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I let out a heavy sigh as I unlock the front door with my new key and walk into the Brighton family home. I’m really not interested in my ex’s kind of crazy today. Especially with this headache that’s been gradually building up all afternoon.
Headache and nutty ex aside, I really did have a good day at the clinic. The patients were nice. So were all the staff. Being friends with the boss definitely has its benefits. Plus, it’s clear that the Brightons have established a strong reputation and a family name that carries weight in this strange little town. It’s only my second day here, but I think I might actually like this place.
Yet still, this new environment still feels a tiny bit outside my comfort zone. All this change, all at once is stressing me the hell out. That’s probably what’s causing the headaches.
I can’t lie, I miss Honey Hill. My loud and overbearing family. My jam-packed schedule and routines. The familiar faces I’d see around town. This life makeover is going to take some getting used to.
I stroll into the kitchen and—fuck—there’s yet another reason for my headaches.
My new roommate is standing there in a nude-colored tank top and barely-there shorts, looking so damn pretty. Effortlessly pretty in a way that is borderline annoying. Mostly because I’m not allowed to touch her.
Karli. Gorgeous,untouchableKarli.
Karli who sure as hell isn’t wearing a bra under that tank top. Goddamn.
I clear my throat. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she replies dryly. Then she hurriedly pivots on her heel and spins away from me.
Well, fine. Be like that.
Apparently we’re unable to hold a civil conversation with one another. So I turn away too.
She stayed locked up in her bedroom all evening yesterday. Even as I made an ungodly amount of noise unloading my car and dragging all my belongings up to my new room, she didn’t even poke her head out to say ‘hi’. And this morning, she made sure not to come downstairs for breakfast while I was grabbing a quick coffee for the road. If she’s going to be standoffish and unfriendly—fine—I can be standoffish and unfriendly. No problem.
To my dismay, I can’t find a clear surface to set down my groceries. She’s got books and food and cutting boards everywhere. So I drop my bags to the floor and start putting my groceries away. I wedge cartons and containers and plastic pouches into the fridge. I stock the freezer shelves full of quick and easy pre-cooked meals and microwavable dinners.Then I move on to packing my canned goods into the pantry.
The whole time, Karli acts like I’m not even here, giving me her back as she continues adding ingredients to whatever’s cooking inside her pots and pans.
Only problem is, this kitchen isn’t all that big. We keep having to dance around each other to get around in here.
We bump into each other when I go to wash my hands at the sink. And then I almost step on her bare feet when she shuffles around me to get to the trash can.
“Excuse me.”
“Sorry.”
“Oops.”
“Oh, my bad.”
There’s so much tension between us, I feel like I’m about to shatter. It’s awkward as shit.
But as I’m putting the last of my stuff in the freezer, my eyes catch on one of the academic journals that’s open on the counter. It’s a journal that I also have a subscription to.
My brows pinch together. There are so many questions on my tongue. I’m curious about Karli. Even though I know better, I want to know all about her.
I promised myself I’d stay away.If I’m planning to follow the two simple rules I set for myself when I moved in here yesterday, I can’t be trying to ‘figure her out’.
Yet still, I hear myself asking. “What’s the deal with all the medical journals? Not exactly light reading.”Goddammit, Mason. Keep your mouth shut.
She tenses, her head snapping in my direction. The tough mask slips off her face. A look of utter grief replaces it. “I…” She scratches her temple. “I wanted to be a doctor. But I didn’t get into med school.”
Oh…
“Shit. Sorry to hear that,” I say, my voice low.
Her eyes drop from mine. She focuses on wiping the counter with a dirty rag. Wiping the same spot over and over. And then some more. “Some of us just don’t have what it takes,” she says with a shrug.Despite her nonchalant words, she looks absolutely devastated.
