Page 35 of You'll Love it Here

“It’s interesting.” But Sami’s expression gives him away.

“Hear that, Lornie? Now you have to watch.”

“Oh, stop.” She flicks her hand as though Carmen said something truly naughty, the shine of her maroon nails dancing in the sunlight.

I smile too, but immediately Carmen looks away, while Lorna checks her watch. “I better get going,” she mutters.

“I’ll walk you. I’m headed that way too,” Carmen offers, and trails after her.

As soon as they’re out of earshot, Sami leans into me and whispers, “That guy’s movies recs are never great, but curiosity always gets me.”

I half smile, before remembering the unfortunate noises his film made earlier today. “It’s nice you get along with so many people in the building. I’m pretty sure everyone hates me now that I’ve taken over super duties.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Sami says, too sincerely. “Everyone here seems pretty chill.”

I can’t stop myself—I actually guffaw. Sami sends me a sideways look. “Sorry.” I clear my throat. “It’s just—nothow I’d describe it. I had to break up a fight my first day on the job. And it’s not exactly gotten better.”

“Are you serious?”

I nod. “Jane was kicking Carmen’s packages across the hall and accusing him of stealing panties, and Carmen asked Jane if he could borrow her cat’s turds so he could literally box them up. And then with Norman, I don’t know where to star—”

I’m about to go into what went down at Norm’s but stop myself as soon as I turn to face Sami. The easygoing smile has fallen from his face, and it’s like the air has somehow flattened.

“Yeah, that’s tough.” His jaw tightens as he stares back toward the diner. Something I’ve said has broken a string I didn’t realize was there until now. “That sounds like they might have stuff going on we don’t know about then, eh?”

“Maybe...” I pretend to concede, although I definitely don’t see it that way. “How are you always so good with people? Don’t you ever get annoyed?”

Sami shrugs. “It kind of comes with the territory of being the diner guy, I guess. People come in for coffee in the morning, half awake, grumpy, whatever. You get five minutes with them, tops. No idea where they’re from or where they’re heading. Least I can do is remember how they like their coffee, maybe make things a little less crap for them.”

The sincerity in his expression can’t be faked. He’s really a good person. And I am... I don’t know.

“Hey, Sami, can I ask some advice?”

He gives my face a once-over. “Of course.”

“So, as you can probably imagine, I’ve had a bit of a tough time communicating with the residents. I’m noyou.” I smile stiffly. “And I need to get the rest of the electrical inspections done, but most people ignored my Slack request to let the inspector in.”

A wince shows up for a flash before he quells it. “I heard about the Slack...”

My jaw drops. “People complained?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. But one or two people mentioned it.” He rubs the back of his head. “I think people are used to Irene’s chattiness when she wants something, so maybe it’s a little impersonal?”

I nod like this isn’t the most ridiculous thing. Sami’s eyes seem to pick up on what I’m thinking and soften. “Don’t worry, I’m sure people will get used to it eventually.”

“Only these inspections, they’re important. I have the electrician returning June eighth and if they aren’t all completed then, the building could be screwed.”

“They’re that important, eh?”

I nod. Of course, making sure the building is up to code is important, but more pressing: Lana needs a cleared electrical report because without it I guess it’s pretty much impossible to sell the place. I nudge Sami’s arm playfully. “Don’t suppose we can fast-forward things if you tell everyone that I’m a wonderful person and they should listen to my instructions?”

“Hmm, I mean, I could try.” He nudges me back and a warm buzz pulls through me. His gaze drifts through the front-door window toward the lobby. “But I think it would be better if they see that for themselves. Hey, what if we do something, like, a mixer?”

His eyes are too bright for the words that just came out of his mouth. “Oh! That’s an interesting...approach.” I try and fail to keep the cringe out of my tone. I genuinely don’t know if these people can even handle anything like a mixer. Not after what I’ve seen of their interactions with one another and the world at large.

Sami must pick up on my skepticism because he continues, voice bolstered, “No, seriously, this could be great! We could tell everyone it’s a meet and greet for you and welcome them to share any ideas or issues with the building.”

Okay, that sounds somehowworsethan a mixer. Giving those people a pedestal to complain means I’ll be hearing about the geese feedings and package thefts for hours on end. “Yeah, maybe. Although I’m not sure I’d be able to take onnewsuggestions when I’m having trouble getting even smaller things done as it stands.”