Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Shyla
Ha. My plan worked.
Underneath all that grump, there was a nice guy hiding. I just had to bring it out.
And what a brilliant plan to leave my planner behind in hopes he’d be nice enough to return it. My hunch was right.
Now he was coming for dinner, just like I wanted. Was it so bad to want to get to know my neighbor?
Okay, so maybe I had the tiniest of crushes on him. But he obviously wasn’t interested in me, or he would’ve accepted any of my several invites a lot sooner.
I spent the rest of my morning working and then headed into town to pick up all the fresh lobster and crab legs I could find. I also grabbed butter, lemon, garlic, and potatoes to roast with fresh asparagus.
When I got home, I unloaded all the groceries and got to work prepping.
After I straightened up the place, set out fresh flowers, and lit a candle, I got myself ready.
A shower and light touch of makeup did the trick with a flowy loose skirt and tank top for my outfit.
I pulled my hair into a half up half down style and added some chunky earrings and a dangling necklace.
I don’t think I’d ever spent that much time thinking of an outfit before. But I wanted to look good. And not just regular good. Like really good.
Briggs was sexy as sin, and I wanted a piece of him. A lot more than a piece, really.
I wanted to crack him open and explore inside, see what makes him tick, why he seems to be a grumpy loner, and if he liked not being around others. Since I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it, it intrigued me.
About an hour before six, I slid on my apron and started cooking. The time flew and before I knew it, there was a knock on the door. Perfect timing. Everything was just about done.
I opened the door and was instantly hit with a strong whiff of cologne, smoky and woody, with a hint of spice.
My baby making hormones doubled and I swear my nipples peaked.
He looked so fine all cleaned up, with a neatly trimmed beard and his hair combed, a polo shirt and khaki shorts his apparel of choice.
“Hi,” I gushed, my body growing warmer. “Come in. I was just finishing up.” I stepped back and waved him in, appreciating the scent filling my nostrils as I checked out his backside.
What a sexy, sexy man.
And he was in my cabin. Finally.
I walked Briggs through the small cabin and into my kitchen as he looked around. “I know it’s still not in the best shape, but it’s a work in progress, it’s livable, and the rent is cheap.”
“It doesn’t look bad. Definitely livable. I’d always wondered what it looked like in here.” Briggs said.
It was more than he said to me since meeting him. I enjoyed hearing his voice.
“Have you lived here long?” I asked as I brought him to the table where I set the plates earlier. “And what would you like to drink? Water? Wine? Beer?”
“Water is good, thanks.” Briggs replied as he sat down. “I moved here about five years ago. Place has been empty the entire time.”
“Yeah, the guy who rented to me said something about the estate getting caught up in legal drama. It took a while before he got the clear to rent it out.” I walked over to the fridge and pulled out my pitcher of ice-cold water before filling both our glasses at the table.
I set the pitcher down on the counter and began grabbing the plates of food.
“Can I help you with anything?” Briggs asked
“No, I’ve got it, thanks. I’m just glad you came for dinner.”
“You wanted to meet me that much, hm?” A half grin turned up on his face. Wow, so the man could joke.
I sat across from him and offered him a dish, both of us serving ourselves. “Sure did. I love getting to know people. Since we live next door, why not? Never know when one of us might need the other.”
“Let me guess- did you move here from the city?”
I laughed. “How’d you know?”
“I figured. In small towns, sure everyone might know of everyone, but that doesn’t mean we know each other. I’ve lived on this street by myself all these years. Hardly know a soul around.”
“And you don’t miss socializing?”
He shook his head as he cracked open the crab leg and pulled the meat out. He dipped in the butter sauce and popped it in his mouth. I couldn’t tear my eyes off his mouth, the way he ate, his tongue licking his buttery lips.
Fuck it was turning me on.
“I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now. I’m a loner. I like it that way.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” I teased. “But hey, to each is own. If you’re happy, then you do you.”
Briggs stopped chewing and focused on me for a moment. And then he said something I hadn’t expected. “Thank you.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“For understanding. For accepting. Most people, when they don’t understand something, they judge it.”
“I would never. I had a teacher in elementary school once tell me you never really know what someone has going on in their life. We shouldn’t judge but offer kindness.
It just may be the thing that gets them through to see another day.
It stuck with me ever since I was a little girl.
” I popped a piece of lobster into my mouth.
The buttery flavor mixed with the lemon and garlic was delicious.
“Smart teacher. I haven’t had the kindest path in life, so sometimes it’s easier just to check out.” Briggs said, and my heart picked up speed. It felt like a confession, but I didn’t want to ask more in case he clammed up.
“It can be a lot easier to check out. Believe it or not, even us social butterflies need a break. Some days, I refuse to open my planner.”
Briggs chuckled.
Yes! Finally! A laugh!
“That book seemed pretty damn important. I’d make a bet you check it every day.”
My cheeks flamed red. “Okay fine, I’ll confess. I check every day. Sometimes just a tiny peek.”
Briggs smiled, and I wanted to take a picture. The grumpy man smiled! He really did! Not only that, but God was he handsome. A handsome smile I could stare at for the rest of my life.
I watched him for a moment too long and he caught me. “Dinner is great, thank you,” he said with a knowing grin.
I wanted to kiss him. So badly.
But I couldn’t make the first move. I only just got the guy smiling.
So I hoped and prayed he would. Because deep down inside, I was ignoring the truth.
I was falling hard for the man and there was no way to stop it.