That was a lie. A big one. I was five nine and muscled from dancing. I weighed one fifty-five. He was probably used to scrawny models. I said nothing, though, as he carried me along the walkway up the steps into the building.

“Which floor?” He approached the elevator.

“Fourth, and that elevator hasn’t worked in years.”

“Oh? We’ll see about that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Which way to the stairs?”

I gestured toward a door, and he carried me through. Then up one flight. Two. Three. Four. My God, the man wasn’t even winded. Somehow, he turned the knob on the door and carried me into the hallway.

“Apartment 404,” I said, “on the left.”

A few more steps and then we stood in front of my place.

“Got a key?” he asked.

“Just knock. Mo is home, I think.”

“Mo?”

“Short for Maureen. One of my roommates. She’s in the show, and we’re dark tonight, as you know.”

“Ah. Okay.” Reid knocked.

A few seconds later, Mo opened the door, clad in her Lucy and Linus pajamas. “Zee! What happened?”

“Nothing. Just broke the heel off my shoe.”

Mo smiled. “And who’s this?”

“Reid. Reid Wolfe,” he said as he walked into our tiny place.

“You can put me down now,” I said.

“You sure? You didn’t twist your ankle or anything?”

“I’m fine. Seriously.”

He let me down gently, and I stood, placing weight on both legs. The left ankle was slightly weak, but once I kicked off my other shoe and was level, I felt better. A little sore but nothing I couldn’t live with. I’d danced with worse. A little ice tonight and tomorrow, and I’d be ready for rehearsal at three and showtime at seven.

Reid gathered my shoes. “I’ll have these fixed for you.”

“Please. It’s not necessary. They weren’t expensive.” I’d gotten them secondhand on Posh, but I kept that to myself.

“It’s no problem. They’ll be messengered back to you tomorrow.”

“I’m working tomorrow.”

“Right. About that dinner after the show?”

“Shows are at seven and ten. There’s no time between for dinner, and I said—”

“Then I’ll make reservations for midnight. I’ll see you after the show.”

“Wait, I—”

“Great meeting you,” Reid said to Mo. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Then he was gone. Like a flash. Totally forgetting how I’d said I was always beat after two shows…

“Those are some crazy gorgeous eyes,” Mo said, “and the rest of him… Wow.”

I said nothing. What could I say? She was spot on.

“Where’d you find him?”

“Just a…get-together.”

“And you didn’t invite me? Are there any more like him?”

“First of all, we’re not together. I broke my shoe.”

“And he carried you up here.”

“Yes,” I said matter-of-factly.