by Abby Brooks
Evie’s eyes widened. She blinked. Licked her lips. A hard swallow and an open mouth as she searched for words had me realizing what I said could be taken in more ways than one.
Shit, Prescott. She thinks you’re coming onto her. Clarify!
“And what I really want is to drag myself out of this writer’s block in any way possible. I have this good feeling you’re just the thing I need.” Plus, let’s not forget, she was smokin’ hot. And easy to be around. And my sister seemed to like her.
Evie’s mouth closed and a blush pinked her cheeks. Her teeth captured her bottom lip, and I swore she still wasn’t happy with what I said until a smile finally thawed her features. “It would be an honor to work for you, Mr. Prescott. I do have questions about pay and hours and you know, job responsibilities and all, but assuming those things actually exist, I’m game if you are.”
I fought the urge to fist bump the sky. Game? Hell yes, I’m game! Finished draft, here I come.
“All right, then.” I smiled. “We can talk some more about salary and all that boring shit tomorrow. See if you still want to take me up on the deal once we actually know what I’m offering you.”
Evie shoved her hands in her back pockets as she met my eyes. Her smile was bold, but her eyes were scared. “Well, see,” she said with that indescribable laugh, “I’m trying this new thing where I say ‘yes’ instead of ‘no.’ No matter the terms, at this point, I’m all yours, Boss. I’m basically not allowed to turn you down.”
“You should be careful saying that to strangers, Evie.”
“What? That I’m all theirs?”
“That you’re not allowed to say no. That could get you into more trouble than you’re prepared for.”
Her face blanched.
“But don’t worry. I promise not to take advantage of you.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and grinned. “Too much.”
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket to the sound of her laughter.
Jude: I’m sensing a disturbance in the force. Apparently your neighbor’s house is occupado? Doesn’t that put a kink in your plans?
I apologized to Evie for the interruption before replying.
Me: I’m adapting. Beers? Tonight.
A series of gif responses had me laughing and Evie looking curious.
“Apparently I have plans tonight.” I waved the phone. The next thing out of my mouth was going to be an invitation to join us.
Was that wise?
I clamped my jaw shut and the silence dripped with awkwardness.
“Lucky you,” she replied with a light laugh. Hands still in pockets. Rocking back on heels. Her body language said she wouldn’t mind the invitation. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea, after all…
The front door squeaked open and I rejoiced in the interruption.
“Oh, Evie!” sang Madame Namaste. “I hate to interrupt your sexual fantasies about sexy neighbor man…” She pulled up short as her eyes met mine. “Oh. You’re here. Hi.” She lifted a hand as Evie choked and yanked her hands out of her pockets to cover her face.
“Amelia!” she hissed, peeking out from behind her fingers. Color rose in her cheeks and I swore she was praying for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. “I cannot believe you just did that!”
Her friend’s skirt swished over the steps as she descended. “I…uh…was just coming to tell you my brother will be here to pick me up in an hour.”
Evie looked like she was contemplating murder, then glanced at me like she wanted to explain, then dissolved in giggles. “I am so sorry.”
I held out my hands. “And on that note, it’s time for this sexy neighbor man to head on out.” Morgan bounded to his feet and trotted after me while Evie whisper-yelled at her friend.
I couldn’t make out everything they said, but I did hear Amelia say, “It’s not like he can’t tell you think he’s gorgeous!” It wasn’t hard to believe she raised her voice just to be sure I heard. As I crossed into my yard, I started wondering why I hadn’t asked Evie out for drinks with Jude.
She was alone in a new house, in a new town, with her moral support leaving in an hour. That wouldn’t do. Not at all. Telling myself I was taking care of my newest (and only) employee, I shot my sister a text, suggesting she invite my new neighbor out sometime.
That had nothing to do with me liking Evie. It certainly had nothing to do with me worrying about her, all alone in a new place. It most definitely had nothing to do with enjoying being called “sexy neighbor man.”
