2. Two
Two
Luke
I’m running late to Sam and Emily’s, as usual. The sun’s setting over Jacksonville Beach as I pull into their gravel drive, casting everything in that golden Florida light. The house smells amazing before I even get through the door—something savory and rich that makes my stomach growl.
“Look who finally showed up,” Vince calls out from his spot on the couch, barely glancing up from his phone. Typical Vince, who is probably griping again about some social media drama .
“Traffic,” I lie, grinning as I make my way to the kitchen where everyone’s gathered. The truth is I lost track of time working on a new arrangement, but they’re used to that by now.
Emily’s at the island, organizing what looks like a spread fit for royalty. “Luke! Perfect timing—everything’s ready.”
Cass and Kendrick are there with their daughter Cassidy, who’s grown a few inches since I last saw her. Sam’s manning the grill outside through the sliding glass doors, and Nate’s helping him, both of them laughing about something.
But what catches my attention are the appetizers laid out on the counter. “Holy shit, Emily. Did you take a cooking class or something?”
She laughs. “Not me. Just wait until you try them.”
I don’t need to be told twice. I snag what looks like a stuffed mushroom and pop it in my mouth. The flavor hits me like a chord progression—layers of herbs, cheese, and something else I can’t quite place but tastes amazing.
“Damn! Who made these? I think I’m in love,” I declare, reaching for another one.
I hear a soft laugh. “I’m glad you like them.”
The voice comes from behind me, soft and pleased, with just a hint of a Southern drawl. I turn around, and suddenly I’m not thinking about food anymore.
She’s tiny, probably a foot shorter than me, but curves for days in a sundress that hugs everything just right. Blonde hair falls in waves past her shoulders, and her brown hazel eyes meet mine briefly before dropping away, a pretty blush spreading across her cheeks. She’s holding a tray of something that smells incredible, but I can’t take my eyes off her face.
“I, uh...” Smooth, Luke. Real smooth. I clear my throat and try again. “Did you make these?”
“I did,” she says softly, setting down her tray and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m Lila.”
“Luke,” I manage, watching as she moves around the kitchen with the confidence of someone who knows their way around, even though she seems nervous about meeting my eyes directly. “These are delicious.”
“Thanks.” She sneaks another glance at me, her blush deepening before she busies herself with arranging things on the counter. “Though usually, the guy wants to get to know me before he declares his love. ”
Despite her shy demeanor, there’s a hint of playfulness in her voice that makes me want to hear more.
“Fair enough,” I say, finding my footing. “How about I start by trying everything else you made? You know, for research purposes.”
She laughs softly, ducking her head in a way that’s absolutely adorable. “Research purposes?”
“Absolutely. Very serious business.” I grab another appetizer, trying to catch her eye. When I do, she holds my gaze for just a second before looking away, but that brief moment of connection sends a sizzle of attraction coursing through me.
“So, you’re the Wild Band’s keyboard player?” she asks, pulling out more food from the oven. Her voice wavers slightly, like she’s trying to sound casual but isn’t quite managing it.
“Guilty as charged. You a fan of the band?”
She straightens up, rearranging a few of the appetizers. “I know most of your music. Sam was actually in my high school class back in Ocala.”
I notice how she keeps sneaking quick glances when she thinks I’m not looking, each one accompanied by that becoming blush. It’s endearing as hell and completely different from the usual confident women who approach me at shows and the kind of company I’ve been keeping lately.
“Small world,” I say, leaning against the counter. “And now you’re here making the best food I’ve ever tasted. How’d that happen?”
“Long story,” she says, but before she can continue, Emily calls her over to help with something. She seems almost relieved for the excuse to step away, though I don’t miss the way she glances back at me over her shoulder as she goes.
I watch her work, fascinated by the contrast between her shy demeanor around me and her absolute confidence in the kitchen. When she’s focused on cooking or plating, all that nervousness disappears, replaced by sure movements and careful attention to detail.
Reluctantly turning away, I step out onto the deck, where the salty breeze carries the mouthwatering scent of whatever Sam’s grilling. Nate’s lounging in one of the Adirondack chairs while Sam flips burgers with the expertise of someone who’s hosted too many band cookouts to count.
“Those mushroom things,” I say, accepting a beer from Nate. “Best thing I’ve ever tasted. ”
Sam grins knowingly. “Just wait till you try Lila’s other stuff. The girl’s got talent.”
The sliding glass door opens behind us, and Lila steps out carrying a platter. “Emily wanted me to bring out the vegetables,” she says softly, not quite meeting my eyes as she hands it to Sam. The setting sun catches her hair, turning it to burnished gold, and when she passes by me, I catch the faintest hint of citrus and something floral. Then she’s gone, disappearing back inside, the door clicking shut behind her.
I watch her walk away, unable to help myself. There’s something about her—beyond the obvious attraction—that pulls at me. Maybe it’s the way she moves with such purpose, or how her eyes crinkle when she smiles, or...
“Dude, you’re staring,” Nate says, appearing beside me with a knowing smirk.
“Am not.” But I am, and we both know it.
“She’s cute,” he observes, grabbing a beer from the cooler.
“She’s gorgeous,” I correct without thinking, then catch his amused expression. “Shut up.”
