they both stood quickly, their eyes on Ian. Their reaction was almost reverent - and a little intimidating.
"David. Kim. Let me introduce you to Elena Castillo, Gabby's mother."
"A pleasure," Kim told me. "You work with Ashley, correct?"
"In the leasing office, yes," I clarified.
David offered his hand around her. "I've heard a lot about your daughter. Please tell me you know they're a thing?"
"I do," I assured him. "Her first boyfriend, and I'm not ready for this."
"Ms. Castillo?" Kim asked. "I was wondering if we'd be allowed to invite Gabby over for dinner one night to get to know her better?"
"Of course," I assured them.
Ian broke in. "And when things are slower at the office, Elena and I will repay the gesture. I mean, we should get our cookouts in before it gets too cold, right?"
David chuckled. "True, but don't feel beholden. Kim loves to cook, and it doesn't take much to convince her. I just need a little ammunition to keep Roman in line. I can't believe he's getting a car tomorrow!"
That finally broke the ice, and I started to relax. Before I knew it, I was sitting with the Whelans talking about how fast time had flown. It was nice. More so when I found out that they were just people like me. Kim worked at a bank. David was a postal employee. Roman had a younger sister I'd never heard about. Evidently, I needed to rethink the kind of residents who lived inside the town's most exclusive gated community, because I'd expected more doctors and lawyers. Less... normal.
A few hours in, Pax politely stole me away to introduce me to Olivia's family. After that, Trent had me talk to a younger couple expecting their first child. Then it was Lane and someone else. One by one, they took their turns, and I was finally starting to get to know the people I lived beside - and not just the sexy neighbors. No, they were making sure I knew I was as welcome as everyone else, and none of the guests seemed to care at all.
But it wasn't only the people from Wolf's Run at the party. Quite a few parents had dropped off their teenagers. Others were standing along the wall to keep an eye on their kid. The difference was that those of us who lived here actually wanted to talk to each other. The visitors, not so much.
Eventually, I ended up back with Ian. I hadn't planned it, but I couldn't be sure he hadn't. When he led me to a quiet spot near one of the windows, I knew he had. Then again, with the loud music playing, it was a lot more private than I'd expected, so I could even apologize for the other night.
"Hey," I said, touching his arm to get his attention. "What happened Thursday..."
He immediately turned to face me. "Made me happy for you," he finished. "Elena, I was just curious why the house was empty. Nothing more. I'm not about to judge you."
I nodded. "I just feel like I owe you an apology. You asked me for a date twice now, and I keep saying no, but then that happens…"
He leaned closer, his mouth by my ear. "You don't. Nor an explanation, an excuse, or anything else." Then he brushed a single strand of hair behind my ear. "And you look beautiful today. I'm not sure if anyone's told you that yet."
I glanced down at my outfit. It wasn't anything spectacular, just a pair of skinny jeans, heeled boots that came to my knees, and a cream-colored sweater. I'd picked it to blend in, not stand out.
"From that look," he teased, "I'd say they haven't. I still prefer the bikini, though."
Which meant he'd seen more than I thought. "I told Ashley," I said, leaning back to see his face.
He shrugged. "Good. Maybe next time, I'll join in."
Those words made my heart beat a little faster. My response almost made it stop. "Ok."
For the first time, I saw true surprise on his face. Clearly, that was not at all what he'd expected me to say. Oddly, I liked the way that made me feel, like I no longer had to be timid around him. And I had been. Sure, I had plenty of reasons for it, but Ashley was right. What Gabby didn't know wouldn't hurt her, and I had no intention of her finding out what I did with any man, let alone the ones who lived beside us.
"Please tell