"It works for me." Adley nods. "What's the name of that nail polish you're wearing? I've been looking for a shade just like that."
All eyes drop to Crew's hands and the bright pink polish messily painted onto his right thumbnail. He wags it in the air. "This is our Pink Twist. It just came in today. It looks like my niece needs to keep her day job. She's not going to cut it as a manicurist."
"I'm buying a bottle." Adley reaches for his hand to bring it in for a closer look. "I think this would look good on me."
"It suits you." Crew cups her hand in his. "Ellie can bring a bottle home from work for you. No charge."
"Seriously?" She holds his hand to her chest. "Thank you."
"No thanks necessary." His smile widens as he stares at her. "You ready to head out?"
"Absolutely." She abruptly lets go of his hand. "I'm going to Axel NY."
"Good choice." Crew gestures toward the door. "I've been. Great food."
Adley launches into a story about the last time she was at Axel. I hear her say something about her ex, Leo, as the door shuts behind them.
"Time for me to get to work." Nolan slides his shirt from his shoulders. "There's a gallon of your favorite ice cream in the freezer if you're hungry."
I smile in spite of my resolve not to. I didn't expect him to show up tonight. I was shocked when I turned to
see him and Crew standing in the entryway of my apartment. "Cookie dough?"
"That's what your friend got for you at Cremza. I assumed it was your favorite."
"It is." I draw in a breath. "What flavor were you buying the other night?"
He hesitates briefly before a grin pulls at the corner of his lips. "Blue bubble gum."
I cover my mouth with my hand to shield my broad smile. "I would have pegged you for more of a vanilla or strawberry type."
"Oh really?" A bead of sweat rolls down his muscular chest. My gaze follows.
"Yes, but I was wrong. The secret is out. The owner of Matiz Cosmetics likes blue bubble gum ice cream."
His hands drop to his pants. He loosens the belt and then unfastens his slacks. "The owner of Matiz Cosmetics likes many things. Bubble gum ice cream is right up there with a certain blue-eyed redhead."
"Are you taking your pants off?"
"If that's a request, the answer is yes." He draws in a deep breath. "It's so damn hot in here. I'm just trying to get comfortable so I can fix your air conditioner before I pass the fuck out."
I bite back a giggle. "The only tools we have are in a drawer in the kitchen."
Cocking his head to the side, he looks directly at me. "Show me what you've got, Ellie."
***
"There's an empty furnished apartment on the second floor with a working air conditioner." He pushes his phone back into the front pocket of his pants. "It's a two bedroom. You can stay there tonight and the new unit will be installed here first thing tomorrow."
"So that strange smell that was coming from it was a fried motor?"
"That's the culprit." He looks over at the dismantled air conditioner on the floor near the window. He had the problem diagnosed within minutes, and it took even less time for him to call someone to arrange the delivery and installation of the new unit as well as accommodations for Adley and me for the night. "It's not worth trying to fix it. Someone from the repair crew will have the new one installed in no time."
"Will it be River?" I ask quietly.
His arms cross over his chest. My eyes fall once again to the skin that is exposed right where his pants hang open. I can see the barest hint of his black boxer briefs and the trail of dark hair that disappears beneath them.
"No." He narrows his eyes. "You don't actually like that guy."