"Any other questions?" Kimberly Black says, looking at Duncan Kincaid. They both stand in the kitchen in her apartment, where she finishes up interviewing him as a potential roommate.

"None that I can think of at the moment," Duncan says smiling. "I'm just really hoping I get to stay here…it's a beautiful apartment, and I just moved into town."

"Really? From where?"

"Um…Fordham Bay," Duncan says quickly, formulating a lie.

Kimberly grins. "I love Fordham Bay! Don't you just love that city?"

"Well, I didn't get out much."

"Yeah, you've got a great body, you've probably been in the gym a lot."

Duncan raises an eyebrow at Kimberly's forward comment. He wonders if living with her is going to be a daily ordeal, but hopefully once he starts his reporter job at the Marquette Cove Messenger, he'll be spending less time at the apartment anyway.

All of which he had explained to Kimberly — who is inexplicably a nurse at the hospital in town. How she ever manages that is beyond Duncan, but maybe she's smarter than she appears to be. Sort of an Elle Woods type.

"Sorry about that," Kimberly says. "Well, look…I've tried calling other applicants, but none of them seem to be returning my calls. And my brothers who live in the building too didn't seem to want to move in either…so I guess the apartment is yours if you want it.

Without worrying any more what he's getting himself into, Duncan extends his hand. "I'll take it."

Kimberly shakes his hand, sealing the deal.

next —>