Page 23 of Crave Thy Neighbor

“Nah. Don’t want the hassle.”

He fights a grin, appreciating my callback. “There’s no pressure to say yes, but the offer stands until I can find someone else.”

I give him a simple nod.

For one of the first times in my life, I’m speechless…because I’m thinking of saying yes.

4

Nolan

Scotch has never betrayed me in my life, but I think it’s what’s to blame for my actions a few nights ago. It had to have lowered my sense of awareness of the words that came out of my mouth.

I told a woman she could move in with me.

A woman I don’t really know.

A woman who has a kid.

I admit, some of it was because I felt guilty about being part of the reason she’s about to be without a place to live.

Also, I felt bad for her.

I might be closed off in many ways, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart somewhere in my icy chest. Since I was raised by one, the block of frigidness is a lot less thick when it comes to single parents.

I couldn’t sit there knowing I have two perfectly good rooms that aren’t being used while River’s best friend is suffering.

Well,oneof them is being used to house my book collection.

But I can clean it up and the kid can use it in the meantime.

Kid.

Fuck. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d have a kid living with me.

They aren’t really my forte.

They’re too loud. Too messy. Full of too much attitude half the time. How Dean deals with the little shits all day long is beyond me.

Shit. Maybe Maya should take the library instead of her son…

But I guess I shouldn’t worry about it until Maya accepts my offer.

When we parted ways Friday night, we exchanged numbers just in case. It’s now Monday, and I haven’t heard anything from her.

I’m betting she’s too stubborn to take me up on it. She put off that vibe loud and clear at the bar.

It’d be a weird situation since we hardly know one another, but what other choice does she have at this point? I can imagine asking that many people to move out of an apartment building in a town already hurting for housing created quite the pickle for many. Being a single mom on a budget lessens her options even more.

Like it has happened several times over the last few days any time I’ve thought of her, images of her sultry smirk and those incredible gray eyes assault me.

That long hair made for pulling.

Those jeans that were painted onto her curves.

Those—

“Yo, Brooks, we’re grabbing lunch. You in?”

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