The lack of recognition at his name was refreshing, and Steve flashed his trademark grin again. Deftly, he lifted the pizza from her hands with a faint bow. Only polite, again, to take the burden of lunch from her. He led the way into the apartment building, unlocking the door firs before stepping aside to let her enter first.
The place was clean - he hadn't had a chance to dirty it up, after all, and now that he took the time to view it, it was comfortably decorated. A bit retro, the style might say, but comfortably so. There was a round dining room table, clear and sturdy wood with clean lines, to one side, surrounded by four chairs. The appliances were chrome and white, advanced but not flashy and modern. Rounded corners and earthen materials abounded, with a large bookshelf stuffed with novels, an inviting sofa, and a heavy, deep-set armchair settled by a fireplace. There was an old record player on one wall, sitting beside a stack of LPs. Steve could see, with some surprise, that the top vinyl was Margin Gaye's Freeman soundtrack. He hadn't gotten a chance to listen to it, but it had been Sam's suggestion, placed on his list of Things To Catch Up On.
The place felt good, not merely inviting. That was why he distrusted it. He tried to hide his frown as he invited Harleen inside. "Ladies first."