Lost and Found Read Online Free PDF

he called?”
    “No. I’m not lonely.  I’m better off without Cliff. I was lonely with Cliff. I just thought—I don’t know. I don’t have much company.”
    “You have me, and Emily,” she said with a pout.
    “I know I do. You’re great friends. You’ve been so great in helping me get settled back here and everything. It’s been great. But it’s not the same as having someone in my apartment every single day. Someone who has to love me.”
    “Delaney.”
    “Like a child, or a spouse. But I’m not getting married, ever. Ergo, I’m not having kids. So, I thought, why not a dog?”
    “It’s such a librarian thing to do.”
    “Trust me, I’m not trying to solve all my problems. And the librarian thing to do would be to get a cat.
    “And then knit a sweater for that cat.”
    “Exactly. And I don’t even like cats. I’m getting a dog.”
    “What did Cliff say?” She poked me.
    “Not telling.”
    “Don’t you think it would be better if you tried d ating again? Get Cliff out of your system?”
    “I think I’d need a full chlorine dip to get Cliff out of my sy stem.”
    “Dating might be a good start, though.” Ursula bit her lip and then smiled.
    I shook my head. “I think I’d rather get a dog.”
     
    ***
     
    The next time I saw Oliver, he wasn’t alone. As I unlocked my apartment door, his swung open, a tall strawberry blonde stumbled out backwards, her mouth attached to Oliver’s. Her hair was tangled down her back, her freckled shoulders exposed in a thin black tank, and the back pockets of her tight jeans were covered with Oliver’s hands. She was gorgeous. They were gorgeous together. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them.
    “ Mmmm,” she said.
    Oliver groaned and then leaned away, breathing hard. “Good night.”
    “Yes, it was,” she said into his mouth. I gagged.
    He ran a finger down the curve of her neck and she shivered. “Bye, Oliver.” When she turned, both sets of eyes landed on me.
    “Um, hi.” I gave them both a lame little wave.
    “Delaney.” Oliver nodded, his lips a thin line.
    “I’m just—I was just coming home. From work. I’ll see you later,” I said, and then I tumbled into my apartment, away from them, but before my door was closed completely, his hand caught the door. Oliver leaned into my apartment. “Delaney, could we talk for a second?” he asked, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he spoke.
    “You need a haircut,” I said, and automatically reached over to brush his messy hair out of his eyes like I used to do with Cliff. That’s when I noticed how very tall he was. He must have been at least six foot two. He stepped backwards like I’d slapped him.
    “Sorry.” My hand fell to my side.
    He brushed his hand against his forehead, where my fingers had been, and he said softly, “No, that’s fine. You’re right. I need a hai rcut.” He stepped back into the threshold. “So, can we talk?”
    “Sure.” My heart beat against my ribs, and I hoped he wasn’t going to explain the strawberry blonde, or the brunette, or any of his other visitors, in case I was judging him. I was judging him, but I was trying very hard to fake unconcern anyway.
    He stayed silent a moment as his eyes scanned me, and then he frowned. “What are you wea ring?”
    “Um, work clothes?”
    “Do you work with a bunch of blind people?”
    “Ouch?” I loved my clothes. I was wearing a vintage red and black plaid jacket with brass buttons over a black dress with a big A-line skirt, neon blue tights, and my polka dot booties. I topped it all off with a red striped scarf and a gold necklace, and dangling leaf ea rrings.
    It was great armor against being seen. As long as ev eryone was paying attention to my clothes, no one considered what I was hiding.
    And I knew it was a bit much for some people, but it brought some quirk to me. There were a lot of bright pinks and yellows, bejeweled buttons on shirts, cardigans with sequins. “You look like a cracked out