the dresser
"I assumed when it said 'delivery' on the website, it meant delivery to my door," Ruby reasoned, hands on her hips, looking exasperated.
"Listen lady, if you wanted in home delivery, you have 'ta specify that in the notes. Not my problem," the delivery man said as he let the cardboard box fall the last two inches to the ground from the truck.
She knew there was no point in arguing with him as he walked back around to the door of his vehicle. As he pulled away from the curb and she was left standing in front of her apartment building with a very large box, she realized she had a small problem.
As she tried tipping the box that held her brand new dresser to one side, she sighed as she changed that to a big problem. A heavy problem.
She took a step back to assess her situation. She wondered how long it would take if she just carried it up in several trips of multiple pieces. Then she remembered this was New York, and there was a good chance the remaining pieces would be gone by the time she got back.
She looked up at the building, then back at the box in front of her, laughing dryly.
She starting tilting the box towards her, planning to slowly rotate it onto its side over and over again until she reached the elevator, and then--
She was shocked out of her thoughts by a hand that appeared from behind her, landing on the top of the box, right between her hands.
By the time she focused her eyes on the small scars that were flecked across the rough knuckles, the hand was pushing the box out of her grip, back to an upright position.
"I don't think that's gonna work." A familiar voice from behind her said. She stepped away from the box, turning to see Pete.
"You don't know that," defended Ruby, "I got it."
She stepped back towards the box, but Pete stuck his hand between her and her unassembled furniture.
"I'll trade you," reasoned Frank, who took off his jean jacket and stuck it out to her without making eye contact. When she didn't take it, he shrugged and threw it over his shoulder. He then bent over, and, bracing it against his shoulder, he picked up the box with ease.
Ruby blinked as she watched Pete hoist the box as if it weighed nothing.
"You really didn't have to—" she began, but he was already heading toward the door of the building, not waiting for her to finish. She trailed after him, the words falling out before she could think, "Do you just lurk around the building waiting for people to need heavy lifting?"
He snorted—a sound she wasn't sure she'd ever heard him make before. "That what you think I do?"
"Well, you do always show up when things get... stuck." She motioned vaguely to the box. "The door. The elevator. Now this."
Pete shifted the box slightly against his shoulder to adjust his grip, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "Guess you've got a habit of finding trouble."
She stopped at the door to hold it open for him. "I wouldn't call ordering a dresser online 'trouble.' More like... poor planning."
He ducked slightly to maneuver the box through the doorway, walking ahead of her down the dimly lit hall. Ruby followed, gripping her keys in one hand and her tote bag in the other.
"I don't always need rescuing, you know," Ruby offered, "it just so happens that you've found me during the only moments I've ever needed rescuing."
"Who says I'm rescuing you, huh? I just wanted to save this box from getting flipped end-over-end all the way through this building." His tone was so dry it almost made her laugh.
"Hey, that plan had potential," she shot back, "gravity was on my side."
He reached the elevator and nudged the button with his elbow, leaning slightly against the wall as he waited. "Don't need gravity when you've got me." His lips twitched like he might actually smile, but it passed quickly.
The elevator dinged, and Pete stepped in, turning sideways to fit the box inside. Ruby slipped in after him, biting her lip as the doors closed. She noticed his sharp focus, the tension in his posture as if even in this mundane moment, he was ready for something to go wrong.
"I appreciate it," she said softly, her voice breaking the quiet hum of the elevator. "You've been really helpful."
Pete gave a slight nod but didn't look at her. "It's no problem."
The elevator shuddered slightly as it came to a stop, the doors opening to their floor. Pete didn't hesitate, carrying the box out and heading straight for her door. She quickened her pace to unlock it before he reached it.
"I can take it from here," she offered once the door was open.
He shot her a look that said he wasn't buying it, then carried the box over the threshold and set it down in the corner of her living room. Ruby hovered awkwardly by the door, unsure what to say as he straightened up, brushing his hands off on his jeans.
"Shouldn't try lifting stuff like that," he said after a moment, his tone more serious now. "Might hurt yourself."
She folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Noted. I'll call for backup next time."
The smallest hint of a smile pulled at Pete's lips. He nodded approvingly. Then, without another word, he headed back toward the door. Ruby followed, stopping just short of reaching for his arm as he pulled it open.
"Pete," she called after him, her voice softer now. He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Thanks again."
He held her gaze for a second longer than she expected, then gave a small nod and disappeared down the hall, leaving Ruby to shut the door behind him. She turned and glared at the box.
"You better be worth the trouble," she murmured.