She wrinkles her nose and gives me an impish smile. “Just glad to see you know how to be casual. I’ll be good from now on, I promise.” Expanding her arms wide, she adds, “Okay, so this is my place. Feel free to inspect everything except Brandon’s room and my underwear drawer. Any questions, ask away. I’d shadow you around the apartment to make sure you don’t steal anything of value, but there isn’t much that falls in that category.”

“Where should I start? Bathroom?” I give her a wicked grin. “Your medicine cabinet?”

“Jesus, Chapman. That’s a little forward, don’t you think? You haven’t even taken me on a date yet.”

“Apologies. Bedroom, then?”

“That’s more like it,” she says with a wink.

I was kidding before. I’m not beginning to like her; I do like her. She’s unassuming and witty, and I can’t stop smiling at whatever happens to tumble out of that gorgeous mouth.

No.

It’s just an ordinary mouth, dammit.

She racewalks down the hall, then opens a door with a flourish. “Ta-da. Welcome to Casa Solange.”

I stand at the threshold and take in the space. Fuck me. It’s sexy as hell. The focal point is the queen-size bed, which is framed by a floor-to-ceiling headboard upholstered in midnight-blue velvet. Nothing is sleek; it’s just texture and more texture. From the fuzzy blanket at the foot of the bed to the three-dimensional metal wall art above her dresser. But there isn’t much else here. A few flat U-Haul moving boxes are propped up against her closet; they’re a reminder that her furnishings are probably sparse because it makes it easier for her to pack up and head off to her next destination.

Looking for an item to distract me from the allure of Solange’s bed, I settle my gaze on a photo collage on the opposite side of the room. “What’s that?”

“Just some photos of people I met during my travels,” she says in a detached tone.

I point inside. “May I?”

She swallows, then shrugs her shoulders. “Be my guest.”

I’m not sure why I’m drawn to the collage. Maybe it’s because I think it’s going to give me some insight into Solange’s personality beyond the information she sent me. Now that I’m close to it, I can see that Solange is in every one of them. Looking relaxed and content. With people of different ages and racial backgrounds. All smiling proudly. “They’re wearing hotel uniforms.”