Obviously, I was doing what any boss would do for a new employee.
Morgan glanced up as I laughed.
“I’m not even fooling you, am I Morginator?”
I was nowhere near fluent in dog, but I was pretty sure the beast agreed I was full of shit.
Chapter Eight
Evie
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but Amelia had no problem choosing between the two. She laughed so hard she had to sit on one of the steps.
I scowled down at her from my place on the porch. “You are so lucky one of us isn’t dead right now.”
“Why would either of us be dead?” she wheezed, doubling down on the giggles. I hadn’t realized I was that funny, but as usual, her good mood was contagious.
“Me? Embarrassment. You? Because I could kill you for mentioning my sexual daydreams about my neighbor…while I was talking to him.” I joined her on the step. “I’m gonna work with that man. If I wasn’t trying out this new fearless thing, I’d have quit on the spot and reclaimed my place on your couch.”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “It’s not like you’re the first person to have a crush on her boss.”
“But I might be the first person to crush on a boss she mildly stalked six years ago and probably doesn’t have the skill she needs for the job he’s hiring her to do.”
Well, hell. I hadn’t meant to bring that up. It would have been better for all of us if that story stayed buried in my memory where it belonged.
Fearless, Evie. Remember what fearless feels like. All that self-doubt? Not working for you. I mentally squared my shoulders and lifted my chin.
“You mildly stalked Alexander Prescott?”
I nodded. “I don’t think he remembers, though. Either that or he’s being very polite about the whole thing.” Keeping an eye on those dark curls as he sauntered across the yards, I explained what happened, whispering in case sound traveled in unexpected ways. One accidental embarrassment was enough for the day.
Amelia leaned her head against mine. “Oh, Evie. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you remember it.”
“You’re right. It’s probably worse.”
“More likely, it’s something that happens to him all the time. I mean, you can’t look as good as he does and be as talented as he is and not have random women throwing themselves at you on a daily basis.” She laughed and I did too.
“I’m gonna miss you and your perpetual optimism.”
Amelia could be a lot to handle, but her irreverent positivity hid a woman who felt deeply and took care of her people. Without her, Wildrose Landing would feel bigger and less friendly, that much I knew for sure.
“I’m gonna miss you too. But the commune isn’t as bad as you made it out to be.” She winked and bumped her shoulder against mine as she waited for me to get the joke. “We’ll see each other more than you think.”
“That better be a promise.”
I was scared to be alone and she knew it, but neither one of us said anything. Fearless Eveline McAllister didn’t acknowledge anxiety, and happy-go-lucky Amelia Brown never gave it the time of day in the first place.
“You didn’t have to ask Darian to come get you. I would have been happy to drive you home.”
Amelia hit me with a look that cut through the bullshit. “Just because you don’t like my brother doesn’t mean you should lose a chunk of your day chauffeuring me around.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I picked at the dirt under my nails.<
br />
It wasn’t that I didn’t like Darian. He just inevitably rubbed me the wrong way. The man was somehow both identical to and completely different from his sister. They knew who they were and had no qualms being true to themselves, but where Amelia was into signs from the universe and plant medicine, Darian fell squarely into logic, science, and mild assholery.
Amelia tossed an arm over my shoulder. “I get it. He’s exhausting with his need for proof and his inability to have a little faith in things he can’t see. But, he is my brother, Evie.”
“I know, love. I’ll try and be cordial when he gets here.”
“But not too cordial, in case sexy neighbor man is watching.” She giggled and the breeze flooded my nostrils with her essential oils. Maybe I’d buy some after she left.
“You shouldn’t have brought that back up. I’d almost forgotten you embarrassed me like that.”
“Yeah, right.” Amelia arched an eyebrow. “Like you’ve ever forgotten anything. Might as well call you Dumbo.”
