The Apartment Read Online Free PDF

apartment, she noted several vehicles parked out front. She saw Sean’s truck, which had arrived the day before, but there were two other cars she didn’t readily recognize.
    Not sure what to expect, she let herself into the house. Sean was sitting at the kitchen table with three other men, all about the same age. They were playing cards. Several open bottles of beer were on the tabletop, along with uneven stacks of red, blue and white chips.
    No one was aware of her presence.
    â€œSean, I’d like to talk to you,” she said quietly, walking into the kitchen. Her heart was pounding like a giant turbine. So much for their new start! So much for the new communication between them. She was furious.
    He looked up from his cards and a shocked look came over his face. “Hilary…what are you doing home?”
    â€œI happen to live here, remember?”
    Her announcement was followed by a couple of whistles and catcalls. “She lives here?”
    â€œLeave it to Cochran to get himself a woman.”
    â€œNot bad, buddy, not bad at all.”
    â€œSean, can we talk…privately?” she asked, ignoring his friends’ comments.
    He followed her into the laundry room. “I thought you said you were going to be late tonight.”
    â€œI am late. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s nearly ten.”
    â€œBut…what about dinner out with your friends?”
    â€œI ate earlier. Who are those men?” she demanded, pointing toward the kitchen. “And what are they doing here?”
    â€œI should think that much is obvious. We’re playing poker. Now, listen, I know you’re upset—”
    â€œYou might have checked with me first. It would have been the courteous thing to do.”
    Sean sucked in a deep breath. “You’re right, but I didn’t expect you’d be back for another hour.”
    â€œSo you think it’s fine to bring strangers into my apartment without letting me know?” she asked primly.
    â€œIt’s my apartment, too.”
    â€œI’d never pull this kind of stunt without checking with you.”
    â€œStunt,” he flared. “Come on, Hilary, you’re overreacting again.”
    â€œAgain?”
    One of his beer-drinking, card-playing, T-shirt-clad buddies called from the kitchen, “Hey, Sean, the phone’s ringing, you want me to catch it?”
    â€œNo,” Sean shouted impatiently.
    His friend had the receiver to his ear before Hilary or Sean could stop him. “Joe’s Massage Parlor,” he joked. “Women are our specialty.”
    Hilary closed her eyes and leaned against the washing machine.
    â€œJoe,” Sean barked, “give me the receiver.”
    â€œNo,” Hilary cried, springing to life.
    Before either of them reached Joe, he replaced the phone. “Not to worry,” he said with a saucy grin. “It was a wrong number. Some old lady from Frisco looking for her daughter. Your name doesn’t happen to be Hilary, does it?”

CHAPTER FOUR
    â€œH ello, Mom,” Hilary said when the phone promptly rang a second time. “This is an unexpected surprise…especially so late.”
    â€œA young man answered this number only a moment ago. Who was that?”
    â€œYoung man…oh, you mean…Sean,” she said, glaring at her roommate. It would be impossible to explain Joe to her mother. Besides, it was Sean’s fault, anyway. Naturally her mother had her phone on automatic dial so there wasn’t any chance of convincing her she’d gotten the wrong number. “He’s my…neighbor.” Hilary turned her back on Sean and his friends. She could hear them quietly picking up their things and shuffling toward the door, guided, no doubt, by her black-hearted roommate.
    â€œNeighbor, you say,” her mother repeated slowly. “Is he handsome?”
    â€œMother, please. We were talking, and when the phone rang I asked