I nodded. “Oh, that’s two blocks from where I’m staying. They actually have the entire block shut down. They’re filming something. I tried to get a peek at it when I passed this morning.”
“You live uptown?”
“My sister does. I’m staying with her until I can find something.”
He nodded toward the hall. “Come on. I’ll drop you on the way.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. I can take the subway.”
“I’m going right near you. I have a car waiting outside.”
“You sure?”
He nodded. “It’s not a problem at all.”
We rode the elevator down together and got into the waiting Town Car, where I gave the driver my sister’s address. As we pulled away from the curb, this time my phone rang.
“Would you excuse me for a minute? It’s my sister.”
“Do whatever you need to.” Merrick sat a few feet away, scrolling through his phone while I answered.
“Hey,” Greer said. “I just wanted to tell you I walked Mrs. Aster’s dog for you. I was taking Buddy out anyway. Plus, you’ve been getting home so late. Just figured I’d tell you in case you planned to stop in her apartment on your way up.”
“Oh, thanks so much. You didn’t have to do that. Why are you home so early?”
“I have that part-timer who closes on Tuesdays and Thursdays now, remember? So I can walk her dog Thursday, too, if you need it.”
“Thanks, but Mrs. Aster will be back tomorrow. She’s away at her sister’s.”
“You and your crazy barter deals. What does she give you in return, anyway?”
“Homemade cat treats.”
“Cat treats? But you don’t even have a cat.”
“Yes, but I trade them to a guy who does website development. He’s making one for me, for my rentals. If I rent direct, I can save the Airbnb fees.”
Greer sighed. “Why can’t you figure out how to trade for some primo sperm for me?”
Through my peripheral vision, I noticed Merrick glance over. His brows pulled together as he looked back down at his phone.
“Are you still at the office?” she asked.
“Actually, I’m on my way home.”
“Okay, be careful on the subway.”
“I’m in a car. My boss was heading uptown, so he offered to drop me off.”
“Oooh… Is this hot boss?”
This time my eyes flashed to Merrick. If he’d heard, he didn’t react. “I gotta run. Thank you for doing that for me. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Get me some sperm from hot boss!”
Now Merrick’s eyes definitely widened. Did she have to yell that? I closed my eyes. “Goodbye, Greer.” I felt the man next to me staring. I sighed. “You heard that, didn’t you?”
“Do you want me to pretend I didn’t?”