Chapter 3 #2
“Ruby-Doo will be very upset to hear you dismissing love at first sight,” I tell him instead.
Nick’s expression softens at the mention of his girlfriend. “She didn’t say she believed in it.”
“She didn’t say that she didn’t either,” I point out.
Nick shakes his head and lets out a low chuckle.
“You don’t believe in love at first sight?” Shep asks D-Low in a way that indicates maybe our quiet defenseman does. Good. I need an ally.
“I believe in evolutionary biology and neurochemistry that predispose us all to be attracted to people instantly.”
I groan. Why is this so hard for people to wrap their heads around? I thought it was universally accepted like soulmates. “And that’s different from love at first sight how?”
“Attraction is not love.”
“It was more than that. I’m telling you. We had a connection.”
“One that landed her in jail.”
I groan. “You guys are the worst friends ever.”
I have tried very hard to forget about that part. I definitely shouldn’t have told them. They had a good laugh at my expense.
As the conversation moves on to other topics, I keep thinking about Hannah.
Did she get my apology DM? She hasn’t replied, which leads me to believe she’s still pissed.
I pull out my phone and open up her social media account.
Yes, I am lightly stalking her socials. It took no time to find her.
Hannah and gymnast in a search string led me to her almost instantly.
I didn’t let myself do a full deep dive.
I merely followed her and then sent her a message.
That was twenty-four hours ago, and she hasn’t followed me back or read the message.
I type out a long-winded apology, in case the first two weren’t sufficient. Then delete it. No, this will be better in person. We’re living next door to each other. She can’t avoid me forever.
The following night, otherwise known as forty-eight hours with no response from Hannah, Shep and D-Low come over to hang out.
“What are we feeling?” D-Low asks, holding his phone in both hands. “Pizza or Thai?”
“Pizza,” I say at the same time Shep says, “Thai.”
We share a smile.
“I’m good with either,” I say, then stand to grab another round of beers. “You be the tiebreaker, D-Low.”
“Done,” he says as I’m coming back into the living room.
I hand out the cold beers and then take mine to the window. Hannah’s Jeep is in the driveway, and the light is on, so I know she’s in there.
“Do you think I should go over and say hi?” I ask, glancing back at them for support.
D-Low’s lips twist into a smirk. “Do I think you should go stalk your hot neighbor?” He folds his hands in his lap and leans back like he’s carefully considering it. “Depends.”
“On?”
“Well, if we’re talking about the potential entertainment value then absolutely. Every time you talk to this chick it’s a disaster.”
I flip him off.
He chuckles. “But if you think a little light stalking is going to win her over, I’d urge you to reconsider.”
With a groan, I take my seat on the couch again.
“You’re really spun up over this chick,” Shep notes.
“I know. I know. I can’t explain it.” I run my hands over my head. “I felt a spark. A connection.”
The guys are quiet and from their expressions I think they might be starting to understand.
Hannah isn’t just some gorgeous girl next door.
For the first time in as long as I can remember I left a conversation with a woman eager for more.
I wasn’t thinking about hooking up or anything else.
I just wanted to get to know her. I still do.
“If you really feel that way, then maybe you should try to talk to her again,” Shep says.
“What’s one more rejection in the span of what…three days?” D-Low asks. “Where are we at? Three? Four?”
I’ve lost track. Which is maybe his point.
“Fine. You’re right. I’m bordering on creepy at this point.”
“Bordering?” D-Low mutters.
I sigh loudly.
“Maybe I should go instead. I might have better luck.” D-Low’s grin is full of playful mischief. I still consider punching him.
“If you ask out Hannah and she says yes, I’m going to have to break your nose. And then stop talking to you.”
“You’d never get a clean shot, and I have other friends.”
“Fucker.”
The doorbell rings and he chuckles, getting to his feet. “That’s probably my girl Hannah now.”
“Get the damn food,” I growl at him.
His laughter follows him out of the living room to the front door.
“That was fast,” Shep notes.
I’m only half-listening to him, wistfully watching toward the window.
D-Low comes back a minute later with a small brown bag and sets it on the coffee table, then heads toward the kitchen.
The smell of something greasy and delicious hits my nose. I pull out a carton of noodles and chopsticks and dig in, leaving the rest in the bag for the guys.
“I need a plan,” I say around a mouthful of Thai food when D-Low comes back into the living room.
Shep sits forward and takes the bag from me. “To ask out your neighbor again?”
I give him a “duh" look and he nods.
D-Low sets the plates and forks down. Shep reaches into the bag and pulls out a small bowl of soup.
“This is it?” he holds the container as he looks to D-Low.
“Why are you looking at me? I have no idea. I ordered pizza.”
I pause with another hunk of noodles millimeters from my mouth.
“Who ordered the Thai, then?” Shep asks.
“I thought you ordered it,” D-Low says, then picks up the bag and looks at the receipt stapled to the side. His lips pull into an amused grin. “Hannah Walsh.”
His dark brows lift as he looks at me. “Wow, Bennett.”
I look down into the half-empty container of noodles. “Oh, fuck.”
D-Low’s deep chuckle makes a pit form in my stomach.
Shep shrugs. “On the plus side, now you have an excuse to go talk to your hottie neighbor.”