“You seem to be on pretty good terms with Frank?” I let some incredulity slip into my tone and she visibly relaxes at the change of subject.
“He’s a hard nut to crack; it’s not personal. It’ll take him a while to warm up to you. Especially because you’re American. He’ll assume you’re just passing through and won’t want to get attached.”
Huh, interesting.
“And what about you? Have you warmed up to me yet?” I give hermy most charming smile, and unlike Frank, she reacts. Her eyes trail over my face, her cheeks heating as she bites on her bottom lip. What does that blush mean?
She’s saved by the bell, or in this case, the ding of the elevator. Part of me is surprised to find myself standing outside my own door. I wasn’t paying close enough attention to where we were going. Thefact that I am indeed standing at my front door as Joss continues down the hall is the final proof that weareneighbors.
I pull my keys from my pocket as Joss does the same, and I laugh quietly at the ridiculousness of the situation. Joss narrows her attention on me, looking adorable as her face bunches up in confusion.
“What?” A hint of apprehension lines her tone, like she’s concerned I’m laughing at her.
“It’s just that I followed you here like a lost puppy. You could have led me literally anywhere and I would have followed. Yet here we are.” I gesture at the space between our doors. “It just feels like fate or something.”
I laugh again, lower this time. Fate? Do I even believe in fate? I must be more tired than I thought.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a serial killer,” she says with a straight face, but there’s a lilting, teasing quality to her voice. “Luring you to my secret lair for you to rub lotion on yourself.”
I nearly choke as I bark out a laugh.
“Did you just referenceSilence of the Lambs? Wow, you and I are going to be great friends. That was dark, Grey.” She laughs too, the sound bright and enticing, and I find that I mean the words. I think I may have just found my first new friend in my new city. It makes the distance from home feel a little less overwhelming.
She unlocks her door first and steps in, then hesitates and pops her head back out.
“Wes?”
“Yeah?”
“Since you never got that cup of coffee this morning, when you’re done putting your groceries away, I can make you one.”
It’s an olive branch. Maybe she needs a friend too.
“Yeah. That would be great actually.”
“Okay, see you in a minute.”
Closing the door behind me, I set my bags of groceries on the counter and begin unloading them. I can imagine Joss going through the same motions. I wonder if her floorplan is like mine or if it’s flipped. Maybe her kitchen shares a wall with mine. I’m about to go tap a little “ratta tat tat” on the wall when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Breck’s name on the screen.
Breck
How’d you sleep? Jet lag kicking your ass? Let me know if you’re still up for lunch in a bit.
Me
Better than expected honestly. Just got some groceries. About to have coffee with my new neighbor. Let me know what time for lunch.
Breck
How about 1? Neighbor, huh? Replacing me already? He better not be prettier than me.
Me
She is definitely prettier than you
I set the phone on the counter, not bothering to read his reply before walking out my door and down the hall.
CHAPTER EIGHT
