Page 6 of Finding You
Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t even think about it.“Do you want some? I have plenty to share.”
She seemed embarrassed. “No. I couldn’t impose. Sorry I even said that. I don’t have a car, and there is no grocery delivery in Havenport, so it’s been a while since I had a home-cooked meal, that’s all. So sorry to be so forward.”
She was giving me an out, and I should take it. “Not at all. I’d be happy to share. I’ve been cooking these for a few hours, so it would be nice if someone else appreciated my work.”Dumbass.
“If you’re sure…”
It was as if my mouth was operating independently of my brain. “Yes. Of course! We’re neighbors. These need to come off in about thirty minutes and then need to rest. Want to come back in an hour?”
She nodded and smiled. Her smile was big, slightly crooked, and really beautiful. I got the sense she wasn’t a natural smiler, so it made me feel pretty good. I still didn’t know what I was doing, inviting this random stranger into my home. I didn’t invite people into my home ever. My family just showed up some times and barged in, but I wasn’t exactly the dinner party type. But I couldn’t say no to her, and she seemed lonely and it was always nice to have someone to cook for.
“I would offer to bring something over, but all I have is booze. A lot of booze actually. I’ll bring you something nice. What are you drinking?”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m fine. I have plenty here.”
“No, I insist.” She reached over and grabbed the glass out of my hand. As if living in slow motion, she brought the glass to her lush pink lips and took a long sip. “Ooh. Irish whiskey. I like.” She took another sip and handed the glass back to me. She tapped her nose. “I have something you will love.” And she turned on her heel and walked back to her cottage.
I stood there, dumbfounded, watching her hips sway as she walked up the driveway into the house. Ginger stood beside me, watching her go inside. She cocked her head and gave me a hopeful look.
“I have no idea what just happened, girl. But I think we are going to have a dinner guest.”
4
ASTRID
So I just forced myway into dinner with my hot neighbor. How did that happen?
My natural inclination to be blunt sometimes led me into weird social situations. It did not, however, result in lots of dinner invites. So this was a first.
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been watching him for the past week. I had noticed him jogging and almost tripped over my own feet. Up close he was even hotter. The long hair, the full beard, the height. Being five feet ten, I was used to looking most men directly in the eye, but he was so tall and broad that I felt tiny. I was intrigued by his scruffy, Jason Momoa vibe.
When I saw him playing fetch with his dog in the yard this morning, I was even more intrigued. For a big, strong, serious looking guy, he was so adorable rolling on the ground and playing. It also helped that I had a perfect line of sight to enjoy his very round, very firm ass in a pair of gray sweatpants.
I had always wanted a dog growing up. My mother despised pets and forbid me from even considering it. My half siblings had an old golden retriever, and my dad sometimes showed me photos of him. I always swore the minute I was an adult with my own house I would get myself a dog. Unfortunately I was never home enough to take care of one. The minute I got out of law school and started practicing, it became clear that I would be a terrible dog mom. I was never home, and when I was I was either working or asleep. I couldn’t keep groceries in the house, never mind a living thing. So sadly, my dog dreams never materialized. But watching him cavort around with his dog was reigniting them.
I was doing nothing right now. Maybe I could get a dog? That would be fun. I could train it and take it on walks. I wondered if there were any shelters in Havenport.
But then reality set in. Even though I was bored at the moment, eventually I would be going back. Back to the city, the office, the pressure, the all-nighters, and the endless travel. This was just temporary while I worked out how to get back what I deserved. Because I couldn’t lose sight of my goal. After a little pit stop in Havenport, I was going to get my career back.
Suddenly, I was filled with panic. What had I done? Did I just invite myself over to a random man’s house? What if he was a serial killer who wanted to wear my skin as a suit?
Shit. Shit.Huh. One of the benefits of a small town is that everyone knows everyone else. I grabbed my phone and called Emily.
“Hey, lady, what’s up?” I heard screaming in the background. Emily was the mother of three kids under six, and every time I spoke to her there was some degree of chaos in the background.
“Sorry if it’s dinnertime. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“No, no. I’m thrilled to speak to an adult today. Derek is traveling.” Emily married Derek, her college sweetheart, and moved back to Havenport. Derek was an architect and a proud Texan. He had embraced her hometown wholeheartedly, but still insisted on wearing his cowboy hat and boots everywhere. He occasionally traveled for work, and I know it was hard on Emily.
“Hey, why don’t I come over tomorrow and hang with the kids for a bit?”
“Seriously?”
“They are adorable. Maybe you could run some errands or something.”
I could hear Emily exhale on the other end of the phone. “You don’t know what you’re agreeing to but yes, please yes. I am going to take a shower and then go get a fancy coffee at High Tide. Thank you, Astrid.” The enthusiasm in her voice made it worth it. I loved kids, and Emily’s, while insane, were super cute. I could handle them for a few hours.
“So did you just call to rescue your crazy cousin, or is there something on your mind?” Emily knew me too well. I was never the kind of person who called just to chat.
