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No. There’s no way.
Lots of guys have artfully messy hair that exact shade. With the same broken-in leather jacket. And the same impossibly broad shoulders. It’s a coincidence. Has to be.
“A-Austin,” I croak out, my voice all high and squeaky.
It can’t be him. Mia said it was Tyler’s friend from the gym. Mia goes to that gym, too. That’s another connection I can’t afford if it turns out he’s…
He stands, all six feet plus of him, steel-toed work boots heavy on the carpet as he pivots in my direction, that flinty gray gaze finally lifting to meet mine. Surprise flitters over his face for the briefest of seconds before he shuts it down, stoic again as he crosses the room toward me.
It’s him. Definitely him. My neighbor. The one I unwittingly insulted this morning.
Crap. Crap. Triple crap.
CHAPTERTWO
AUSTIN
Isit wrong that I find the tiniest bit of satisfaction in her discomfort? She insulted me this morning, after all.
Intimidating. Dangerous.Some might take the words as a compliment, but it was clear she didn’t intend them that way.
Then again, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before.
Her mouth gapes open awkwardly, pink spreading across her cheeks like wildfire until she turns, her dark hair falling over her shoulder to shield her features as she strides down the hall.
Am I supposed to follow her? She called my name, so it must be her I’m meeting with.
And I sure as hell won’t be the one to speak first.
She stops in front of a door, her hand pausing on the knob before opening it, and waits until we’re both in the room before she speaks.
“Look, I’m…” She releases a breath, peeking over at me through the curtain of her hair. “That was awful of me to say earlier. I’m sorry.”
I shrug, appreciating her apology even if it’s unnecessary. “You can think whatever. Doesn’t affect me any.”
Since she moved in a month ago, she’s scurried away any time I’ve remotely come near, either racing into her apartment or the Kia in the parking lot with the rear fender that’s about to fall off. I got the message pretty quickly.
“No, that’s not fair to you. I don’t even know you.” She picks at her thumbnail, studying it. “I’ve been letting some… past experiences color my thinking.”
I stay silent, sensing she has more to say.
“Sometimes big guys scare me,” she mumbles, barely audible.
Well, shit. How am I supposed to respond to that?
Tugging at the ends of my beard, I’m reminded I need to trim it soon. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Taking a step back, I glance behind me at the door. “I can go if—”
“No.” She reaches forward, her delicate fingers unable to completely encircle my wrist.
She snatches her hand back just as quickly, holding it to her chest as if I’ve hurt her.
“This is my issue, not yours. I’m only explaining why I haven’t really been friendly as a neighbor. It has nothing to do with you personally.”
I’m not sure how else to take it, but whatever she says. “Listen, I signed up for this study as a favor to Tyler, but if it’s not going to work out—”
“No, it will,” she interrupts. “You don’t have to leave.” She merely holds out a hand this time, not willing to risk touching me again.
Message received.
