AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s a deal,” I say. Clarissa hesitates, seems to really inspect my hand for a moment, then finally takes it and shakes.
“Deal!”
11
CLARISSA
Igive in and shake Emile’s hand. It’s embarrassing being in this situation. I should be so lucky to have a carpenter as a neighbor, and a generous one to boot! I’ve seen with my own eyes what he can do. That boat, even half-finished, is really impressive. But the agony of even needing the help in the first place is devastating.
I am a baker. Baking is what I do. Those skills very muchdo nottransfer over to fixing a hole in a roof. I can accept this limitation theoretically because, until now, it was never an issue.
But I hate depending on my brand-new neighbor, especially because I have a feeling Todd won’t like it. He yelled at me just for speaking to Emile in the restaurant. I can’t imagine what he’s going to say when he hears I let him into my house for several days.
In any case, though, I think he’s harmless. I’m lucky to have Emile so close, who not only offers to help but does so insistently. I think he recognizes what a helpless case he lives next door to and has taken pity on me.
“So, where do we get started?” I ask, ready to prove myself. I’m not going to let him do everything.
Emile looks me over with such brutal intensity it almost makes me gulp. I wonder what he’s thinking about behind those sharp eyes.
“First, you need a shower. And dry clothes, if you still have them.”
My eyes fly wide open as I suddenly remember my current state. My sweatpants and shirt are soaking wet, sticking to my skin and leaving nothing to the imagination. If I wasn’t already thoroughly embarrassed and mortified, I sure would be now!
“Of course, if that piping is what I think it is, you won’t be getting a shower in here. Why don’t you grab your stuff and come over to my place? A hot shower and intact roof might help you clear your head a little, too.”
I feel my face flush completely. “Wow, I mean, no. You’ve already offered so much, I can’t impose on you even more!”
If Emile is exhausted with me, he’s very good at showing it. He simply shakes his head.
“I already told you. Southern hospitality. And imposing? On what, my shower? Please. You looking like a sad wet dog does more psychic damage to me than just using my bathroom for half an hour. Come on, before the mosquitos wake up and make this place unbearable.”
I give in, if only because I’m too exhausted to argue with someone who seems to have his shit together much more than I could hope for. I grab a caddy from under the sink and fill it with my hair products, body wash, loofah, razor, and my own towels. I also rummage out a dry change of clothes and meet Emile at the door.
“Is that it?” he asks. “You might want a pillow or two as well.”
I blink. Why would I need pillows in the shower? Then it hits me. He wasn’t just offering a shower, he was offering tolet me stay. I gasp at the realization. That’s way too much, even for Southern hospitality. And even if it weren’t, I don’t think Todd would be too pleased with me playing sleepover with a near stranger right now.
“Oh, I thought you just… I mean I’m grateful for the shower. I definitely need it, but I really can’t stay. Not because you’re a vampire, that’s not! I uh, I snore. Loud. So, I’ll just sleep in my own bed. It’s fine.”
Tell your hot neighbor you snore. That’s a great plan. Really want to make sure he finds you irresistible, huh?
Emile studies me again, that face unmoving as he seems to be calculating a proper response.
“Okay,” he finally says.
“Okay?”
“Yes, okay, let’s go.”
Emile guides me to his home and shows me inside. It’s gorgeous. The layout isn’t that different from my home, but the decorating is top-notch in comparison. I guess if you’ve lived in one place like this most of your life, you’re bound to amass a style much nicer than ‘fake hideout house.’
“Here’s the bathroom. The hot water takes a minute to really get up there, but once it does, it’s really hot. So don’t pull the lever too much unless you like having your skin scalding. And please help yourself to anything in here, I don’t mind.” Emile smiles at me and closes the door.
I sigh, feeling completely hopeless. What would I have done if Emile wasn’t my neighbor? Probably call Todd. But knowing him, he’d probably tell me some long story about a master handyman and then make me move houses again. That’s the last thing I want to do.
Not just because another move would be a pain in the ass. I like it here. I haven’t been in Aura Creek that long at all, but it’s got such a nice charm to it. And nice neighbors. Really nice, and nice looking, neighbors.
I shake my head and take Emile’s advice to clear my mind with a shower. He’s right, the hot water gets really hot, but it feels so good on my sore muscles. I lather up my loofah with rose-scented body wash and get to work scrubbing rain and debris out of my skin. I idly take in Emile’s products lined up neatly on a small shelf. He uses a moisturizing body wash, and shampoo with tea tree oil and mint. I bet that smells amazing.
