by Alex Strong
“Crap,” she muttered, remembering that garbage needed to go out.
She walked out to the garage, stood by the bins, and chewed her nail, trying to decide whether or not to take it out. Realizing that in the morning she was going to feel like an idiot for being so paranoid, she hit the button and tried not to feel so exposed as the garage door rolled up its track. But as she dragged out the recycling bin, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She glanced down the street, wondering if Reid was home. Would he think she was being irrational? But as another shiver swept through her body, she started walking towards his house, glancing over her shoulder repeatedly.
Reid’s front door loomed large before her as Jillian stepped up onto the porch. She knocked quietly and studied the swinging bench to her right while waiting. No movement could be heard inside. Perhaps no one was home. Or maybe she didn’t knock hard enough. She raised her hand, debating whether to try again or just give it up, when the door opened. There was Reid, wearing only a pair of jeans and nothing else. For a second, Jillian forgot why she was standing there.
“Yes?” he asked when Jillian had still not found her tongue.
“Um, hi,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if you were home.” She realized her hand was still raised in mid-knock and lowered it. “I wasn’t sure if you were home,” she repeated like an idiot. What was it about this man that made her brain turn to mush? Perhaps it was the incredible abs she was trying so hard to keep her eyes off of. “I just—” She started and then paused. “Damn, now I feel crazy saying this out loud.”
Reid did nothing to help her out as she fumbled for the words. Didn’t he realize how intimidating he was, standing there and studying her intently with his cool blue eyes? It was so unnerving.
“It’s just that I can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching me or something,” she finally spilled out. “Twice I thought I saw something in my backyard. Maybe it’s because I’ve never spent the night alone in this house before, but I was wondering if…” she started rubbing her forehead. “Well, I guess I don’t know what I was going to ask you for. I’m sure I’m just being paranoid. So sorry for bothering you.” She turned to leave.
“I could come take a look around,” he said.
Jillian spun back around. “Really? I mean, if you don’t mind, I think it would help me feel better. Even if it’s just you telling me it’s all in my head.”
“Sure. Come in for a second and I’ll grab my shirt and shoes.”
She stepped in. Reid closed the door behind her and walked noiselessly down the hall. Now that she was standing in the relative safety of Reid’s foyer, Jillian started to wonder if she had been imagining everything.
CHAPTER TWO
Reid ran upstairs to his room and Max lifted his head from where he had been sleeping on the floor.
“Some guard dog, you are,” he said, grabbing the shirt he had just thrown on the foot of the bed. Another five minutes and he would have been tucked in for the night. He wondered if Jillian had actually been spooked, or if it was just an excuse to come talk to him. She did look worried.
Jillian was standing at the door where Reid had left her when he came back down the stairs. He grabbed his shoes from the closet and they headed out. He made sure to lock the door behind him.
“Where’s your dad tonight?” he asked as they walked to her house.
“He had to go to Portland for work. He’s only gone the one night.”
“I see.”
“I’m not normally this big a chicken,” she said.
“I never said you were a chicken.”
“I know. I just feel like one at the moment.”
“Was the garage open when you left?” Reid asked.
“Shit,” said Jillian. “I was bringing the garbage out and forgot to put it down before I came over.”
“I’m sure it’s fine. Let’s go inside and take a look.”
They walked into the house where nothing appeared to be disturbed and Jillian stood in the middle of the kitchen while Reid checked other doors and windows.
“I checked all those already,” she said.
“Was the sliding door locked when you left?” he asked when it slid right open.
She frowned. “I could have sworn I did. I opened it to look outside and was sure I locked it. But maybe I forgot.”
“Hmm…” Reid sensed she didn’t believe she had forgotten. The door had a key lock that someone could have easily picked if they had the skill.
“Why don’t you hang out here while I check the rooms upstairs?” he suggested.
She nodded and started chewing her thumbnail while Reid made his way up the stairs.
The first room he entered was the master bedroom right off the top landing. It had two windows plus one in the bathroom, and all were closed and latched with no signs of forced entry. He found the same in the spare bedroom, and the hall bath only had skylights. Just to be thorough, Reid checked behind the shower curtain and found nothing but a few toiletries.
The last bedroom was Jillian’s. More moving boxes were piled in a corner, some with contents spilling out, and Reid wondered if she was taking her time unpacking, or trying to not get too comfortable. He walked past a dresser with a few framed pictures. They were mostly pictures of Jillian and a woman who could only be her mother. Both had the same thick brown hair, olive skin, and chocolate colored eyes. He also noticed that Jillian couldn’t have been more than fourteen or fifteen in the most recent of them.
After finding her window secure just like all the others, he rejoined Jillian downstairs in the kitchen.
“Everything seems to be in order upstairs,” he said and saw her whole body relax.