I scrunched up my nose and shook my head. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
An hour passed with us on the stoop, wrapped in friendship and conversation as red leaves see-sawed to the grass. Darian’s Tesla rolled to a stop in front of the house. He unfurled his long frame from the driver’s seat and let out a low whistle. “Okay then, Evie. What’s the catch?”
I stood and rested a hand on the handrail. “What do you mean, what’s the catch?”
“I mean, houses like this don’t just drop into people’s laps. Is it falling apart? Does it need new wiring? Plumbing? Are the neighbors running a meth lab out of their basement?”
My gaze bounced to Alex’s house. No meth labs. Just crushing good looks and a total lack of interest in me. “There’s no catch. Well, other than the loss of my Great Aunt Ruth.”
“The fact that it’s haunted is a pretty big catch.” Amelia shimmied in excitement as Darian rolled his eyes.
“There’s no ghost,” I said before he could eviscerate his sister.
Her jaw dropped. “Then how do you explain the lights? The lack of dust? Or what about the fact that the kitchen was rearranged when we got home yesterday? Or the shadowy figure everyone seems to see through the windows?”
“The kitchen wasn’t rearranged,” I explained to Darian. “We just couldn’t remember if we were slobs or neat freaks.” The rest I had no explanation for, other than the fact that small towns loved to gossip.
Amelia slapped my arm. “You have a clean ghost, and you know it, but you’re trying to look cool and impress my brother.”
“Evie doesn’t have to work to impress me. You know that.” Darian slipped an arm around my shoulder.
I shifted out of his reach to wrap Amelia in a hug. “Thank you for coming out here with me.”
She squeezed until I saw stars. “Thank you for letting me spend a night in a haunted house. And for not killing me when I let it slip that you have a massive crush on your super-hot neighbor.”
She dropped her bags in her brother’s car, hugged me one last time, then drove away, officially leaving me alone in the brand-new life I hadn’t wanted.
I watched them go, then returned to planting the daffodil, crocus, and hyacinth bulbs I’d been working on when Alex arrived. With the house fully furnished and my job situation sketchy at best, my desire to nest seemed destined to happen outside. The fruits of my labor wouldn’t appear until the spring, but the best things in this world took time. It was the wait that made it worth it.
At least, that was what I kept telling myself.
When I finally break out of my shell, it’ll be worth it!
When I finally publish a book, it’ll be worth it!
Maybe I’d been making excuses for myself all along and time was the slow erosion of good intentions.
The crunch of leaves under feet interrupted my thoughts, announcing someone walking up the driveway. Was it Alex? The ghost? Either option would make my afternoon. I spun, surprised to find an older woman headed my way, her salt and pepper hair pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck. A friendly smile lifted her lips while shrewd eyes raked over my face. A gingham cloth covered a casserole dish clutched in her hands. “Hello there, neighbor!”
I stood, brushing dirt from my palms. “Hi! How are—”
“I live right across the street, there. When I heard someone had moved into Ruth Graywood’s place, I just about danced through town. I baked you a lasagna because everyone knows a full stomach makes you feel like home.” She held out the dish. “I’m Greta Macmillan and I’d officially like to welcome you to Wildrose Landing.”
“Thank you so—”
“I came by earlier, but saw you with your girlfriend.” She leaned in. “I experimented a little when I was younger too. You’ll get no judgement from me. Love knows no boundaries.”
“Amelia’s just my friend, Mrs.—”
“Please. Call me Greta. And call your friend whatever you want. Your secret’s safe with me.” Something in her smile told me nothing was safe with her.
“Thank you.” I held out the lasagna. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy—”
“Well, dear.” Greta dug in her purse and pulled out her phone. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll just be on my way. I’ll be back later to pick up my casserole dish.”
She turned and ambled down the drive, typing wildly on her device, leaving me to stare in confusion. As Greta reached the street, my phone buzzed from its place on the porch and I scurried up the stairs. Instead of the zany text from Amelia I expected, I found something from an unknown number.
