Chapter Eighteen
Allison
I’m lying in bed staring at the peonies next to me, daydreaming about last night, and kinda, maybe wishing Oliver had spent the night. Before he got there, I had set up a goodie box of sweet treats on the coffee table and had assorted sodas chilling in the fridge to have while watching the movie after dinner. We had both picked grape soda, so I made one big cup and added two straws for sharing. I microwaved some popcorn, and we enjoyed all the snacks while we watched Legally Blonde, and he gave commentary on how none of this would actually happen. I had to remind him it’s a rom-com and it’s supposed to be silly. I may have started a tickle fight that ended up with me pinned under his hard body—I did not imagine him being so fit—invoking a frantic make-out session. I almost asked him to stay.
I can’t seem to pry myself out of bed today wishing I was curled up next to Oliver instead of my body pillow. It surprises me that I opened up so quickly with him, but he’s refreshingly different. He’s not demanding. He genuinely cares about what I have to say. He makes everything easy. He even watched Legally Blonde for me. And I could tell he secretly enjoyed it. I sigh and roll onto my back knowing not much is getting done today. I eventually get out of bed and stretch my arms over my head before walking to the kitchen for breakfast. As I’m pouring my coffee there is a sudden commotion in the hallway.
“Hold up! You’re going to hit the wall with the end of that. Pivot! Step up! Now straight back,” I hear hollered outside my apartment door. Sounds like the new tenant is moving in. I peek out the peephole of my door and all I see is the back of a man’s head. As he moves away, I see him carry something very large and very heavy, based on the way he and the other man are lumbering, into the doorway across the hall. There are moving blankets draped over the item, so I can’t see what it is, probably just a dresser or entertainment cabinet. I’m super curious and I run to my closet to throw on some running gear that I got to sample when I worked on an athleisure site. My apartment overlooks the alley in the back of the building, so I can’t see the moving van. I think I’ll go stretch a bit out front to see what I can find out.
I peek through the open door of the apartment across the hall to see if the new tenant might be inside as I pull my door shut. No luck. I’m about to turn for the steps and am almost run over by a mover carrying several boxes.
“Pardon me, little lady,” he quips as he passes.
“No problem, sir. Have a good day,” I call over my shoulder as I bound down the stairs to the front stoop, narrowly avoiding being run over by the next load. I move to the side and bend at my waist to start stretching the backs of my legs.
As I’m snooping upside down through my legs, I notice most items have been unloaded and look around for the owner, but only see the men in gray overalls stacking boxes to take upstairs.
“Well now, that’s a view I don’t mind seeing first thing in the morning.” Oliver’s voice jolts me to a standing position, and I whirl around to face him.
“Oliver! What are you doing here?”
“I’m moving in, baby!”
“What?” I know I wanted him to stay over last night, but do I want him living across the hall from me? I can feel my face contorting with different emotions.
“I’m just kidding, don’t freak out.” He holds out his hands. “I’m not moving in, my brother is. When I left your apartment a few weeks ago, I ran into the realtor and asked to see the place. It’s a perfect setup for him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to say anything until it was all done. I was coming to see you but then got sidetracked when I saw a very cute butt up in the air. You know you really shouldn’t go waving that around in just anyone’s direction.” He laughs.
“I was trying to be sneaky, make it look like I was stretching.”
“Oh, I see. A yoga detective, now that’s an interesting idea.”
“You write true crime, not cozy mysteries. I’m not sure that will work.”
“Oh, there are all kinds of characters you can write in to move the story along, she could be a witness.” He winks. “It’s getting chilly out here, do you want to grab some coffee? We’re all done here for the moment. I’ll start setting things up when we get back.”
“Okay, that sounds great. You can tell me more about your brother. Who did you say was cuter?” I jest.
“I am, now let’s go.” Oliver gives me a quick peck on the lips, and we walk to Joe’s hand-in-hand.