What is happening? What. Is. Happening? Have I entered the twilight zone or something? I swear I can hear that creepy “nehneh-nehneh nehneh-nehneh” coming from somewhere. How did my hand find itself in Wes’s, being tugged from the coffee shop, while my nowex-best friend stands idly by. She issogoing to pay for this.
“Where to? I really appreciate you letting me tag along.” Wes says this like I had a choice in the matter. He’s good—too good—and what did he mean he’s not here on vacation? I need to regain control of this situation. He seems perfectly content to insert himself into my life, and that can’t happen. I may have been mooning over how I wished I could find a man like him just last night, but I didn’t meanhimhim. The universe is playing with me, I swear.
“I’m notlettingyou—you invited yourself. And seeing as this is a public street, I can’t exactly stop you.” I pull my hand from his, trying to keep my emotions in check. I shouldnotinstantly miss the contact of his warm skin. I turn and quickly stalk off down the street, thoughts zeroed in on all things laundry detergent and eggs and not the way this infuriating man is making me feel.
“Wait.” He jogs to catch up to me, which doesn’t take him long. How tall is this guy anyway? “Come on, is my company really that bad? I’m sorry I inserted myself into your plans, but seriously, my apartment is bare. I also haven’t lived in Sydney in twelve years, and it definitely wasn’t in this part of town. I’m all turned around.”
So he just moved here, that makes sense, but still… How is this real? I let myself glance up at him, taking in his profile. Damn, he is gorgeous. My eyes slide down his body, to the white T-shirt that hugs his muscled arms and the jeans that hang just right on his hips.
Ugh, stop, Joss. It doesn’t matter how appealing he is, you don’t have space in your life for this.
Not thatthisis anything.
“The only reason for this little excursion is to fill your fridge? No ulterior motives?” I stop and turn to face him fully, raising a skeptical brow. I won’t be hisWelcome to Sydneyconquest, if that’s what he’s after. Casual doesn’t gel with my trust issues. Although, according to Jaz, neither do relationships, so I’m not sure where that leaves me.
“I mean, I do need groceries. But do you want me to lie and say I’m not glad we bumped into each other again? I won’t. Of all the coffee shops and all the women in Sydney, what are the chances?” He gives a little shrug with his hands still deep in his pockets. He looks almost boyish like this.
Okay, fine, maybe his intentions are more innocent than I gave him credit for. Heisnew here, maybe he could use a friend. He looks down at his shoes, avoiding my eyes. Then, like he’s said too much and needs to do something with his hands, he runs one through his hair. That perfect hair. I’m distracted by it until he grabs a baseball cap from his back pocket and slips it onto his head.
I immediately stiffen. No. It can’t be. It’s not. I shake my head, clearing the rogue thought. I’m still staring, trying to get a better look at it, when Wes looks up and tilts his head.
“What’s that?” I say at the same time he says, “What?”
He reaches up to touch his hat, feeling around for something amiss.
“Nothing, it’s just… I thought I recognized your hat from somewhere. Never mind. Let’s go.” All my words come out jumbled as I start walking again. I’m still trying to convince myself that it’s a funny coincidence—anotherfunny coincidence, that is.
“Are you sure? Have you ever been to Lake Tahoe? It’s from a ski resort there.” He motions to the weathered patch on the front. “Do you ski?”
His voice carries over the breeze, but I’m barely listening as I contemplate the possibility of Wes living right next door to me. Those aren’t short-term apartments. How would I manage to avoid him if he’s right there ALL. THE. TIME?
“Hey, Grey? You listening?”
He’s waving a hand in front of my face now and I finally snap out of my spiraling thoughts, particularly when I hear him use the ridiculous nickname he gave me at the airport yesterday. “Sorry, got lost in thought there. What did you say?”
“I asked if you ski? Or snowboard?” He points to his hat again, and I note the word Heavenly and the large letter H logo.
“Oh, no, I don’t. Always wanted to though.” I can almost hear my brain making whirring sounds as it tries to process the confirmation. Yep, the universe has really done it. He’s my neighbor. “Did you say you just moved here? Like, tolive?”
“Yeah. I’m here for a year on a work visa. I spent two years here in college and have always wanted to come back.”
Before I have time to unpack this, we’ve arrived at Woolworths and agree to branch off to different parts of the store. I contemplate making a run for it when I see him turn down the men’s hygiene aisle, but what kind ofneighborwould that make me? Instead, I veer my cart toward the chocolate section—I’m going to need lots of it as I come to terms with my new reality.
Once I’ve gathered what I need to get through the next couple of days, I meet Wes at the front with our baskets and check out. I smile when I see I’m not the only one with upward of three packs of Tim Tams in my haul.
“So, where are you living?” I have to hear him say it.
Not a single flicker of recognition passes across his blue eyes.
“Oh, um, I’m in those newer tower apartments. Kings Cross Rise?” It comes out like a question. “They’re just a block from that coffee shop.” A smile tugs at his lips, clearly pleased that we ran into each other.
Just you wait, Wes. You have no idea how much we’re about to see of one another.
I let out a little groan, stopping in my tracks to face him, and look up at the sky like I’m pleading with God.
“I knew it…” I drop my gaze to look directly into Wes’s eyes. “You’re my new neighbor.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
