After a brief ascent by elevator, Melissa found herself outside her boyfriend's door, knocking softly and waiting for him to answer. She hoped that he was in better shape than the last time she visited.
The door swung inward, and Aiden's stubbly face poked through the crack. His hair was combed, and his eyes were clear. It was hard to suppress the wave of relief when she realized that he wasn't completely strung out and ready to faint. “Hey!” Aiden said. “It's about time. I was starting to worry.”
“Are you saying I'm late?”
“No. I would never dream of it.”
A frown twisted her mouth, but she nodded just the same. “Good,” Melissa said, stepping into the apartment. “Because I'll have you know that I have never been late, and I don't intend to start.”
He backed away from her with hands ra
