Page 12 of Make You Mine

I kicked my feet up on the porch railing and watched the neighborhood while sipping the last of my now-cold coffee. I didn’t remember a single one of my neighbors, yet I could greet all the dogs by name. The house closest to mine had finally sold, and the moving truck that had been there for the past few days was gone. Hopefully, the new neighbors had a cute dog. Otherwise, I would forget they existed as soon as we met.

I closed my eyes and let the rare sunny day ambiance wash over me. If I allowed myself, I could go to sleep right here. Maybe I should.

Footsteps pounded on the sidewalk coming from the side of my house, startling me out of my daydreaming, and I sat up to look.

Loganberry Lane curved around my house and joined Sycamore Street, the main drag of Honeybrook Hollow. Most of the town’s businesses lined it on either side, including my bakery. I could walk to work through my backyard if I wanted to.

“Hey, Piper.” Ren’s low, gravelly voice carried down the street as he jogged towards me.

His athletic frame created a striking silhouette as he approached. His dark hair was tousled from the run, and sunlight glinted off the beads of sweat on his forehead, accentuating his strong brow and beautiful blue eyes. A playful grin adorned his face, radiating charm and warmth, and that sexy aura of kindness I knew was just waiting to come out. He raised a hand to wave at me. Why did he have to be so damn hot?

“Fancy seeing you here,” I called out, trying to mask the excitement I shouldn’t be feeling.

“I couldn’t resist a run. I can’t believe the sun is out.” He slowed down as he approached, tipping his head back to let it shine on his face just as Paige had done before.

“It’s shaping up to be a gorgeous day. But seriously, what are you doing here? Do you have a meeting with Paige or something?”

“No.” He gestured to the house next door. “That’s my place.” He squinted, taking me in as he headed up my walkway. “Aren’t you a vision of relaxation.”

Crap.I slapped my hands against my cheeks and cringed. The face mask! Dressing tounimpresshad backfired on me.

Or maybe it was a good thing.

Now wasn’t the time to feel attracted to Ren or any other guy. I was better off being alone, taking time for myself exactly like I’d just told Paige.

And what the hecking heck? Ren was my new neighbor? Was he giving up his big city life of work and whatever else he did there? To live here? Next to me? In tiny little Honeybrook Hollow? Why? Gah!

Men were not hobbies, and sex was not love. I wanted the real thing or nothing at all. This was my new motto, and I would not throw it away just because Ren and his hotness were taking up way too much space in my brain.

“Comfort above all else, right?” I joked, feeling a bit self-conscious but still mostly happy to see him, damn it. “So that Jeep that replaced the moving van in the driveway is yours?”

“Yep.”

“Well, howdy neighbor.” I grinned at him. “Welcome to Loganberry Lane. Come sit down. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Okay, sure. Thank you. I was going to text when I got home, but here you are. We should talk about our date, make some plans, stuff like that.”

He hopped onto the porch and sat across from me on the cute wicker couch I’d bought shortly after moving in. “But no thanks to the coffee.” He took a sip from the water bottle he was holding. “I’m good. So this is your house, huh?”

“Yep, I moved in a couple of months ago. I’ve always loved it, so I bought it when it went up for sale.” I picked up my yarn to distract myself from his gorgeous face and body—god, he was too sexy for his own good.

“Are the neighbors nice?” he asked. “I haven’t met anyone yet.”

“I haven’t gotten to know any of them. I love all their dogs, though.”

He chuckled, as if he thought I was cute. Then he smiled and gestured to the house next door to mine. “I live in such a boring beige box compared to your place. This is something else.”

“I love it here. I needed this. Peace, solitude?—”

“Creaky wooden floors, ghosts…” he teased.

“Well, my cats stare off into the distance in this place way more than at my old apartment. But nothing has gone bump in the night. Not yet, anyway.”

“You’re a brave woman, Piper.”

“I try to be.” I peeked at him over my knitting. “Having the cats helps. They’re good company, even though one of them has developed the new hobby of staring at my bedroom ceiling and whining at me.”

He chuckled softly. “I’ve heard that cats can be pretty perceptive. How about your dog? Is he here? Is everything okay with that situation?”

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