She then went around and had a few last words. It felt like a good‑bye and she didn't want it to. But it did.
Ten minutes later, while Stone waited in her double‑parked car, she and Jennifer took the elevator up to her Barrow Street apartment.
"Where did you find that man?" Jennifer asked as soon as they got on. "He seems nice. Interesting. He's not a client, is he? And, pardon me for noticing, no wedding ring."
"He actually found me," Ally declared, punching her floor. "It's a long story, but he was a guy I was deeply in love with for about fifteen minutes back around college. The old flame I told you about, remember? Then we started getting on each other's nerves. We're both going easy on the personal details right now, but I've got a hunch he's got nobody else percolating. Which, incidentally, goes for me too, or hadn't you noticed."
They stepped off the elevator and she unlocked the door to her apartment. Knickers exploded with delight.
"Hi, baby." She reached down and ruffled the sheepdog's ears.
"I really love her," Jennifer said as she reached down to pet her too.
Knickers began a dance of joy, then ran to search for her rubber ball behind the couch, hoping for a game of fetch with Jennifer.
"By the way, I can't tell you how I appreciate your taking her. She's going to love being at your place awhile. I'm sure she gets bored crazy being here all the time. I probably should get a puppy or something to keep her company, but then she'd be jealous. And I'm not about to get a stupid cat."
"She loves me because she knows I love her," Jennifer said. "I always play with her when you bring her into the office. At least I think she loves me. This may turn out to be the test."