Hey, Evie! It’s Izzy, seller of genius nuggets and sister to neighbors. Would you, by any chance, want to meet for drinks tonight? Thought you might like to have a friend. Also, I’m not a crazy stalker, but my brother might be. I got your number from him.
My first response was to say no. In fact, I had the reply tapped out, complete with a perfect excuse of exhaustion and overwhelm, when I remembered I was supposed to say yes to everything.
Well, shit.
My thumb hovered over the send button, but I finally deleted the text and typed in a new response, complete with enough exclamation points to make Amelia proud.
“Remember to be fearless, Evie. Say yes. Stop hiding,” I muttered to my phone as I hit send.
Me: Sign me up! Where? When? And thanks for asking me!
Izzy shot me the name of a bar Amelia pointed out in our explorations yesterday. We made plans to meet at six and I practically skipped inside to get ready, carefully looking for signs of the ghost along the way.
Chapter Nine
Alex
Energy dripped from the walls at Cheers ‘n Beers—the bar owned and managed by one of my closest friends, Jude Malone—while judgement clouded my friends’ smirking faces. “Watching my neighbor through my office window doesn’t make me a stalker.” I glared down the bar, daring them to say anything different.
“I think watching people when they don’t know you’re looking is one of the key elements of stalking.” Jude quirked a brow then turned to our friend Austin, who shrugged and tossed back the rest of his beer.
“I don’t know. Alex is always staring out windows. Just ‘cause his neighbor is outside when he does it doesn’t make him a stalker.”
“Yes.” I flared my hands and bobbed my head. “Exactly. Thanks, Austin.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Austin. For ruining all the fun.” Jude leaned his elbows on the bar. “Now what will I tease him about?”
“Don’t worry.” Austin grinned. “He’ll give you plenty of ammo before the night’s over. Of that you can be sure.”
“Remind me why I’m out with you two tonight?” I quirked my head as I shifted my drink between my hands.
“Because Cheers ‘n Beers is the place to be, especially when you’re out with me.” Only Jude could pull off a statement that ridiculous.
“The good news is, if you’re here, you can’t be stalking your neighbor.” Austin’s gru
ff voice quirked with laughter.
Jude guffawed and offered him a high five.
“You guys are assholes.” I threw back the rest of my beer and signaled for another.
“That’s good,” Jude said. “You fit right in.”
“Have either of you heard from Jack? Any chance he’ll be here tonight?”
Austin shook his head. “His sitter fell through. Man, that guy sure could use a break. Life just keeps smacking him in the head.”
Jude and I bobbed our heads in agreement. Somehow, Jack Cooper had been enrolled in the school of hard knocks. Of all of us, he was the one who least deserved it.
Seeing as most of Wildrose Landing had decided to celebrate the end of the weekend with drinks, the front door had been swinging open all night long. The crowd got bigger. The sound got louder. People came and went, and I didn’t care. Until—it was like a tap on my shoulder and a whisper in my ear, “Hey! Asshole! Look who’s here!” I glanced at the entrance just in time to see Evie come through with Izzy.
Our eyes met. Her cheeks flushed. My drink paused on the way to my mouth.
Austin followed my gaze. “No wonder you’re stalking her.”
“I’m not stalking her,” I muttered.
Jude shot him a questioning look. “Her as in…?”
Austin indicated the door with the neck of his beer. “The only face I don’t recognize in the place. The powers of deduction insist that is none other than Eveline McAllister, hanging out with Izzy Prescott. Seems like a hell of a coincidence, if you ask me.”
“We weren’t asking you,” I gruffed.
“The powers of deduction?” Jude drew his eyebrows together. “Fancy words for a mechanic.”
“A mechanic who owns the best auto repair shop in three counties and hangs out with a writer. Funny. Seems to me you’re the one with the shit vocabulary.” Austin cocked a dark eyebrow and went back to his drink.