Chapter 2 #2
His jet-black hair styled short on the sides and a little longer on top, sweeping to the right.
His beard and moustache are so beautifully manicured and just long enough to make me wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through them.
And the way he was leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together in front of him, left an impression on me for sure.
I couldn’t help but notice the sleeves of his black button-up shirt were rolled neatly up to his elbows, displaying his forearms and a few strong veins bulging impressively.
With his black suit pants and black socks completing the outfit, he left nothing out of place, giving me the vibe that’s how he likes his life.
Stiff and structured.
And as much as I was impressed by him, that was all pushed aside the moment he stood up.
Landon is intimidating.
Tall, broadly built, and a stare that reveals his dark intensity.
If I didn’t know better from what Mom has told me, I would say he radiates a grumpy red flag. But all the things he has done to help her out tell me another story and that under his rough exterior there is a good guy.
I can imagine life hasn’t been easy for him since his wife died.
And on top of that, owning and operating a bar in downtown Boston means you need to be a strong force in the business.
Alcohol can bring out the worst in people.
I see it every day in my job, when we are pulling people out of a car wreck caused by a drunk driver.
So, looking like Landon does I’m sure helps to keep his patrons under control.
Focusing on the sound of rain on the roof, I wonder if Landon is lying in his bed thinking about our unusual introduction tonight, just like I am.
Who am I kidding, that man wouldn’t have thought about me beyond the moment I walked out of his house. I’m just his neighbor’s daughter who stepped in to solve a problem.
Simple as that.
He’s probably already asleep.
Hmmm, what would a man like Landon wear in bed, or does he sleep naked? Now that’s an image I will happily take into my dreams tonight.
Bang, bang, bang.
“Ughh, really.” Opening my eyes and tapping my phone, I’m shocked to see that it’s just after ten in the morning.
Getting to sleep for the second time last night was a struggle, but once I did, I must’ve fallen into a deep one. It’s probably my trusty old bed that is still molded to my body shape and the quietness of Mom’s house.
Autumn: Open the door! Your coffee’s getting cold.
The need for a strong coffee is enough to make me throw the blankets back and wrap myself in a robe. Thank goodness for central heating because the house is warm, and I don’t have to worry about changing out of my pajamas because it’s only Autumn at the door.
“About time, it’s freezing out here. My nipples are so hard from the cold they might just snap off.
” Autumn is bundled up and looks at me cheekily.
“But you didn’t tell me about this development.
” Before I have time to work out what she means, she grabs my hand and pulls me out the door onto the front porch.
The cold air hits me and takes my breath away, as I’m so underdressed.
“What the fuck, Autumn.” I stumble, still wearing my stripey Christmas bed socks, and then just as I stand upright, I hear her call out.
“Hi there, neighbor!” My head whips up to see Landon standing on his porch holding a couple of parcels in his hand and looking back at us, totally confused at what’s happening. I am dying a thousand deaths on the inside.
Our eyes lock, and I lift a hand quickly before retreating inside the house without saying a word. I shut the door behind me, leaving Autumn outside because she deserves to have no nipples from the cold. Then I hear her voice through the door.
“Let me in or I’m inviting him over for coffee too.” And I don’t doubt her after the stunt she just pulled.
Opening the door, I don’t give her time to embarrass me any further and pull her inside, locking it behind her.
“I hate you! Why would you do that to me?” Stomping down the hallway to the kitchen, Autum follows behind me, laughing all the way.
“I needed to make sure you saw what I was seeing.” Placing the coffees down on the counter, she heads to the container my mom left for her.
“And what was that?” I mumble.
“The perfect-ten man next door. You didn’t tell me about him, otherwise I would’ve been over here visiting your mother every week. Oh, wait, that’s why you kept him to yourself, isn’t it. Hmmm, sly, but I like it.” And that’s when Autumn lets out a loud gasp.
“How could you, I thought you loved me.” She holds up the empty container in disgust.
“Says the woman who just paraded me in my pajamas in front of the GQ model next door. I think we are even now.” Taking my coffee, I wrap my hands around it to warm them up, and the first mouthful is like heaven, both for the caffeine and the warmth that is spreading through my body.