“Thank you,” she sighed and walked over to the counter where there was a half-empty bottle of red wine. “I could use a drink,” she said, uncorking the bottle and reaching for a nearby glass. “Would you like some?”
“No thanks,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m not much of a wine drinker.”
“How about a beer?” she asked and moved over to the fridge. “I’m sure there’s an IPA in here somewhere.”
“That sounds good.” Reid was sure there was no harm in accepting a beer from a neighbor.
Jillian pulled one out, found the bottle opener, and handed it to him before returning to where she’d left her glass of wine. Reid opted to simply lean against the counter next to the sink. He thought it best to keep at least a little distance between him and this…alluring neighbor. Aaron would be so proud of him.
“I can’t decide if I’m relieved, or if I just feel like an idiot,” she said.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a little paranoid now and then.” If Jillian knew half the crap Reid did, she would probably never sleep well again.
“So is there, um, a Mrs. Jackson upset that her husband had to go rescue a neighbor?” she asked without making eye contact with him.
Real subtle, thought Reid.
“No. I travel a lot for work which makes it harder to maintain relationships.”
She nodded. “That makes sense.”
But Reid couldn’t resist.
“And what about you?” he asked. “Any guy out there jealous that you called on me instead of him?”
“Oh, I’m sure there are a few out there,” she said with a sly smile. “But no one in particular.”
Jillian polished off her wine, and Reid took another swig from his beer as he watched her walk towards him, her movement almost sensuous. Was it intentional?
She stopped at sink next to where Reid was standing, rinsed out her glass, and turned to face him.
“I’m glad you were home tonight,” she said quietly.
He faced her as he put his now empty bottle in the sink. His arm brushed against her soft bare skin. He let his hand rest on the counter, his fingertips just barely touching hers.
“Glad I could help,” he said with a slight smile, wondering if it would be so wrong to kiss her right now.
“Hello,” she answered. “Yes, Papa, I remembered to take the garbage out.” A pause and then she looked at Reid and smiled. “Yes, all the doors and windows are locked up tight. Okay, Papa, I love you too. Good night.”
“I should probably get going,” Reid said as she hung up the phone. Best to get out before he did anything he might regret later. “Thanks for the beer.”
“Oh, okay,” she said, following him to the front door. “Thanks for easing my fears.”
“Don’t forget to lock the door behind me.”
She smirked. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
Reid was just about to step off the porch when he turned around before Jillian could close the door.
“Do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?” he asked, surprising himself. So much for making a clean escape. He could already hear Aaron telling him this wouldn’t end well.
Jillian’s eyes went big, clearly just as shocked by his request. Then she smiled.
“I would like that.”
“Great,” Reid said as a smile started to spread across his own face. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“I will see you at six then,” she said.
He turned around and walked home, wondering if he even remembered what it was like to go out on a date.
Reid knocked on Jillian’s door promptly at six and she was ready to go. She had been ready for the past hour, nervously pacing the living room, desperately hoping her father didn’t make it home before she left. She didn’t like the idea of having to introduce the two yet, but knew her over-protective father would have insisted on it.
“Hi,” Jillian said as she opened the door.
“Hello,” said Reid.
She watched his eyes move up and down her body and hoped she had made the right wardrobe choice. Reid had not said where he would be taking her. She’d finally decided on a blue cotton sundress with a low-heeled sandal as the best bet.
“You look great,” he said, and Jillian was relieved.
“Thanks. So do you.” And she wasn’t saying it just to return the compliment. He was wearing a lightweight button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms. It was untucked over a dark pair of fitted jeans.
“Shall we?” Reid asked.
Jillian grabbed her sweater and clutch from the bench next to the front door. It had been a warm late August day, but it would cool off quickly when the sun went down in a couple hours.
Reid’s black Porsche Cayenne was at the end of her driveway, and he helped her into it before climbing into the passenger seat.
“So where are we headed?” she asked as Reid pulled out of the neighborhood.
“Have you ever eaten at the Dahlia Lounge downtown?”
She shook her head.
“Then it will be a first for the both of us,” he said with a smile.
Jillian’s heart fluttered. This was also her first date in a long time. She hoped she was ready for it.
“How did you decide on this place?” Jillian asked when they were seated in the downtown Seattle restaurant
“The owner, Tom Douglas, does a radio show that I catch from time to time. I’ve wanted to try this restaurant, but haven’t had the opportunity until now.”
“Is that the only reason you asked me out?” she teased. “So you could eat here without looking sad and lonely?”
Reid laughed and Jillian was immediately in love with the sound of it. It was so warm and sincere. She really needed to watch herself with this one.
“Something like that,” he said. “And I thought it might be a good way for us to get to know each other. Seeing as how we’re neighbors and all.”
“Well, I’m always game for trying a new Tom Douglas restaurant,” she said, opening the menu.
