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last name was. He’d only introduced himself as “Bob” before he listed the rules of his place when she’d first inquired about renting. No pets. No parties. No Subleasing. No smoking. Rent was due on the first every month. No extensions. One month deposit up front. The apartment was partially furnished, but Alabama had bought her own small bed. No way was she sleeping where someone else had done who-knew-what. She’d had to do that throughout her childhood. Alabama swore to herself once she’d graduated from high school and set out on her own that she’d never sleep on a used mattress again. So far, she’d managed it.
    The one room apartment Bob advertised was really a misnomer, as the only “room” in the place was the bathroom, but that was okay with her. Alabama lived alone and didn’t really need any more space.
    Just as she was nodding off to sleep, there was a knock at the door. Alabama bolted upright. What the hell? No one came to her apartment. She didn’t have any friends. No one ever just dropped in. Was it one of her neighbors? She’d seen the old lady who lived on the same floor as her. They’d smiled at one another, but hadn’t really spoken to each other. That had to be who was at her door.
    She looked down at herself. She was wearing sweats and a large T-shirt. She shrugged. It wasn’t as if she needed to impress anyone. It was either her neighbor or someone who was knocking on the wrong door anyway.
    Alabama went to the door and cracked it open an inch. Of course Bob hadn’t spent the extra money to install doors with peepholes in them. Cheapskate.             
    The absolute last person she expected to see standing outside her door was Christopher. She suddenly realized she didn’t even know his last name. She just stood there like an idiot staring at him through the crack in the door. What the hell was he doing here?
    “Hey, Alabama. I wanted to stop by and make sure you were all right.”
    After staring at him for a few moments, Alabama shook herself. At the rise of his eyebrows, she bravely ignored her self-imposed no talking rule and couldn’t help but ask, “How did you find me?”
    She was amazed to see a rosy hue rise up his face. Holy hell, was he blushing? She’d never in a million years have thought a man like him would blush.
    “Yeah, well, I figured since your name was pretty unusual you wouldn’t be too hard to find…and I was right. Did you know you’re the only person in Riverton named Alabama? I was all ready to ask the Wolfe’s about someone who worked for them named ‘Alabama’ when my buddy called back about two point three seconds after I sent him your name and city. You’re apparently really easy to find, probably too easy, we need to talk about that… Anyway, he found you and here I am.”
    Alabama could only stare at him in disbelief. Christopher actually tracked her down? Had one of his buddies track her down? Why? If he wanted to thank her he could’ve just called and left a message with the Wolfe’s or something. Alabama had so many things she wanted to ask, but her brain wasn’t cooperating.
    “Yeah, so anyway, I did want to come by and thank you and see if you wanted to have a cup of coffee with me sometime.”
    When she didn’t say anything in reply Christopher continued as if she’d agreed with him. “Okay, great. So how about I pick you up tomorrow around eleven? We’ll go to that little coffee shop downtown and we’ll chat.” He chuckled at himself in amusement. “Well, maybe I’ll chat and you’ll listen.” He got serious and leaned in. His voice was pitched low and demanding.
    “I want to sit down with you and thank you properly for saving my life, and saving countless others as well. I don’t know you, but I want to know you. You probably don’t want any thanks, but you’re getting it anyway, at least from me. Will you be here tomorrow when I come to pick you up?”
    Alabama nodded immediately. When Christopher