Chapter 2
TWO
Meyer
I peek out the window, ensuring my new curvy neighbor isn’t outside before taking the trash out. It’s a week since she moved in, and she’s already driving me crazy.
She’s always outside. Always humming or fussing with her garden. I don’t think she’d even unpacked before she was outside, planting stuff. She even dropped off a rose bush on my front porch with a note offering to help me care for it.
I head back inside, ignoring the rose bush on the kitchen counter as I fill a glass with water. I down half of it in one gulp.
What the hell am I going to do about her?
I moved to Wolf Valley three months ago after leaving the Marines. I liked being all alone out here. I didn’t have to see anyone unless I wanted to or had to go to town for supplies. Now, my bubbly, beautiful neighbor is ruining my solitude.
She’s driving me crazy. She’s too sweet, too enthusiastic, too...
Everything I’m not, I think with a sigh.
I’ve avoided her because I can’t deny my feelings when I see her.
I want her.
I’ve never wanted anyone before, but fuck, do I want her.
She’s been living rent-free in my head for the past week. I’m always looking for her, half hoping and half dreading I’ll see her. She even follows me into my dreams. I’ve woken up with a hard-on every single day this week. I’ve jerked off in the shower thinking about her so much that I’m afraid I’m getting carpal tunnel.
Something needs to change.
I’m just not sure what or how.
My phone rings, and I know who it is without looking. “Yes, I’m still alive.”
Camden sighs dramatically. “Oh, thank God! I was so worried about you. I almost called in a welfare check on you.”
I roll my eyes and head into my office, sinking into the chair.
Camden and I were in the Marines together, and he’s the reason I ended up in Wolf Valley. He grew up here, and listening to him talk about it, the place sounded like paradise. I had no desire to go back to New Jersey after I was shot and medically discharged from the Marines, so I decided to see what it was all about.
So far, I love it here.
Then I think about my new neighbor and grit my teeth.
I tell myself I need to forget about her , but I know it’s useless. I’ve tried to ignore her every day since I met her, and it hasn’t worked.
All I can think about is her smile, her stormy blue eyes, and her curves.
Focus.
“What’s up?” I ask Camden.
“Just seeing what you’re up to.”
“Not much.”
“You never are.”
“Isn’t that the bright side of being retired?” Even I can hear the bitterness in my voice.
I loved being a Marine. I loved all of it: the training, the deployments, my brothers. And I was damn good at it.
Until a bullet ended my career.
I rub my shoulder as a phantom ache burns beneath my skin.
“Come out with me tonight,” Camden says.
I groan. “I?—”
“I know you,” he cuts me off. “I know you don’t have plans or a life or other friends.”
I remain silent because he’s right.
“Come get a beer with me, man. Lymric is out of town again, and I’m bored.”
I try to think of a way to get out of it. Then I realize this might be the distraction I need to forget all about my new neighbor.
“All right, I’m in. What time and where?”
“Murphy’s Bar. Six o’clock.”
“See you then.”
“You better. Or I’ll drive out there and get you.”
I know he will, too.
“I’ll be there,” I promise.
We end the call, and I lean back in my chair, looking around the empty office. My shoulder is killing me, and I groan as I stand and search for my heating pad.
I flip through the TV channels for a bit before giving up and peeking out my window at my neighbor’s house. She’s home now. I pace my kitchen, waiting to catch a glimpse of her, but she stays inside.
At six. I grab my keys and head out, deliberately keeping my gaze away from her place.
By the time I get to the bar, Camden is already there. I slide into the booth opposite him and take the beer he offers me. He’s busy on his phone, and I know by his smile that he’s texting his girlfriend, Lymric.
Camden’s completely smitten and head over heels for his girl. I’m genuinely glad for him—he’s a good guy and deserves to be happy.
But a part of me is deeply jealous. I would never admit it to him, but I want what he has.
“How’s your girl?” I ask when he finally looks up at me.
“Great,” he says with a wide smile. “You should find someone so we can double date.”
“Right,” I deadpan.
“I mean it. It would be good for you. I’ll even help. Set you up on a blind date.”
“That sounds like a terrible idea.”
He grins. “Trust me. It’ll be great.”
I sigh, taking another drink of my beer.
“Fine,” I agree, surprising both of us.
Camden smirks, and my stomach sinks.
Yeah, I’m definitely going to regret this.