Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“Oh, that’s a bit sad.” She pouted. “You can’t keep him?”
“Not with my hours.” I shrugged. “It’s not that I don’t want to. It just wouldn’t be fair.”
Sucking on her bottom lip, she hesitantly reached for the box.
My pulse skipped at her proximity.
“Okay…I guess I can watch him.”
“You will? Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
She sniffed and tried smiling again. “I’m not planning on leaving the house today, so it might be nice to have some company.”
I couldn’t respond to that without revealing I knew far too much about why she wasn’t leaving and why she needed company. To be honest, I liked the thought of her having a little creature in the house. Something she could talk to if the TV randomly turned on again or if memories decided to haunt her.
Taking a deep breath as if fortifying herself to come nearer, she squeaked a little as I shifted and handed her the box.
Our arms brushed.
Our faces came closer than they’d ever been.
All I wanted to do was grab her in a kiss.
I couldn’t tear my eyes off her mouth.
I couldn’t forget how happy she’d been to see me last night and how she leaned on me whenever she got scared.
I spoke before I could stop myself. “Sailor, I—”
“Didn’t you say you were late?” Hefting the box-trapped kitten into her arms, she forced a smile. It came out a little strained, a little wobbly. “Go to work, Alexander. I’ve got this.”
“Zander.” I sighed. “Please call me Zan if you don’t like Zander. No one has ever called me Alex.”
She backpedalled, almost tripping on the rug in the foyer. “Okay, sorry. I, eh, I won’t do it again. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine.”
“Have a good day at work.”
I squeezed my nape. My nervous fidget couldn’t be ignored as I shifted my glasses higher up my nose. I backed up a step, giving her room. “If the cat gets to be too much, just call the hospital, and someone will contact me. I’ll see if one of my sisters can pop by to take him.”
“Okay.” She refused to make eye contact, her entire body language screaming for me to leave.
Another wash of goosebumps coated me as my heart squeezed.
Her rejection shouldn’t hurt, but it did.
Her refusal to get friendly broke me apart piece by piece.
She’d never once looked at X like that. Even when I’d broken into her house and found her on the couch, she’d traded her fear for relief the second she’d known it was me.
If I’d gone to her as Zander, she’d probably still be running.
A spike of jealousy joined in the mix of confusing feelings.
I was jealous.
Of X.
I was envious.
Of myself.
And that’s my cue to get the hell out of here.
Walking down the two steps, I paused and said over my shoulder, “Thanks, Lo—” I coughed and cleared my throat. “Sailor.”
Her eyebrows pinched. “What were you going to call me?”
I forced a chuckle. “What Rory used to call you. Lor. But I figured it might not be my place.”
She drew herself up. “Look, Alex—I mean, Zander…I know we’ve practically grown up in each other’s periphery, and our grandparents were best friends, and you’re a great guy, and nothing would make the ghosts of our grans happier if we talked more and became more than just neighbours, but—”
“It’s fine.” I held up my hand. “I get it.”
She nodded and fell quiet, but then she puffed out her chest and added, “I like you. I really do. I always have, if I’m honest. I like the boy you were, and the man you’ve become is super impressive, but…I just need…after what happened. I—”
“You don’t have to—”
“Will you let me finish?” Frustration flashed in her stare.
I flushed. “Sorry. I…yes. Go ahead.”
“I just wanted to say…I just need you to know…” She exhaled hard. Hugging the box, she kissed the kitten on his head as he hopped up to headbutt her chest. “All I’m trying to say is, it’s not you, alright? I don’t mean to be standoffish, and I would hate to make you uncomfortable. You shouldn’t have to think I’m your last resort for help…that’s all I’m saying.” Her smile was tear-bright and brittle. “I’m grateful for all you did for Nana and caring for me after my…” She swallowed hard. “Accident. I’m lucky to have you as my neighbour, and I hope I can be a good neighbour in return.”
Unlike with X, who she’d sworn a vow of honesty with, she spoke blatant lies today all because I’d acted like a nervous fool and made her feel guilty.
Turning to face her, I balled my hands. “I’m not just your neighbour, Sailor, I’m your friend. I always have been. Always will be. And I like you too and completely understand it isn’t easy for you at the moment. I hate that I’ve imposed by asking you to cat sit. You don’t have to apologise to me. I get it. Probably more than you realise.”