Something Wicked. Susan Johnson-Kropp

      “Briefly. Couple of months. I called it off. It wasn’t easy,” he said, shaking his head.

      “No, I should think not. How long ago was it?”

      “Last year. I suppose that’s part of the reason I was open to moving up here. I mean, who leaves Southern California for Seattle?” he asked dryly.

      “I don’t know. I love it here. I mean, I love California as well. But Seattle’s great!” I sounded a little defensive and I knew it.

      “Oh yeah, it is. I agree,” he said a little too emphatically, as if he wasn’t anxious to insult.

      “So, I haven’t seen you around lately. Did you go out of town?” I asked as coolly as I could.

      “No. Well, I went fishing last weekend. But you’re right. I haven’t seen you in some time. I thought maybe you just never leave your place, too busy writing,” he said teasingly.

      “Actually, I take several walks a day, trying to prepare for a puppy.” I said brightly. Then I remembered that I hadn’t really decided that yet, and then I wondered why I’d said I was going to so definitively.

      “A puppy? You’re getting a puppy?” he said a little too loudly.

      “I’m thinking of getting one. Maybe,” I replied quietly.

      “Will you get another shepherd?”

      “Probably.”

      “Wow! A puppy! They’re a lot of work, aren’t they?”

      “Yup.”

      “Have you started looking yet?”

      “No. I thought I’d wait until summer.” We both nodded.

      He went on to tell me about his fishing trip, because I’d asked, unfortunately. I listened to him but was careful not to appear too interested for two reasons: I didn’t want to be like his ex-fiancé, and I also didn’t want to get stuck going on any fishing trips, if it ever came to that. I realized I was really putting the cart well before the horse, but I liked to think ahead.

      We got the bill, and he insisted on paying. We thanked Anthony as we headed out. Once outside, I was struck by how cold it had gotten. I wished I had brought a jacket or at least a sweater after all. Jeff saw me shiver and immediately took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders. I turned to thank him, and he kissed me. Then he turned his whole body toward me and kissed me again, only more intently. I was so taken aback that I didn’t kiss back. I just stood there, frozen. I wondered how it was that I could be a romance novelist and yet be so … frigid.

      He pulled away and looked at me. “I’m sorry, I thought we had a connection.”

      “We have. I just … you caught me off guard, that’s all,” I said falteringly.

      He nodded but looked unsure. We both turned toward our building and walked back, an awkward silence between us. We reached the front of the building, and Jack let us in. I wanted a do-over. I wanted time to think about how I could fix this. I didn’t want to be in the lobby with Jack and other residents around, watching and listening.

      “Would you come up to the rooftop garden for a moment?” I asked him quietly. He looked at me, somewhat surprised. “Just for a moment?” I repeated.

      By way of answering, he pushed the up button for the elevator. I realized that old Jack would assume the worst, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to leave it like that. Besides, maybe Jack would take note that we did not get off at my floor. The elevator opened, and for a split-second, I worried that he was just being polite, calling the elevator for me to take alone. But he walked in behind me, and I sighed with relief. When the elevator doors closed, I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say anything, he pulled me toward him and kissed me passionately, like something out of one of my novels, only better. Much better.

      I kissed him back this time, more than making up for my prior frigidity. The doors opened, and he took my hand as he peeked out to ensure we were alone. Once certain, he pulled me to one of the many sofas arranged here and there on the rooftop. It was a lovely garden area, with pretty flower baskets and latticework overcome with wisteria and string lights hung like webs. We fell onto one of the sofas mid-kiss, never breaking, not coming up for air for quite a long spell. Then I sat up, catching my breath.

      “What will they think?” I asked, concerned.

      “Who?” he asked with a smirk, trying to re-engage.

      “Jack … whoever else saw us downstairs! They’ll think you came to my place!” I said, horrified.

      “What of it?”

      “What of it! We need to go back down there and tell him something about the roof so he’ll know this is where we came.”

      “Or he can just view the recording.”

      “Huh?” I said, flummoxed.

      “Cameras everywhere up here. The whole building, for that matter. Hadn’t you noticed?”

      “No, not up here. I mean, on the elev—oh my God!”

      “Relax, he’ll think it’s great,” he said, trying to reassure me. Then, “Are you free tomorrow night? I’d like to take you someplace I think you’d really like.”

      “Okay,” I responded, smiling broadly at him. He stood up and held out his hand. I took it, and we kissed once more before heading for the elevator. I felt … happy. Really happy. I knew I was smiling too much, but I couldn’t help it. He was also smiling but in a knowing way that threw me a bit. Was he just trying to scam on me? I became unsure suddenly and decidedly less happy. Don’t overthink it, girl! I told myself.

      We got on the elevator holding hands, and Jeff punched the button for the lobby. I looked at him as if to ask why.

      “I think it might be prudent,” he said with a crooked smile.

      Just as I began to respond, we heard what sounded like a police siren. We looked at each other, mouths agape. The noise got louder and louder as we fell further to earth, and when the elevator doors finally opened, there was chaos.