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He glanced down the street, looking for her vehicle.
Where the hell was she? She’d told him to meet her here at 1:00 to help her unload the moving truck. It was 1:30 and there was still no sign of her. But then, did he really expect anything different? His childhood best friend was notoriously late. Heck, it was such a well-known fact that his parents had let it slide when he’d missed curfew on more than one occasion, because they knew he was out with her.
Finally, he heard the distinct rumble of a U-Haul truck that was a few too many moves past a repair. He couldn’t see much of the driver, but from the size, he guessed it was a woman. When the truck got closer, he spotted Bailey’s smiling face behind the wheel. Only Bailey would look happy pulling up in front of a shit hole like this.
She double parked the truck in front of the building and hopped out of the cab. Her feet barely hit the cement before she launched herself in his direction. Her movement didn’t stop until she crashed into him. The forward momentum nearly knocked him on his ass, and he took several steps backward to keep them upright as Bailey’s arms wrapped around his neck. Lush female curves filled his hands. It had been a couple years since he’d seen Bailey in person, but he sure as hell didn’t remember her hugs feeling like that. Whoa. Whatever curves she had were irrelevant. This was Bailey.
“Hey, Bay,” he chuckled as he pulled her in tight for a hug. The familiar smell of citrus and something that was distinctly his childhood friend filled his senses. It was good to have her here. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized just how much he’d missed her.
When Bailey had said she was moving to Sam Diego for a job, he hadn’t known what to expect. He wasn’t a fan of her boyfriend at all, but when she’d called last week to ask for his help with the move, she said they’d broken up and she was coming alone. Now that he didn’t have to worry about her dick boyfriend, he was really looking forward to spending time with his childhood best friend.
Bailey glanced at the building and wrinkled her nose. “Hmm.”
“You can’t be serious about living here,” he said.
She chewed her bottom lip, and a wave of nostalgia filled him. How many times had he seen her make that exact same face growing up?
“It looks a little different from the online picture.” Her brows knitted together. “This is Sunnyvale Apartments, right?”
Gonzo eyed the graffitied sign with the word ‘Sun’ peeking through the paint. “That’s what it says.”
Bailey pulled her phone out of her pocket and swiped it open. Her lips pursed tightly, and she looked back at the building, then down at her phone and back at the building again. The lines of confusion on her face grew.
“You okay?” he asked.
She thrust her phone toward him. “Is this even the same building? I mean, even brand new, this place wouldn’t have looked anything like that?”
He eyed the picture on the screen. “What the fuck? Is this seriously the ad?” The building in the ad looked modern, with clean lines and beautiful landscaping. The one in front of them looked like 1970 threw up. He could already picture the snot green shag he was gonna see inside the apartments. “There’s no fucking way you’re living here,” he told her.
“Maybe it’s better inside than out.” Bailey chewed her bottom lip as she eyed the building. Even for an optimist like her, a comment like that was a stretch.
“It couldn’t possibly be worse.”
Bailey looked up at the building and sighed. “Let’s go find the manager and look.”
“The only thing we’re finding the manager for is to tell him you aren’t moving in here.”
Bailey bristled. “Don’t even start with that macho bullshit, Gonzo. I didn’t let you boss me around as a kid, and I’m sure not letting you do it now.” She squared her shoulders, and he bit back a groan. Dammit. He should have known better. If there was one thing destined to make Bailey dig her feet in, it was telling her she couldn’t do something. The woman took independence to new heights.
“Alright, let’s go look.” He swept out his arm to gesture she go first. He needed to have her back to make sure he could protect her if anything happened. As they stepped across the broken path toward the building, he scanned their surroundings, ready for anything.
“Hopefully we don’t get shanked,” Bailey mumbled.
“No shit.” The hairs on his neck stood up and he looked behind him. A group of young men leaned against a car, watching them. He rolled his shoulders to loosen his neck in case he needed to get into it with these guys.
Bailey stopped and scanned the area. She turned toward the men and called, “Do you know where I can find the super?”
What the hell was she doing drawing more attention to herself?
One of the guys pushed off the car and sauntered toward them. His New York ball cap titled sideways on his head. The guy couldn’t even cheer for a good team. New York. Come on. As the guy scanned Bailey appreciatively, Gonzo stepped in front of her to block the other man’s view.
“You moving in?” the guy asked Bailey.
Bailey said, “Trying to.”
Just as Gonzo said, “No.”
“Super’s in 101. If you need anything once you’re moved in gorgeous, you come find me.”
