I barely have the energy to unlock the door and hobble into my apartment, but as soon as I do, the smell of some meaty dish hits me and makes my mouth water. I hang my purse up and step into my slippers.
“Smells amazing, Alice! Sorry I’m home so late.” Alice steps out from the kitchen. She’s wearing cutoffs and a sleeveless tank top. “I got stuck in a negotiation that wouldn’t end,” I say.
She shakes her head. “No worries. I figured.”
“What’s for dinner?” I call back as I head to my bedroom.
“Ossobuco.”
“Hell yeah!”
My room is perfectly neat and tidy, despite the mess I leave it in every morning. I still feel a little bad about Alice cleaning up after me all the time, but not bad enough to do my own laundry. Like she reminds me, it’s part of our arrangement. I see that she’s left out some casual clothes for me to wear, black leggings and a sweatshirt.
I get out of my taupe pencil skirt and periwinkle blouse, leaving them both on the floor in a heap. Off come my bra and tights, and on go my comfy clothes.