I catch myself and remember not to worry. It shouldn’t matter. None of this matters. It’s not like Trevor will actually change his opinion about me.
“I said you could come over for ten minutes, Anya. Don’t you want to see the museum?” he asks. Anya lets out a sigh and nods.
“She can stay for longer if she wants; it’s no problem for me,” I protest and he turns his eyes on me. Narrowed and glaring.
“I have a whole day planned, and this will be a waste of our time.” He sounds cold and firm. Despite the way my body is physically reacting to his male presence, I can’t stop myself from judging his attitude. What is wrong with him? Why does he always have to be so grumpy?
Anya gets off the stool and walks over to her father. He offers to lift her up in his arms, and slowly, a smile is forming on her face.
“Why don’t you come over some other time? Soon? We can color together,” I try. She nods before laying her head on her father’s shoulder.
It’s a sweet moment. I guess I have to admit that despite what I think of Trevor as a man and a neighbor, he is clearly a good father. The relationship he shares with Anya is respectful and affectionate.
“I hope you have a good day, Blaire,” he says before turning and walking away. It sounded like he didn’t actually mean it.
Once again, I am alone in my apartment, but I can’t stop thinking about them.
It’s like I’m tempting fate and enjoying the game.
It’s Sunday night, and I know the music is probably too loud.
I have spent all day nursing a hangover. I managed to go for a run and took a long bath, and by the time I was starting to feel relaxed, the day was almost over.
So I’ve invited a few friends over to my apartment and ordered some pizzas. I would have asked Kim to come over too, but she hasn’t been answering my calls. I guess she’s busy and tired at work, and too caught up with what’s happening with Kirk. I wish the two of them would just own up to their feelings for each other.
My three friends, Jessie, Maria, and Lacy, are sitting around my living room. I have the karaoke machine going, and Lacy brought a few six-packs with her.
The fact is that none of us can sing. Not to save our lives. But the beer has given them the confidence they need to mask our serious lack of talent. I haven’t been drinking tonight. Beer isn’t really my thing and I’m still kinda hungover from last night.
Maria and Jessie are now in the middle of a duet and they break into a loud screeching chorus when there’s a loud rap on the door.
I barely hear it over their voices.
I get off the floor and go to the door. Before I’ve even opened the door, I know who it is.
Did I organize this little party tonight just to smoke him out in my direction? I feel a pang of guilt and frustration in the pit of my stomach. Since when did I start stooping this low for a man’s attention? Negative attention at that!
So when I open the door and see Trevor in front of me, I’m already mad at him.
I’m mad at him for forcing me to behave immaturely.
He’s wearing dark slacks and a chunky grey sweater. He has dark stubble on his chin, and there’s a bit of tiredness in his eyes that betrays his age. I’m not sure how old he is exactly, but he’s certainly older than me. Closer to forty.
I turned thirty four months ago.
“Yes?” I bark at him over the music in the background.
He’s standing with his hands pushed into the pockets of his slacks.
“You know why I’m here, Blaire; do you want me to actually say it?” he growls. Neither of us are smiling.
I know I’m at fault, but I won’t admit it.
“No, I don’t know why you’re here, so you should either tell me or leave.”
I make an attempt at shutting the door but he blocks it with his arm. His strong, muscular arm. My anger grows within me. The more I want him, the madder I am at myself for being this weak.
“The music is too loud. The singing is very bad. I don’t need to remind you that I have a five-year-old who is currently asleep but won’t be for very long if