“Oh, come on, I had to make sure I wasn’t just imagining him, because no one looks that good at this time of the morning. I mean, exhibit A.” She waves her hand up and down in front of me.
“Wow, and I thought you missed me,” I answer. I put my coffee back down on the counter and open my arms. “I haven’t even gotten a hug yet.”
When we connect in a deep hug, it’s like we haven’t been apart for months. I’ve had many friends in my time, but there are those few special ones that once they imprint on your soul, they are there for life.
That is Autumn.
We are different in so many ways, but it doesn’t matter. If anything, that’s what makes us work.
Time to put her out of her misery.
“Pantry, top shelf, blue container,” I whisper in her ear and pull away. Turning and hoisting myself up on the island counter, I take another mouthful of coffee and wait for the squeal.
“You do love me,” she says, exiting the pantry with a mouthful of cinnamon bun.
“After this morning, you are barely in my good books, but I will never not love you, you know that.
“Yeah, yeah.” Autumn waves her hand at me, placing the container on the counter and then joining me sitting up on the island, just like we have done since we were teenagers.
I mean, it’s the best spot in the kitchen.
You get a clear view out of the window, and it’s close to both the fridge and the pantry; all vital locations.
“Okay, you first. What’s happening with that guy from the deli near your office?” I nudge her shoulder with mine as I take one of the buns out of the container, because she owes me.
Autumn rolls her eyes at me, and I immediately know this story’s going to be a good one.
“Well, you know that I’ve been flirting up a storm with him the last week. And then yesterday, when I went in for my lunch, he asked me what I would like, and I thought I would be cute and said, I’ll have pepperoni on my club sandwich because I love a good sausage.”
“Oh my God! You did not say that to him.” I gasp at her boldness.
“Of course I did, you know I have no shame.” She laughs out loud.
“And?” I look at her.
“He replied so do I.” Autumn slaps herself on the forehead, and we both burst out laughing to the point where I almost wet myself as tears stream down my face.
“And this is why I love you. Nobody makes me laugh like you do.” Pulling ourselves together, our chatter continues as she tells me about the guy she took home last night from the bar.
“Now that was some good sausage, I must say.” Autumn winks at me, bragging about the sex, and I can’t help but be a little jealous. I wish I was as brave as her.
“That’s what we need for you, some awesome sausage. It will prove my point that Dean was a waste of space in all aspects.” She gives me that I-told-you-so look.
“Can we stop referring to dicks as sausages, please? I’ll never be able to eat pepperoni or salami again. And I really like salami,” I tell her, taking the last sip of my coffee.
“Oh, you bad girl. You like the big sausages, good for you.” Autumn’s reply has me spitting out my coffee and then trying to drag in a breath to stop me from choking to death.
“Seriously! What is wrong with you?” I glare at her after finally settling enough to speak, but she just shrugs her shoulder.
“Back to you though, you know that the best way to get over Dean is to get back on the horse…”
“Stop! No more euphemisms about cocks. I get it, I need some sex, you aren’t telling me anything I don’t know. But thinking about meat and horses is not going to help my visuals, I can assure you.” I hold my hand over her mouth to stop her from speaking.
She pushes my hand away. “Oh, so we have visuals. Let me guess, they’re of the stud next door, because I think that’s a great place to start.
And you’re thinking about sneaking out at night after your momma is in bed and throwing rocks at his bedroom window so he lets you in. So high school of you.”
I groan at her, but she doesn’t stop.
“No, no, I’ve got it! You’re going to turn up at his door wearing an overcoat with nothing underneath except lingerie. Yeah, that will work.” Now she’s laughing at her own jokes.
“Just so you know, Landon…” I try to say.
“Landon, oh, on first-name basis already, I like it.” She waves her hand in front of her, gesturing for me to continue.
“Landon is a single dad to two little boys, whose wife passed away a couple of years ago. I’m sure he has enough on his plate without some random neighbor throwing herself at him.
So, not happening, especially now he has seen me looking like this today.
I haven’t even brushed my hair.” I’m so embarrassed, I won’t even be able to look him in the eye the next time I see him.
“At least last night at his house I was dressed more appropriately.” And as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could pull them back in.
“Wait, what!” she screams at me. “Start talking, woman.”