SAM RANG THE BELL ON THE FRONT of the brownstone and waited. He was more nervous than he wanted to admit. This isn't a date, he told himself. Gaia probably doesn't even think about me like that. She only invited me over as a friend. The Body That didn't do much to help. But at least he was going to get to see Gaia. Since Thanksgiving they had barely spoken. Her visit was the last thing he had expected. He heard feet coming toward the door at a near run. There was a fumble of latches, and the heavy wooden door swung open. "Sam!" said Gaia. "You came." "I said I would come," he replied. "Yeah, but I figured Heather would call, and you would . . ." Gaia stopped and shook her head. "Never mind. Come on in while I grab my stuff. I just got back myself." Sam followed her inside the brownstone. "Where have you been?" "I had an errand to take care of," said Gaia. "But it's all worked out now." Sam nodded and looked around the room. "This is a great place," he said. He looked up at the high ceilings and the heavy molding.
