AllFreeNovel
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The distant sound of a door catches my attention, and I rush to the window to find Marlow walking outside with Waffles in tow.
I jog down the stairs, not wanting to miss the chance to speak my mind without Lola around.
When I get outside, Marlow is standing in front of her mailbox, sifting through a handful of envelopes, while Waffles rolls around in the nearby snow. He tilts his head toward me as I approach and looks disappointed when he doesn’t see Lola with me.
I march toward Marlow, preparing to unleash my frustrations. Not only was she playing her music too loud, but she was distracting me as she swayed to the beat in those goddamn yoga pants. My thinking is irrational considering she has no control over my wayward thoughts, but it doesn’t prevent my annoyance that being near her causes my pulse to race.
I stop short when I glance up and am met with her unique blue and green gaze. She gives me a tentative smile and any inclination to reprimand her evaporates.
Damn, that smile of hers gets me every time.
How am I supposed to lecture her when she’s being so damn nice without saying anything at all?
“Hi there, neighbor.” Her tone is hesitant.
I clear my throat. “Hey, Marlow.”
A look of astonishment crosses her face, seemingly confused by my uncharacteristic greeting.
“Someone’s in a chipper mood today.” She closes the mailbox. “Tell me, Dylan, do you make it a habit of dressing up when you check your mail?” She gestures to my three-piece charcoal-gray suit.
“This is what I wear to work,” I say, feeling the need to defend my choice of clothing.
“Yeah, but you’re home.” The sunlight bounces off her golden hair. “Isn’t the whole purpose of working remotely so you can wear comfy clothes, at least from the waist down?” A blush rises to her cheeks, and she laughs awkwardly when I don’t respond. “Actually, never mind. I think that trend is more common with Gen Zers, not Millennials.”
I’m not sure what she’s talking about, but it occurs to me that until now, we’ve never had a normal conversation with just the two of us.
Waffles lets out a discontented bark, displeased that he’s being left out. An idea pops into my head on how to best approach this awkward confrontation. I squat down so I’m on his level, and he runs over, practically jumping into my lap.
“Listen, Waffles, we need to have a little chat.” I focus my attention on the slobbering canine, not daring to look at Marlow. “I don’t want to cramp your style, but I use my loft as an office, and when I’m working from home, it’s hard to concentrate when you play your music so loud. Is there any chance you could turn it down when I’m working from home?”
Bored with this conversation, Waffles plops down on the ground.
I click my tongue in disapproval. “I’m disappointed in you, Waffles. I thought you’d take this more seriously.”
Marlow bursts out laughing, and when I glance up at her, she’s quick to cover her mouth to stifle her reaction. And I find myself wishing she wouldn’t.
That’s a beautiful sound.
“Is something funny?” I maintain a serious tone.
She shakes her head, unable to speak in between another laughing fit.
“Honestly, Marlow? You shouldn’t be encouraging his poor behavior.”
She takes a moment to compose herself before crouching next to Waffles, cupping her hand against her ear, like he’s sharing a secret. She glances in my direction a couple of times for effect, a grin threatening to pass her lips.
Unable to maintain my stern demeanor any longer, I crack a smile and play along. “Are you going to tell me what he said? The suspense is killing me.”
When I glance at Marlow, her mouth is slightly agape.
Confused by her reaction, I furrow my brow, and a blush stealing over the apple of her cheeks when she notices me watching. She clears her throat as she rises to her feet. I follow suit, bringing us face-to-face.
“Waffles says he’s sorry about his music being too loud. He zones out while he’s working,” she says as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. “From now on, he promises to wear headphones when you’re home during the day.”
My throat is suddenly dry. “Tell him I appreciate it. My schedule is all out of sorts since Kendra quit yesterday, and I’m working from home until I can find a new nanny.” Marlow bites down on her plump lower lip like she’s refraining from saying something she shouldn’t, and I force myself not to stare at her mouth. “I hope using headphones doesn’t mess with whatever project Waffles has going on up there.” I nod to her loft.
“Painting.”
