All He Needs. Shirley Hailstock

alone. As they stood waiting for an elevator, a happy couple joined them. The man swung the obviously inebriated woman around in a dance move as they laughed. Renee thought she’d seen them on the dance floor. However, as spacious as the hall was, the couple bumped into Renee and Carter.

      “Excuse me,” the woman said, backing away and continuing to giggle.

      Renee barely acknowledged her. Her attention was on Carter. He’d grabbed her around the waist to steady her and she was now in his arms. Heat flashed through her. She trembled against him but pushed herself away as the doors of two elevators opened simultaneously. Rushing into the small sanctuary, she took a deep breath and Carter followed her in.

      “Should I apologize?” Carter asked as they began the descent to street level.

      Renee didn’t pretend to misunderstand him. She shook her head.

      Carter stood next to her and took her hand. Electricity skidded up her arm, but she didn’t let go.

      The taxi ride to the East Side was short and they spent it in silence. At the guesthouse, Renee opened the car door.

      “You don’t have to get out,” she said. “It’ll be hard getting another taxi in this area.”

      She slid out. Carter didn’t take her advice. He got out, too, but he asked the driver to wait.

      At the town house’s door, he surveyed the facade and asked, “Is this yours?”

      “No,” she said without further explanation.

      “Who lives here?”

      “No one.”

      “No one?” His brows rose.

      “I’m using it temporarily.”

      “Until when?” Carter persisted.

      “Until I go back to Princeton.”

      He stared at her, waiting.

      “Carter, I enjoyed dinner. Thank you for asking me.” She sounded like some high school student from a B movie.