ht of the streetlamps。
Serena stepped out of the cab and waved to Roland； the old night
doorman； who was dozing just inside the lobby。 The door to the
apartment building opened； but it wasn’t Roland who opened it。 It
was Nate。
“Nate！” Serena squealed； genuinely surprised。 “Hey； could you loan
me five bucks？ I haven’t got enough cash。 Usually the doorman
helps me out； but I guess he’s asleep。”
Nate pulled a wad of bills out of his pocket and gave some to the
taxi driver。 He put his finger to his lips and crept up to the front door
of the building。 Then he knocked loudly on the glass door。 “Hello？”
he shouted。
“Oh； Nate；” Serena laughed。 “You are so mean！”
Roland snapped his eyes open and nearly fell off his chair。 Then he
opened the door for them； and Serena and Nate ran inside and rode
the elevator up to Serena’s apartment。
Serena led the way to her room and sat down heavily on the bed。
“Did you get my message？” she yawned at Nate； pulling off her
boots。 “I thought you’d e out tonight。”
“I couldn’t；” Nate said。 He picked up the little glass ballerina
perched on top of Serena’s mahogany jewelry chest。 She had the
tiniest toes； like little pinpoints。 He’d forgotten about her。
“Well； it wasn’t worth it anyway；” Serena sighed。 She lay down on
the bed。 “I am so tired；” she said。 She patted the bed next to her
and slid over to give Nate room。 “e lie down and tell me a
bedtime story？”
Nate put the ballerina down and swallowed。 Breathing in the scent
of Serena’s room with Serena in it made his heart hurt。 He lay down
next to her； their bodies touching。 Nate put his arm around Serena