Didn't Expect You (Against All Odds #2) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,22

a lot different, but we’re not. I understand you. Family comes first, and we protect our own,” he continues. “Even when you’re upset because she treated you like shit, there’s this need to protect her ingrained in your brain. We can at least figure out what she’s up to so you can have one less thing to worry about.”

“I don’t want to like you,” I warn him.

He laughs and takes my fortune, reading it out loud, “A lifetime of happiness lies ahead of you.”

Nate waves the small paper and says, “This could be us.”

I smirk and put a cookie in front of him. “Let’s see what the cookie has to say about your future.”

He rolls his eyes, unwraps it and breaks it, handing me the small paper while he takes a bite of the crispy cookie.

“Love is like sweet medicine, good to the last drop.”

I read it out loud, and he says, “Do you know that fortune cookies are not a tradition in China? There was a big debate back in the eighties about where and who served them first. Rumor has it that it was in fact a Japanese immigrant in the early nineteenth century. They baked them without the fortunes. That came a few years later somewhere in San Francisco.”

“Subtle change of subject,” I state. “Also, a pretty random fact.”

“That’s me, I store useless information,” he concludes and checks his watch. “It’s time for me to leave. I’ll pick you up tomorrow so we can go for breakfast.”

“Eros told me he’ll—”

“Before you protest, remember that Ford’s place is close by,” he interrupts me as he starts gathering the trash while I put away the leftovers. “It makes sense that I’m the one picking you up. Your brother mentioned that we could leave Brock with your parents. As you already know, he likes company.”

As much as I want to disagree with his suggestion, he’s right. Driving in separate cars doesn’t make sense, and this is for Brock’s gain, not mine.

“Okay,” I agree and remind him, “We’re only friends.”

“Are you saying that for your benefit or mine?” He throws a charming grin my way. “Kidding. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

I narrow my gaze, not knowing if he quoted a movie or said that casually so I answer with, “You talking to me?”

He winks at me. “You’re my people, Nyx. Other than Ford, no one answers me with another movie quote. I hate to leave, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After his departure, I feel like the end of my day wasn’t as bad as I thought. It actually changed my perception of the daunting week and my mood.

Nine

Nate

Around seven in the morning, I arrive at Nyx’s house.

“Stay. I’m just going to get Nyx,” I order Brock.

He pants and wags his tail excitedly. I’ve yet to understand how it is that he connected with Nyx in less than a week. He’s a friendly guy with everyone who crosses his path. With her…he simply adores her. If I allowed it, he’d pack his toys, bowl, and blanket and move in with Nyx on a whim.

As I’m about to ring the doorbell, a voice comes from the camera, “I’ll be out in a moment,” Nyx says.

I don’t answer back, unsure if she can hear me, but I stay by the door. A couple of minutes later, she steps outside her house, wearing a sweatshirt from Duke University, light washed skinny jeans, and a pair of hiking boots. Instead of having her hair up in her trademark bun, she’s wearing it in a ponytail. I like it better when it’s down past her shoulders and her shoulders are bare.

“Morning, sunshine,” she greets me, handing me one of the traveling mugs she’s holding before shutting the door and locking it. “Coffee, black like your soul, but with a few drops of rose syrup.”

“Hey, you look great,” I observe, taking a sip of my coffee which tastes good but has a sweet after taste. “You tainted my coffee.”

“No, I added some TLC,” she corrects me, kissing my cheek. “Thank you for picking me up.”

My gaze trails behind her as I touch my cheek which burns after the contact from her lips. It’s a friendly kiss. A soft caress. And it leaves me breathless.

What is it about this woman that pulls me toward her?

Don’t get me wrong. She’s stunning, smart, and witty, but what I feel for her is more than the simple attraction I could have for a woman. It’s a lot