“You’re familiar with him then?”
She nodded.
“Have you been to any of the others?”
“Just the sandwich shop down by Pike Place Market. I used to grab lunch from there all the time when I was working downtown.”
Jillian could feel the smile melting from her own face as memories came flooding in. Reid gave a questioning look, but before he could say anything, she forced the smile back on and changed the subject.
“So where did you live before you moved into the neighborhood?” she asked. “Are you from the area?”
“I was in Seattle for about a year before Renton,” he said. “And before that I was on the East Coast, where I grew up. How about you?”
Jillian sensed that he wasn’t eager to talk much more about his upbringing.
“I’ve always lived in the area,” she said. “I grew up in Renton, but moved into Seattle for school and was there until just recently.”
Problem was that Jillian wasn’t too eager to talk about her history either. Not yet at least. It was still too raw.
Fortunately they were saved from any more awkward questions by the server coming to tell them about the specials and take their drink orders.
“So how long have you been running?” Reid asked when the server stepped away, and Jillian was grateful. Here was a nice safe topic.
“I started running during college. The end of my freshman year to be exact.”
“And what made you decide to take it up?”
Jillian blushed. “It was silly. You would laugh at me.”
“What? No I won’t.”
She shook her head.
“You can’t leave me hanging like this,” he said.
Reid’s bright blue eyes were staring right into hers and she sighed, forcing herself to look away.
“You’ve heard of the freshman fifteen, right?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“I was a victim of the infamous curse,” she said and his eyebrow went up “and I kind of freaked out. My roommate was a runner, and she convinced me to sign up for a half-marathon with her. Told me it would be a great way to get back in shape.”
“Wait,” he interrupted, “you had never ran before and you signed up for thirteen miles right out of the gate?”
“Thirteen point one,” she said. “And there’s a good chance alcohol was involved.”
He laughed and asked, “How did it go?”
“I made it a whole half-mile that first day before I started puking.”
“Oh no!”
“Oh yes, it was embarrassing. I decided that I was never going to run again. But my dad was pissed. He’d been proud of me when I signed up for the race and gladly bought me the best running shoes and anything else I needed. I wasn’t allowed to back down now just because it had been a rough start.”
“And you’re still running now,” he said.
“When I crossed that finish line, I was proud of myself. I had done exactly what I’d set out to do when I laced up those first running shoes. I had gotten myself back in shape and felt good not only physically, but mentally as well. Whenever I’ve a hit rough patch in my life, being able to get out for a run has helped me deal with it.”
“That’s a great story,” he said. “Why did you think I would laugh at that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess because I was such a wuss about it in the beginning.”
“But then you stuck with it in the end. That says something.”
Jillian felt the familiar warmth in her cheeks as she smiled.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Reid couldn’t believe how well this was going. The conversation was flowing so naturally, and he loved watching her cute nose crinkle every time she laughed. But then the phone in his pocket vibrated. Reid glanced at it and remembered why dating was not a good idea in his line of work. He looked up and saw the concern in Jillian’s face.
“Is everything all right?” she asked.
“It’s work,” he said, frowning. “I am so sorry, but I have to go.
”
CHAPTER THREE
“Now?” Jillian asked with confusion all over her face.
“Yes.” He called the server over and handed her a credit card to pay for the meal. He didn’t have time to wait for the check. He also wasn’t going to have time to drive Jillian back to her house.
“Do you mind taking a cab home?” he asked.
Her jaw dropped.
“I only ask because I have to be there as soon as possible, and it would take me too long to drive to Renton and then back into Seattle.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, and Reid immediately hated himself for putting her in this position.
“How about if you just drive my car home instead?” He couldn’t believe he was offering to let someone else drive his Porsche, but he couldn’t stand the idea of sending her off like this. “I’ll take a cab into work and I can get a ride home when I’m done.”
“No, it’s fine,” she said, standing up and grabbing her sweater off the back of the chair. Reid knew it was anything but fine.
“I don’t mind taking a taxi home,” she said and started walking to the front just as the server dropped the receipt for him to sign. Reid quickly scrawled his signature and took off after her. She was already asking the hostess to call a cab for her.
“I’m really sorry, Jillian,” he said, following her out to the curb. “I told you I have to travel a lot. I just forgot to mention that it’s usually last minute.”
“I told you it’s fine. I understand.”
But she wouldn’t look at him. Reid knew that this was the perfect out. He had already warned her that there was a reason he wasn’t in a relationship. Now she would understand it firsthand and he could walk away. Future blowouts averted.
Instead, he kissed her. He didn’t give any warning, just pulled her into him and pressed his lips against hers. He could feel her surprise at first, but then her whole body relaxed against his.
He slowly let her go just as a cab stopped in front of them. She was breathless, but also looking confused.