Meeting Ava and Vanessa*

#203 is a trio of college students, all 20 as of the time the note was made. A busty black girl answers my knock. “Hello, may I help you?” she asks.

“Actually, it’s mostly supposed to be the other way around,” I confess. I hand her my card. “I’m Iain Roberts—I’m the new building manager. I’m just going around introducing myself to the tenants. My cell number is on there—it’s the best way to get a hold of me if you need me.”

The girl’s face lights up. “Oh, cool,” she says, holding out her hand. “I’m Ava Sanders. Come on in.”

“Thank you,” I say. I give her hand a quick squeeze, then follow her into the apartment. “One of the things I’m doing is collecting pictures of the tenants, just to help me keep everyone straight. I can take your picture, or if you prefer, you can send me one.”

“Here, take mine,” says another voice. I look over to see a full-figured blonde reclining on a couch. “I’m Vanessa Stuart,” she says. “Go ahead—this is good, right?”

“I’m certainly not complaining,” I tell her, and take the shot with my phone.

“Of course,” Vanessa adds, getting a wicked look in her eye, “we could make it a little more interesting . . . How do you like this?”

“I have to admit,” I respond with a grin, “I’m not complaining about this, either.”

“Good,” she purrs.

“Mr. Roberts?” Ava calls. “I need to get going—would you like to come take my picture before I need to head out?”

“Of course,” I say. I nod to Vanessa and follow Ava’s voice.

When I find her, I notice she has her shorts unsnapped. “Is this a good pose?” she asks.

“I like it,” I tell her.

“I’d like to do a little more, but I don’t have time,” Ava says.

“There’s always next time,” I tell her with a grin.