out the fire.

He reaches for the room phone. While you’re doing that, I’m going to call down and tear that desk clerk an extremely capacious new—why hello there! This is…no, no I willnotfucking—

He stares at the receiver. She put me on hold again.

He’s outraged. And impressed. That took balls. Though it’s not like he can storm down there and do anything aboutit.

Jenny is hunched over her phone, scrolling.

How’s the research coming along?

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