“It was a joke. I’m not going to stalk you.” Well, maybe a little, I think.
A sad look fills her eyes as a weak smile crosses her lips. Either this girl has a mood disorder or she hit her head harder than I thought. I’m about to ask if she’s okay, when she shakes off whatever demon she’d been thinking about and crosses the street.
Stopping right in front of my new building, she turns and places her hands on her hips. I think I’m about to get a lecture when instead she shocks me with her next statement. “This is my stop.”
Well fuck. This scenario can play out just one of two ways, and I’m not sure I like either one of them.
I smile and look up at the place that is now my home. “We’re neighbors.”
She nods and I get the feeling this is something she already knew. “Yep. Right. Next. Door.” She flashes a brilliant smile that settles somewhere deep in my chest. “I’ve lived here five years, and I kind of figured you must be the new guy in apartment 2B.”
Apartment 2B. I find it odd that our apartments have a number and a letter to mark them. I’m tempted to ask, but she keeps talking, and I’m really into watching her lips move.
“If you don’t have plans later today, I’m cooking dinner for a few friends. You’re welcome to join us.”
Perfect. “What ti—”
“Damian!” Reed is standing on the landing outside my front door. “Dude we’re late, and we need to get your car.”
Fucking Reed. His red hair is a wild mess and his blue eyes are clearly laughing at me, with the knowledge he just ruined my game.
If I wanted Reed to die, the look I shot him would have done the trick. His lips turn up in a mocking smile, his eyes land on Addison, and that smile turns into mischief.
“Reed, this is my neighbor, Addison Peacock. Addison, this is my idiot friend, Harry Reed.”
“Hey, sorry dude. Don’t mean to piss on your rainbow, but we’ve gotta go. If you want to be at Emily’s before lunch, you best put a fire under your ass.” He turns his attention on Addison and starts to walk down the stairs. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I don’t live here, but I’ll be crashing on the couch a lot. So if you need anything, new neighbor, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Addison can’t hold in her laugh as I smack the asshole in the head. “Give me five and we can go.” I turn my attention back to her. “I’ll have to take a rain check on that dinner and don’t worry, I won’t invite the redhead.”
“Who’s Emily?” It’s an innocent enough question, and I can sense her disappointment that I’m not staying.
“She’s a friend.”
She doesn’t push for more, despite the curious look in her eye.
We walk up the stairs together and part ways at the top. I’m walking into my apartment when she stops me.
“Hey Damian.” I turn, drawn to the sound of her soft voice. “Welcome to the building.” A smile crosses my face as she disappears behind her front door.
“Let’s hear about the chick.” Reed is driving his beat up monster truck to College Hospital where I left my 4Runner.
“She’s my neighbor.” The gas stations and diners on the side of the road blur by as we make our way north.
“That’s all you’re giving me?” Reed looks at me incredulously.
”Not much to say. I barely know her.”
Shifting my focus on Reed, he’s working his mouth back and forth contemplating something.
“Spit it out.”
He shrugs.
“Don’t shrug. What’s on your mind?” I ask.
“She’s hot.”
I belt out a laugh. “Why are you pointing out the obvious?”
“Because you seem interested, and it’s been a long time since a woman’s caught your attention.”
I look out the window. “Like you said, she’s hot. It’s impossible not to notice. But she’s not really my type.”
He taps the steering wheel with his thumb. “Right, like I believe that one. Just watch yourself; you tend to get caught up in the moment when your dick is doing the thinking for you.”
I flip my head in his direction. “Shit, Reed. I’m not some hopeless romantic.”
“No, you’re not. But you’re also blind when it comes to a nice piece of ass. Samantha Martin? Ashley Woodsmoke? Carrie Sanders? Robi—”
“Stop, I get it. We’re neighbors, that’s all.”
We drive into the parking lot, and I pull my beanie over my head. I hadn’t planned on