Page 30 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“You’re a client who intentionally moved in next door to me. I truly don’t know what to make of that. Logic tells me I should probably call the police or at the very least, install a security system, but for some reason, I don’t. Do you understand why that’s confusing for me?”
I tilt my head to the sky and think about my words before I open my mouth. Fucking Rafe and all his systems.
After three deep breaths, I face Lottie again. “I thought we had moved on from that. I’m not a stalker. I’m a brother, a businessman, and an entrepreneur. I’ve never kicked a cat or been arrested, but I do go after what I want or need, and my sister and I need you, Lottie. I’m not accustomed to needing anyone for anything, so this is all new to me as well.”
Some of the tension leaves her muscles, and the small indent between her brows disappears. I like her much better like this.
“You’re also a puppy dad.”
I scoff. Then scoff again. “Temporarily, but please don’t remind me. I had to take three meetings yesterday with that little fucker strapped to my chest.”
She laughs and steps up to another booth. This one has oils and lip balms—the stench is overpowering, and I sincerely hope she doesn’t put any of that shit on her perfect body.
“What is it you want from me, Thane?”
Your mind. Your body. You.
It’s official. I’m obsessed with my neighbor.
“Why don’t we start with…friends.” The word forms foreign on my tongue, and I barely get it past my lips.
“Do you have a lot of friends?” She lifts a brow in my direction, and it’s so sexy my lips tug at the corners, and I make no effort to stop them.
“No,” I answer truthfully. “I have employees, my sister, Ophelia, and Rafe.”
“You must have left a girlfriend or two behind.”
Is she asking if I’m single?
“I’m not in the habit of dating much.”
“No?”
The flashcard for shock comes to mind.
“No, it’s never been something I was much interested in…until I got here.” It’s the truth, and except for the fact that I also want her research, I’m inclined to be so honest with her that it makes my skin itch for an entirely new reason.
“Until you got here? Who caught your eye? Mrs. Perez is quite the looker.”
“Mrs. Perez is like eighty years old. I was talking about you. You’re easy to talk to so I know I wouldn’t have to make an excuse to get out of a mind-numbing conversation. If I say something you deem rude or offensive, you tell me instead of storming off. If I cross some arbitrary line, I think you’d even explain it to me.”
“You really are a charmer, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m not.”
She smiles sweetly, and I take a snapshot of it in my mind. “Unfortunately, I don’t date clients.”
“Then you’re fired.”
She keeps walking as though she doesn’t believe me, and I follow beside her, working through a solution in my mind.
I live next door, so I’ll see her all the time. Rowan’s been okay, but I’m not making much progress with her anyway. Thoughts move at warp speed as a plan unfurls.
“Do you date business partners?”
I’m not sure what she finds funny, but I’m not annoyed by the sound she’s making.
“I’ve never had a business partner, Thane, so I have no idea.”
