Romance with Mr. Grumpy Pants: A Witty, Opposites Attract, Enemies to Lovers, Next Door Neighbor, Sw

13. Jessica

Today begins with a shimmering promise, a far cry from the tumultuous day I first crossed paths with Brian. My velvety rich coffee dances across my taste buds, hitting all the right spots. And it’s amazingly quiet. Isn’t that exciting?

I savor my coffee as I stroll through the house.

Are you satisfied now, Jessica?

What’s that supposed to mean? This is the most productive I’ve been in days. It’s worth celebrating.

Is it, though?

My phone rings, interrupting my silent conversation with myself. I roll my eyes at the caller—Gina, of course.

She speaks hushed and hurriedly into the speaker like she doesn’t want someone else to know she’s mad at me.

She says, “I’ve been sitting at my desk all morning, waiting patiently for you to send the documents as promised, Jess.”

I smile, though she can’t see it. “Hey, Gina.”

“Uh-uh. No heys. What’s going on?”

I place the phone down and tap the loudspeaker icon before settling onto the couch. “Calm down, will you?”

“You’re being smug, which means you’re done. So where is it?”

I caress the sweet nylon fabric of my sporty polo. “I don’t know about finished, but I’ve got something for you.”

“What on earth are you talking about? You haven’t finished?’’

I sigh. “I have, but the book may have ended up being a two-part book, and I’ve only completed the first part.”

There’s a short silence. I know she’s turning crimson red on her retro swivel chair in that funky office of hers.

“Jess, I’m a graduate of UC Berkeley, and my degree in literature suggests that I’m pretty good at reading.”

“Uh-huh. Where are you going with this?”

“Well, if I’m good at reading, then how did I read the outline you sent to me a month ago and somehow skip the piece about this book being two parts?”

I huff. “Gina, we’ve talked about this. I can’t rigidly follow outlines. That’s just the rough draft of what the book would be like. Some changes are definitely gonna be made during the writing process.”

“Have you completely fallen off the rocker? Adding a new character is a flexible change. Changing the location or recreating a couple of chapters are acceptable modifications, but splitting the book into two parts is going in a completely different direction.”

“Perhaps I did. Maybe that’s where I thrive.”

“Really?”

“Look, on the brighter side, which you’ve conveniently chosen to overlook, I’ve got a complete book for you. Besides, more plot means more income. What are you so worried about?”

“You dragging out part two like you did part one! And now I have to draft a lengthy email for the publishers, so they’re not completely sidelined by this news like I am now.”

“Oh, Gina. What would I do without you.”

“You’re killing me. Send my book. You could manage that without me having to call you.”

Grinning, I pick up a homemade salted caramel cookie on the side table and nibble on it. Yummy. It’s soft, sweet, and has the right amount of salt. I bask in my newfound euphoric mood before replying.

“I’ll send it right after our call.”

She exhales in relief. “So, how has your neighbor been?”

Her question sends a sharp sting through my heart. Now that I think about it, I can attribute my pleasant mornings to his band not practicing. I haven’t heard a peep from his house for the last couple of days. I pull my phone from my ear and look at the time. Lily will be back soon. He’s usually up to no good well before then. Calling the cops for noise disturbance seemed to do the trick.

“He’s been behaving.”

“What did you do?”

I gasp and blink at her accusation. I’m not telling her that I called the cops on the leader of her favorite band. She’ll probably still find out from some podcast or interview, but it won’t be coming from me.

“What? I didn’t do anything. He’s probably just taking a break or something. Maybe he finally decided to do something better.”

“Gosh. How can you speak of him with such disgust? You know you’re single, right? You haven’t been on a date in years…since Liam. And now, the universe delivers a hot guy to your doorstep and—”

“Bye, Gina,” I interfere. “I’ll send you the book now.”

“Girl, you better get into your best dress and invite that man over for dinner.”

“Enjoy your day, Gina. Byyyyeee,” I repeat. She’s relentless, a hopeless romantic.

I grab my coffee and cookies and go upstairs to my bedroom. After sending Gina my manuscript, I click the Netflix app on my computer screen. I could use a change of scenery from my writing and the hollering of the band next door. I’m about to start my favorite reality series, ‘Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,’ when I hear the sound of Lily’s school bus pulling up. My show will have to wait.