“Didn’t say anything.” He takes a sip of his beer, still smirking. “But you might want to close your mouth before you catch flies.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help tracking Lila’s movements as she helps Emily set up the rest of the food. She’s talking with Cassidy now, laughing at something the young girl said, and the sound carries across the space.
When she catches me watching her this time through the glass, her cheeks flush pink again. But there’s a small smile playing on her lips before she quickly looks away. She might be shy, but that smile tells me she’s not entirely unaffected by whatever this is between us.
Yeah, I’m definitely in trouble.
I’m still thinking about her the next morning as I pour myself a bowl of Frosted Flakes. Lila. Even her name is stuck in my head like a melody I can’t shake. After she’d brought out those vegetables in a marinade, she’d spent the rest of the night in the kitchen or surrounded by the others. I hadn’t managed to get more than a few glances at that shy smile that haunted my dreams.
I should’ve found out more about her. Should’ve at least tried to talk to her more, even knowing that I shouldn’t.. .
The sound of a car door slamming next door pulls me from my thoughts. Great. Moving day. I take my cereal to the kitchen window, curious about who Emily found to rent the other half of the duplex this time. The last tenant was some wannabe musician crew member who would play loud music every minute and tried to get me to collaborate with him on his music.
An old car that’s seen better days is parked in the driveway, stuffed to the brim with boxes and what looks like kitchen equipment. Emily’s there, directing, as usual, someone I can’t quite see. Sam’s carrying boxes inside, and—is that Vince helping? Since when does Vince help anyone move?
I spoon another mouthful of increasingly soggy cereal into my mouth, watching the scene unfold. Whoever this new neighbor is, Boss Lady’s got the whole band involved. Even Nate’s there, carefully handling what appears to be a box marked ‘FRAGILE’ in bold letters.
A familiar laugh drifts through my window, and I freeze, milk dripping from my spoon back into the bowl. No way. It couldn’t be...
But then she steps into view, and my heart does this weird stuttering thing in my chest. Lila. She’s wearing cutoff shorts and a loose t-shirt, her blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun, and somehow, she looks even better than she did last night.
She’s my new next door neighbor.
The realization hits me like a train. Those sneaky bastards—no wonder Emily and Sam were exchanging looks all night. No wonder they kept interrupting whenever I tried to get Lila alone. I thought it was because…
I set my bowl down, suddenly very aware that I’m standing in my kitchen in nothing but sweatpants, watching through the window like some creep. I should go out there. Help them move. But first, I need to put on a shirt. And maybe brush my teeth. And—
A knock at my door makes me jump. “Luke?” Emily’s voice calls out. “I know you’re in there. I see your jeep.”
Shit. I grab a t-shirt from the clean laundry I haven’t put away yet and pull it on as I head for the door. When I open it, Emily’s standing there with that cat-that-ate-the-canary grin I know too well.
“Come say good morning to your new neighbor,” she says sweetly .
“You could have mentioned this last night, Boss Lady,” I tell her, trying to sound annoyed but probably failing miserably.
“And miss the look on your face right now? Never.” She pats my chest. “Now, come help us move your future girlfriend in.”
“Emily—you know I—“
“I saw how you were looking at her last night. And how she was looking at you when she thought no one would notice.” She raises an eyebrow. “Consider this my gift to you both. Now get your ass out here and carry some boxes.”
I follow her outside, where Lila’s trying to wrestle a box from her car’s backseat. When she sees me, she freezes, that pretty blush I remember from last night spreading across her cheeks.
“You live here?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nod, moving to help her with the box. “Looks like we’re neighbors.”
Our fingers brush as I take the box from her, and I swear I feel it all the way down to my toes. She quickly pulls her hand back, wiping a loose strand of hair off her face and tucking it behind her ear .
“Emily didn’t mention that,” she says, shooting a look at our mutual friend, who’s suddenly very interested in something on her phone.
“Yeah, funny how she left that part out.” I adjust my grip on the box, which is heavier than it looks. “Kitchen stuff?”
She nods. “My knives and spices. They’re important to me. My tools of the trade.”
“The tools that created those mushrooms last night? These deserve VIP treatment.” I carefully carry the box toward her door, very aware of her following behind me. “I’ll guard them with my life.”
Her soft laugh makes me smile. “They’re just regular chef knives.”
“Nothing regular about what you do with them.” I set the box down where she directs me, in her kitchen, which mirrors mine but somehow already looks warmer and more inviting.
“I could, um...” She hesitates, that blush deepening. “I could cook for you sometime. To thank you for helping with the move.”
Is she flirting with me? No, probably just being polite. But still...
“Only if you let me help,” I say. “Seems only fair.”
She looks up at me through those lashes, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. “Deal.”
Someone clears their throat from the doorway—Vince, holding another box. “If you two are done chit-chatting, there’s still half a car to unload.”
Lila’s blush reaches nuclear levels as she hurries past me to grab another box. I watch her go, already knowing my life just got a lot more interesting.
And a lot more complicated.
Because my new neighbor isn’t just any chef; she’s the shy, beautiful woman I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since last night. The one who blushes every time I look at her but still manages to make my heart race with just a glance.
Emily’s right about one thing—I’m in trouble. But as I watch Lila direct traffic in her new kitchen, sneaking glances at me when she thinks I’m not looking, I realize I don’t mind at all.