Page 7 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
“Are you sure?” I asked, glancing at her bandaged ankle. “That looks like a nasty sprain.”
“I can make it a little further,” she insisted, testing her weight on the injured ankle. “It doesn’t hurt as much now.”
I raised an eyebrow, but didn’t push further. “Alright, if you say so. Just be careful.”
As I packed up my first-aid kit, Tina glanced at me. “You’re pretty good at this. Are you a nurse or something?”
I chuckled. “Not quite. I was a Girl Scout growing up, and I picked up some basic first-aid skills.”
“Well, you’re a lifesaver, Girl Scout or not,” she said with a grin.
I returned her smile, feeling a small spark of connection. It was nice to chat with someone after the isolating last few days. “So, what brings you out here today? Are you a photographer in search of the perfect shot?”
Tina glanced down at the camera hanging around her neck. “Nah, photography’s just a hobby. I’m mostly out here for exercise and some fresh air.”
I nodded. “Same here. I just moved to Asheville, and thought a hike might clear my head.”
“Oh, you’re new in town?” she asked, her interest piqued. “Where from?”
“Alaska,” I replied, a tinge of homesickness creeping in as I said it.
“Wow, that’s quite a change. What brought you all the way down here?”
I hesitated, not wanting to dive into the details of my life just yet. “A fresh start,” I said simply.
Tina nodded, seeming to understand. “I hear you. Asheville’s a good place for that. What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m a journalist,” I replied, then quickly added, “But I haven’t found a job here yet. I’m working at a diner for now, just until something better comes along.”
Her eyes lit up. “Journalist, huh? That’s awesome. I actually work for one of the local news stations—ABS. I’m part of the technical crew, though, not on-air talent.”
“That’s really cool,” I said, genuinely interested.
Tina beamed. “Actually, we’re hiring journalists right now. There’s an opening at the station, if you’re interested.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Really?”
“Yeah! I can send you the job posting, and if you want, we can grab coffee to talk about it. You’d be a great fit for the team.”
“Wow, that would be amazing. Thank you so much!” I said, the heaviness of the morning lifting just a little.
“No need to thank me. Consider it payback for the first-aid,” she joked.
We exchanged numbers, and as we continued walking, the conversation flowed naturally. We talked about everything from work to our favorite books, to the beauty of Asheville’s landscapes. For the first time in a long while, I felt a genuine connection with someone new.
By the time we reached the trailhead, it felt like I’d known Tina for longer than just an hour. We took a few photos together, and I promised to follow up on the job opportunity.
As I settled into the cab for the ride home, a smile spread across my face. The hike, meeting Tina, and the prospect of a new job... maybe things were starting to look up after all. It wasn’t Alaska, and it definitely wasn’t my old life, but maybe Asheville had something to offer after all.
Chapter Four
Antonio
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I recalled my encounter with Kendra. Her attempt at an apology was laced with sarcasm, and that fire in her eyes was something I hadn’t expected.
It had been a while since someone stood up to me with such boldness. Jake was right—Kendra was attractive, though I hadn’t fully noticed until he mentioned it.
This morning, when I opened the door to her smirking face, something in me had stirred. She stood there in an oversized t-shirt that readTouchdown or Bust!—a slogan that took me right back to my college football days when I was the star quarterback. Her shirt, combined with the messy ponytail and those deep amber eyes, gave her an elfin look, both fierce and endearing.
