“Would you like to freshen up at my apartment before we go to dinner?” Not sure how much freshening up was going to happen, she nevertheless agreed. Mich suggested she send his address to Joni so her friend wouldn’t worry, which resulted in a scathing return text with severe admonishments to be careful. A second text—telling Kiki to have fun and get her some of that—arrived as Mich parked in the underground garage for a newer building in a well-maintained area of Palermo. Kiki burst out laughing. Mich opened her door and offered his hand, in a move she associated with men like her father, not young professionals. “Do I want to know?” “I don’t think so.” He pulled her toward him, keeping her inside his personal space as he pushed the door shut behind her and armed the car’s alarm. “Oh...I get the feeling, maybe I do.” He smiled down at her, his dark eyes teasing.
