Page 84 of Caper Crush
The elevator stops at a floor, but the person waiting shakes his head. He wants to go up.
“We probably need to do more thinking about this than actual investigating,” Takashi says.
“It would be the week that Tessa is traveling. She returns on Wednesday,” I say. “I guess I can order in.”
“You can stay at my place tonight,” William says. “It will be easier with the elevator. And then tomorrow we can face the stairs.”
“We have an elevator too,” Takashi says. “You could also stay with us.”
Uncle Tony glances at Takashi, and some look passes between them.
“I don’t want to intrude. I’ll be fine at home.” If I can get up the stairs.
“My couch converts to a bed. It’s easy,” William says.
“Okay,” I say.
The elevator door opens.
“Here we go.” William picks me up again, firmly sliding his arms under my legs and around my back. I keep my face down against his chest. The pain has subsided now, and I’m way too aware of how close I am to him. I breathe in his comforting scent. He carries me out of Advik’s apartment building and down the block to the clinic for my X-ray.
No stress fracture, thankfully. I just have to keep my foot up. William drives uptown to drop off Uncle Tony and Takashi at their apartment first. We’re double-parked outside their building.
“Should I pick up your toothbrush and stuff from your apartment?” Uncle Tony asks me.
“That would be great.”
“Text me a list of what you need and where it is,” Uncle Tony says.
I text him my list. There’s nothing like having your uncle dig through your underwear drawer. But otherwise, it would be William, and that would be worse. The car parked in front of us pulls out, and William slides into the spot. That was a lucky break.
“William, why don’t you come up with me and I’ll give you the cane and crutches?” Takashi says.
Takashi and William leave while Uncle Tony goes over my list with me.
As soon as William disappears into their building, Uncle Tony asks, “What’s happening between you and William?”
“What do you mean?”
Tony raises his eyebrows. “He just carried you for blocks.”
“I couldn’t exactly walk.” I shift my foot so it is up in the air with my calf resting on my other knee.
Tony snorts. “The way he was carrying you—like you were something precious to him. Did anything happen on your drive up to Vinnie’s?”
“No. We talked a bit. And I was annoyed he didn’t want to let me break into the house to check out the paintings.”
Tony laughs. “Yes, I can’t see him doing that.”
“I guess we’re getting to know each other,” I say. “We’ve never really talked before.”
“Anyway, William can come across as reserved, but he looked pretty emotional when he was carrying you.”
“I’m an idiot. I panicked when she threatened to call the police. Imagine the press getting ahold of that,” I say. “Weeping Willow Locked Up For Trespassing. And my mug shot plastered in all the papers.”
“But I’m worried for him. He seems a bit bruised by the Kiyoko thing,” Uncle Tony says. “He was also really in love with Itsuki and devastated when they broke up. He’s not the type you usually go for.”
It was Itsuki.
