Page 10 of The Agent
“You’re still hung up on this?” Marley frowned. “I told you, he’s kind of strange.”
“But you said he was cute.” Gwen grinned. “And he caught you when you did a swan dive off the roof.”
“Fine, he gets two points for that. And then minus three points for being aloof. I swear, he couldn’t wait to get away from me.”
“But you spoke to Debbie, right?”
Marley nodded. “Before I left for work. She said she and Stu did rent the house, to a writer from New York, and, yes, his name is Caleb Ford.”
“Well, there you go, he was telling the truth.”
“Yeah, but… Something about him was really off.”
“So he’s shy. Which is why you need to make a move,” Gwen answered as she tied her curly hair in a loose twist at the top of her head. “Tonight you’re going to walk next door and ask for a cup of sugar.”
Marley laughed. “No way. That’s so lame.”
“Wait, I’m not done. So you ask for the sugar, and then you bat your eyelashes and say, ‘Actually, maybe I can giveyousomesugar instead.’ One thing will lead to another and presto! You get laid and forget all about Patrick.”
Marley shot her friend a firm look. “I’m not going to seduce my neighbor.”
“Then at least promise to keep an open mind,” Gwen pleaded. “There’s no harm in saying hi to the guy next time you see him. Just don’t be afraid of some flirting, or heck, even a casual conversation. Oh, and could youpleasecome out with me and Nick on Tuesday? We’re going to the salsa bar. It’ll be a good time.”
“I’ll let you know.” Marley took a step toward the locker room door. “I gotta go. My feet are killing me and I’m craving a long, hot bubble bath.”
Gwen sighed. “I hate the night shift,” she complained as she followed Marley out the door. “You’re so lucky you’re going home.”
“Yeah, to sleep,” she replied with a sigh. “I’m coming back for the graveyard shift, while you get to spend the night with your boyfriend.”
“Good point.”
They said goodbye in the hallway, and Marley headed for the elevator, her flip-flops snapping against the white linoleum floor.
When she exited the hospital, the early-evening air was warm, and she breathed it in, enjoying the fresh scent of salt and palm trees. She loved San Diego—the heat, the laid-back atmosphere, the ocean. She hadn’t been to the beach in ages, she realized as she crossed the parking lot to her car. The renovations in her house were tedious and left little time for trips to the beach.
But maybe Gwen was right. Maybe it was time to quit using her house as an excuse not to go out and have fun. God knew she needed some fun after the past year.
Before she could start the car, her cell phone burst out in the Pussycat Dolls ringtone Gwen had downloaded as a joke. Her brother’s number flashed on the screen, causing Marley to stifle a groan. Sam still hadn’t come back to finish the closet he’d half gutted, and she had a feeling she was in for another excuse.
Sighing, she lifted the phone to her ear. “Hey, Sammy. What’s up?”
“I wanted to touch base with you about the closet.”
“Finally. So when are you coming to finish it?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk about. It’ll probably have to be at the end of the week.”
“Why not earlier?”
“No time. We’ve got a massive renovation to finish this week, kiddo.”
Marley rolled her eyes. “Don’t call me kiddo. I’m three years older than you, Sammy.”
“On paper, maybe. But in maturity, I win.”
“In your dreams.”
“See how immature you are? Only ten-year-olds say ‘in your dreams.’” He suddenly sounded contrite. “I’ll try to make it earlier, since you’re being so difficult.”
