She didn't get a ride, walking back alone along the sidewalk. In this vast city, she suddenly felt that she had always been on her own.
After walking for two hours, she stood before a club called "Quivering Lips." Staring at it, her eyes quickly filled with tears. Nora Ainsworth turned and went into the residential complex next door. The elevator stopped on the eighth floor. She stepped out, took out her key, and let herself in.
She closed the door and leaned back against it, sliding down until she was squatting on the floor.
Just then, her phone rang. She picked it up. It was a call from Quentin Grant.
She hit the answer button, and his voice came through the receiver.
"Nora, did you buy anything?"
She answered softly, "I looked around, but there wasn't anything worth buying. Aren't you supposed to be at work? Why are you calling?"
"I missed you," he said, his voice low and laced with a smile.
