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She turns to face me, her hands on my bare chest, her eyes wide, her body warm. “Sorry. I’m such a clutz.”
“Don’t sweat it.” I use my finger to swipe some stray auburn hair from her forehead.
Her lips part when I do it, and I have the powerful urge to kiss her.
“I have an idea.” I look down at her, her freckles showing in the bright sun. “How about I get dressed and come over in a couple hours?”
“Come over?”
“I’ll bring all the supplies we need to make your pie, all right?”
“Come over to myhouse?” She steps back, though her hands linger on me for a split second longer.
“Sorry about that.” I adopt an ‘aww, shucks’ expression. “Didn’t mean to invite myself for dinner.”I sure as hell did. “Just thought we could get to know each other better since we’ve been neighbors for a while.”
Jinx trots out from a bush beside my house, a bird in his mouth.
“Dinner?” She narrows her eyes. “So we can talk about our lives. And you can tell meallabout you?”
“Sounds like a plan.” I smile, then lean down to pet Jinx as he winds around my ankles. “How you doing, Jinx?”
He shows me his bird with nothing short of total pride. I scratch behind his ears. “Good boy.”
Lena harrumphs. “He lets you pet him? This bird murderer right here? He just lets you--oh my God. He’sjust letting you pet him!” Then she puts her hands on her hips and gives me a hard look. “Wait a minute. How did you know his name?”
5
LENA
“Jinx and I go way back.” Heath smiles at me.
“Did you teach him to murder birds?” I raise an eyebrow at him. I knew the cat had a mean streak in him, I just didn't know he was out murdering in broad daylight. This has been going on right under my nose. I need to figure out how he’s getting in and out so that no more birds come to any harm. Unless that’s the bird that’s been waking me up every morning at the crack of dawn. Hmmm. That might not be such a bad thing. A girl does need her beauty sleep and all. Maybe if the birds were flying in to make my bed and help clean my house like they do for Cinderella, I would care more. But no, my house is a mess, no thanks to you, feathered friends. At least the kitchen will look its part and make Heath think I was trying to cook.
“Pretty sure Mildred schooled him in the ways of birdicide.” His tone is teasing, I think.
“Wait. You knew my grandma?” My hands drop from my hips. Of course he did. He’s always nice to all the older people on the block. It’s only me that he seems to avoid.
Heath puts his hand on my back, guiding me toward my porch. Is it possible that maybe I’ve been the one avoiding him? Well, sure, Iamspying on him, which would probably make it hard for someone to introduce themselves to you. I’m always hiding, and it’s clear after last night that my spy skills are top notch. That I’m able to get around without being noticed. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure that’s a good thing. How come people don’t notice me? I let out a sigh. I don’t even enjoy being around people, so I’m not sure why I even care. It’s only my insecurities getting the best of me. Anyway, I have more important things to focus on. Including the handsome man patiently waiting on me as I have all these nonsense thoughts.
I reach for the door and pull it open.
“No lock?” The teasing tone is now gone from his voice. His face looks more stern than it did a few seconds ago. His jaw does this tick that is oddly sexy.
“I didn't expect to be pulled into your house,” I snip, defending myself as I enter into the living room. “I thought I’d just grab the milk and go.”
He frowns. “I’ll go collect supplies and be back in a little while.” Pointing to the door, he says in a stern daddy tone, “Lock it until I get back.”
With that, he turns and hurries across to his house, his broad back soaking up the sun and making my mouth water. How much does this guy work out?
I lock the door, and I could swear he was hesitating on his walkway just to hear it click, then he continues into his place. Leaning against the door, I look around at my messy living room--the piled-up laundry, the empty pizza box, the used Korean beauty masks. “God, I need to get to work.”
Jinx jumps up on the back of the sofa and starts grooming his whiskers.
“I know, you little murderer. You don’t have to rub it in.” I want to throw a pillow at him. “I’m cleaning, okay?” I snatch the pizza box and the paper plates.
* * *
Heath knocks on the door right at dusk. I do a quick scan of the room to make sure everything looks legit. I hid all the pictures of him I’d printed out, so that’s a win.
