Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Shyla
I didn’t care that I might’ve had one too many margaritas or that I nearly fell into a bush on the short walk over to my next-door neighbor’s house.
The guy looked like he needed some fun in his life and lucky for him, I was just the right person to supply it. It was my job after all, as an event planner, I planned fun all the time.
What a perfect time to invite him over while having my housewarming party, and then he’d see where the real fun was at.
Since seeing him on his back porch, he sparked my interest. The grumpy face, the less than two words grumble, the hard stance with tight arms across his chest, and the sexiest body a man could have. How could I not be intrigued?
Besides, I loved being around people. Whether for my job, or my social life, the more people vibing around me, the better. I could crack a shy person and bring them out of their shell. His standoffish demeanor only pulled me in deeper.
I stepped onto his porch and swayed slightly to the right, catching myself with one hand on his cabin. Shoot, how many margaritas did I have?
Pressing the doorbell, I did my best to hold steady in place though the cabin swam in front of me and I still clutched on for dear life.
The door opened.
Holy fuck, he was even hotter up close.
His eyes were a chocolate brown and his hair even darker, his skin an olive color, and a full, sexy beard completed his look.
A handsome face to go with his sexy body, one more defined than I could’ve imagined.
His tight t-shirt outlined his muscles, and I imagined the drool worthy six pack underneath and his sweatpants…
holy shit…my cheeks flamed hot when I glanced down and I quickly looked away as if I’d been caught red handed.
But the man only glared at me, not saying a single word.
“Hi! I’m Shyla.” I plastered on a big smile.
“I came to invite you over to my housewarming party. Or anyone at your house, really. I mean, if you don’t live alone.
Everyone’s invited! I’ve got drinks and food, and I’d love to meet my neighbors more.
” I babbled, while swaying a bit from side to side. Shit, keep it steady, Shy.
I could’ve sworn I saw a hint of a smile cross his face, but it was gone so quickly, him back to his resting grumpy face.
“No thanks. I’m good.”
“Aw, what about the rest of your family? Anyone else in there?” I tried peeking around him, but he was solid and massive, taking up the whole door frame.
He looked more annoyed and my buzz took a dive.
“It’s only me and I’m not interested in a party. Thanks.” He began closing the door.
I shoved my hand out in protest, stopping him from shutting it completely. “At least come over and have a drink? Or a plate of food?”
He shook his head and closed the door.
I stood there staring at it. I couldn’t believe he closed it on me. How rude.
I debated knocking again but then decided this was killing my buzz. He could be grumpy all he wanted. I wasn’t letting him spoil my fun.
The next morning, I woke up early and cleaned the rest of the mess left from last night’s party. With my Bluetooth speaker connected and an iced coffee nearby, I danced my way through my chores and soon the cabin looked clean again.
I wasn’t sure when I first came to look at the place. While I was only renting, it wasn’t in good shape, as it was outdated and run down, but the owner promised me cheap rent and said I could repaint and redecorate however I wanted as long as I didn’t tear down any of the structure.
Plus, it was on a dead-end street with only one neighbor. A quiet guy, the landlord said, a guy who kept to himself.
A guy I couldn’t stop thinking about since I laid eyes on him.
I had hoped all evening he would stop by after a change of heart, but his cabin went dark by ten, all hopes dashed.
What bugged me the most was why I couldn’t get him out of my head. What was it about him that made me want to know more?
Maybe the simple fact that he’s hot as hell…
Ah well, it didn’t matter. I had other things in my life to focus on. Like launching my new online shop next week, full of my custom party planning supplies. I also wanted to explore the small town and hand out some business cards, let people know I was in the area.
It was a big move from the city, a place that kept me constantly busy, but I wanted to slow down, expand my online presence, and figure out my plans long term.
I wasn’t getting any younger, and I wanted a family soon.
I didn’t want to have my kids in my forties, but maybe within the next five years.
It sounded crazy out loud, but time flew.
After finishing around the cabin, I refilled my coffee and grabbed my planner, sitting on my back patio with it.
I cracked it open and looked over the rest of my week and into the weekend.
My planner was my everything, from appointments to events to a scribble pad to a journal, I used the thing every day and took it everywhere with me. I’d be lost without it.
But today…today it didn’t hold my attention.
I snuck glances out of the corner of my eye to the next-door neighbor’s raised back porch, hoping he’d appear and I could say hi and coax him out of that shell of his, inch by inch.
Leave the guy alone, Shy. He doesn’t want to socialize.
But I couldn’t. Something inside me screamed to get closer, to get to know him, to figure him out.
Several minutes passed before I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I turned slightly, not enough to visibly notice, confirming what I saw was him. He sat at the patio table, his laptop in front of him, the same as yesterday.
A smile played on my lips. Maybe he’d be nice today.
I stood up and walked over to the fence separating our yards. “Good morning!” I called up to him.
He looked down at me, but his grumpy face didn’t change. All I got was a curt nod.
Looked like I needed to take a hint. He didn’t want to be friendly, or neighborly, or whatever I wanted to call it, and I’d have to deal.
But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t kill him with kindness.
“Hope you have a good day!” I waved.
He didn’t even look my way.
So he might be a little difficult. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t figure him out, eventually. I had a way. He just hadn’t seen it yet.