Bennett drew in a slow breath. “Are you going to continue to block the door all night, or is there a slim chance I may be able to enter my home anytime soon?”

“Oh…um…sorry,” Ruby said, stepping into the breezeway. “Here, let me get the other door.”

As soon as Ruby opened the second door and stepped into the tiny foyer, Bennett brushed past and jogged up the steps.

“I’d still like to take you out for that drink sometime,” Ruby called out. “Just let me know when. I’m game.”

Bennett stopped, mentally counting to ten before she turned around. “And if I were a hunter, you certainly would be.”

Chapter Six

Ruby sat on a bench alone and watched the people roaming about. It was lunchtime, and as always, the surrounding office buildings had emptied as workers escaped the doldrums of their cubicles and desks. They swarmed the line of food trucks like thirsty animals around watering holes, jockeying positions as their orders were filled, and wax-papered boxes were handed through little windows framed with menus. Some barely escaped the lines before biting into their sandwiches or veggie wraps, their manners secondary to cramming as much into their one-hour break as they could into their mouths.

After a quick text exchange an hour before, Ruby and Doreen had settled on Cheese Louise, a food truck specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches. Since Doreen punched a time clock and Ruby didn’t, Ruby got to the truck before the crush of hungry workers. Now, sitting on the bench next to her were their lunches, and the aroma of her bacon, fontina, and cheddar sandwich was making Ruby’s mouth water. She looked out across the courtyard, and when she saw one person stand out amongst all the rest, Ruby sat tall and waved.

Doreen Thomas had no problem standing out. She did so with her whimsical laugh. She did so with her hair, and she did so with her wardrobe. A buxom woman, who carried a few extra pounds on her frame, Doreen loved plunging necklines, tight clothing, and colorful choices. Today, her sandy brown hair brought with it a tinge of purple, and the clips keeping it somewhat out of Doreen’s face were two oversized turquoise flowers, appearing almost like mouse ears atop her head. Her open-toed shoes were platform, pushing her height four inches past her norm while showing off her latest violet pedicure, and even though fall fashion called for earthy colors, Doreen marched to a different drummer. Underneath her navy blue trench coat, which was currently flapping in the breeze, was a floral dress covered entirely in oversized plum-colored pansies.

“Hey there,” Doreen said as she neared the bench.

“Hey there, yourself.”

“God, I’m starving,” Doreen said, throwing herself onto the bench. “My treat next time?”

“As always,” Ruby said, handing Doreen the box containing a barbeque short rib sandwich smothered in Muenster cheese and caramelized onions. “Enjoy.”