I rush downstairs to greet Lily, and when I swing the front door open, I’m surprised to find her already standing on the porch.

I can barely get a word in before she exclaims, “Hi, Mommy!” She gives me a quick squeeze, then zips upstairs to change and drop her things off.

“Hi, baby,” I yell after her, laughing.

Knowing she must be starving, I stride to the kitchen to prepare a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to hold her over until dinner. I also place another batch of cookies into the oven as I wait for Lily to come back down, this time chocolate chip, her favorite.

Hmm.I have nothing to do for the rest of the day, except make dinner, which I haven’t even decided on. Does this make me happy?

A subtle feeling of guilt begins to gnaw at my gut. I adjust in my chair. Well, I’m not unhappy. If anything, I feel a little remorseful. I hadn’t quite thought things through before calling the cops on Brian the other night, and even though I don’t exactly miss his drumming, I didn’t expect him to stop completely. I was more so acting out of pure frustration at that moment, not really considering the consequences.

Gina would never forgive me if she knew I was directly responsible for the visit from the authorities. And Brian would probably never look in my direction again if we run into each other outside.

My eyes fall to the cookie jar, remaining glued to it for a while as I debate an idea that enters my head.

“Can I hug you, Mom?” Lily asks, snapping me out of the cycle of confusion in my mind.

My jaw drops at her words. I look up to find her walking towards me. She has a forlorn expression on her face.

“Come here, baby.” I open my arms, inviting her in for a hug. She struts closer and wraps her arms around my body.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I might’ve hurt my friend’s feelings. He doesn’t talk to me anymore...”

“Your friend?”

“Yes,” she nods.

“I’m sorry, honey. Tell me what happened. Who’s this friend?”

Backing out of the hug, but keeping her hand in mine, she continues, “He’s really funny and nice, but he barely talks to anyone. And he’s talented, too.”

“That’s quite a lot. I see why he’s your friend.”

“Yeah. He’s a lot.”

“Well, does this friend of yours have a name?”

She nods, “Uh-huh. His name is Brian.”

The smile on my face sinks instantly. “Brian? The neighbor?”

“Yeah. I think I made him mad or something when I came back from school the other day. He hasn’t come out to see me for days.”

“Trust me, honey. The neighbor is just fine.”

“Are you sure, Mom?” She glances at the oven. “Maybe we should bring him some cookies and milk.”

“Lily?” She must have read my mind when I was entertaining the scenario a few seconds ago.

“He’ll love it. I know he will,” she answers, hope glimmering in her eyes.

My voice wafts through my head. I don’t recall the confrontation exactly, but I’m sure he mentioned something about liking cookies.

Hesitantly, I agree, removing the cookies from the oven and letting them cool for a few minutes.

After we pack the cookie jar to the brim and fill a mug with milk, we walk next door to pay Brian a visit.

His home is quiet when we arrive, but we hear the faint sound of music in the distance. He must be home. I ring his doorbell a few times, but he doesn’t answer.

I groan as we go around to the side of his house. “Hello?” I call.

Nothing.

Lily tugs at my clothes. “Mom?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Can I go get my drumsticks?”

“Drumsticks? I never bought you any drumsticks. What are you talking about?”

She puts her hand over her lips and giggles. “It’s a surprise.”

“Ok but be quick.”

She hurries back towards the house. I return to the front door to try the doorbell again, keeping my eye on Lily. Still, no response. I twist the handle, and the door opens, music blaring through the stereo.

“Brian?” I shout through the noise.

He has his bare back to me, a red dumbbell in his hand. His skin is oiled with sweat as his shoulders flex with each movement. My eyes fall to his biceps, mesmerized by their definition. Subconsciously, I lick my lips as I watch him curl the dumbbell in quick, fluid repetitions, causing my pulse to quicken.

Suddenly, he spins around, his eyes latching onto mine and breaking my hypnotism.

Shoot! Caught ogling again.I swallow, my saliva struggling down my throat as if passing through rocky terrain.

“What are you doing here?”