10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
A ntonio
After our encounter in the park, I found myself returning to my studio apartment, eager to see Kendra again. I wanted to recapture the spark that had ignited between us, to explore the connection that had left us both breathless.
She had left in a hurry after the call she’d received. I tried to offer her a ride home, but before I could say anything, she was already jogging out of the garden. I understood why she wanted to put some distance between us… and I knew the wise thing would’ve been to do the same. I wanted to talk about what had happened earlier but I realized it might be better if we both slept on it.
The next day, I stood outside her door, my hand hovering over the knocker for a moment too long. Finally, I knocked twice. I waited, but there was no response.
Then I rang the doorbell. The door creaked open seconds later, revealing Kendra. Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. We just stood there, staring.
I couldn’t help it. Every time she blinked, it was like a quiet pause before the light returned, making my breath catch in my throat. The air between us felt charged, as though the spark from the park had followed us back home.
"Antonio," she said softly, her voice wrapping around my name in a way that felt intimate.
"Kendra," I replied, clearing my throat. "I wanted to talk about yesterday. In the park."
She hesitated, then stepped aside, allowing me to enter. As I passed by her, I caught the scent of vanilla, mixed with something floral—maybe jasmine or lavender. It reminded me of how she smelled at the park… when I held her.
Her apartment was cozy, filled with warm, personal touches—nothing like mine. I noticed the soft pillows, the pictures on the wall, and the vase of wildflowers on the coffee table.
"I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon," Kendra said, folding her arms across her chest. Her expression was guarded, but I saw a flicker of something beneath it.
"I couldn’t help myself," I admitted, leaning forward slightly. "I wanted to talk about what happened in the park."
Kendra raised an eyebrow. "What happened in the park?" She asked, pretending to be aloof. But I could tell it was just a ruse. There was no way she didn’t feel what I did.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "There was… a moment of connection, Kendra. And I can’t stop thinking about it."
Kendra turned away, staring out the window. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, Antonio."
Frustration surged, but I tried to stay calm. "Don’t play dumb, Kendra. I know what I saw in the park. I know what I felt."
Kendra shrugged, her eyes still fixed on the window. "I was having a bad day, okay? You just happened to be there, and I already thanked you for your time. That’s all."
I stepped closer, my voice barely above a whisper. "That’s not all, Kendra. We both know it."
She turned to face me, her expression guarded. She exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair. The movement was absent-minded, but it drew my gaze like a magnet, holding me captive. "I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Antonio. But I assure you, there was nothing."
The sight of her touching her hair stirred something inside me—something beyond attraction. I found myself wanting to reach out, to feel those strands between my fingers. But I turned my focus to the conversation.
I took another step closer, my eyes locked on hers. "Don’t lie to me, Kendra. I saw the way you looked at me. I felt the way you responded to me."
Kendra’s expression turned icy. "You’re imagining things, Antonio. I was down, and you gave me a hug that was comforting in the moment. When I thanked you, I was just being polite.
And right now, I have to warn you… that politeness is wearing off. So unless you want a fight, you’ll back off."
I laughed, a low, husky sound, ignoring her attempt at a threat. "Polite? You call that polite? I call it attraction, Kendra. And I know you felt it too."
Kendra’s eyes darted around, searching for an escape. But I had her cornered. "Fine," she spat, her voice laced with anger. "Maybe I did feel something. But it meant nothing. It was just a momentary lapse of judgment."
I smiled, slow and mischievous. "A momentary lapse of judgment? That was a pretty long lapse, Kendra."
I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted her to admit she felt something too. It was strange, but somehow it was the most natural thing in the world for me to express my feelings to her.
Her face twisted in a snarl, her teeth bared. "Get out," she spat.
But I stood my ground. "Kendra, I’m not—"
"Get out of my apartment before I call the police," she snapped.
I smiled again, this time sadder. "Okay, Kendra. I’ll leave. But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot."
As I turned to leave, I could feel her eyes on me, boring into my back. I knew I had gotten under her skin, both in a good and bad way. I was brimming with an excitement I didn’t fully understand. But I also knew I didn’t want to make things harder for myself.
We had already bickered enough for a lifetime, and I wasn’t looking forward to more of that. Just as I reached the door, I turned back, my eyes locking onto hers. "Kendra…"
"What?!" she snapped, getting out her phone to make good on her threat.
"Wait, wait!" I raised my hands in surrender. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you like that. I was wrong."
Her expression softened slightly as she looked up from her phone, her guard dropping for a moment. "What are you apologizing for, Antonio?"
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I’m apologizing for not respecting your boundaries. I was wrong to push anything on you."
Kendra raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "You think an apology will fix this?"
I shook my head. "No, I don’t. But I’m hoping it’s a start.
Can we call a truce, Kendra?
Can we start over?"
"Why?"
"How about because we’re neighbors? And the good book says to be at peace with everyone."
Kendra studied me for a moment, her eyes searching mine. Then, to my surprise, she nodded. "Okay, Antonio. Truce."
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "Thanks, Kendra. I promise I’ll respect your boundaries from now on."
Kendra nodded, her expression serious. "Good. Because I need to make something clear to you, Antonio. I’m not looking for a relationship. I just want to be neighbors."
I grinned. "Right, just neighbors."
Kendra nodded firmly. "Yes, just neighbors. I don’t have time for anything else, and I don’t want to complicate things between us."
I studied her for a moment, trying to read between the lines. I didn’t buy it—there was something more. But I didn’t push it. Not now. "Shake on it?"
She hesitated, but then took my hand, a small smile playing on her lips. "Of course. I’m glad we understand each other."
I smiled, my eyes locked on hers as we shook hands. "Me too, Kendra. Me too." I released her hand and stepped back. "Thanks for understanding, Kendra," I said, turning to leave. "I’ll catch you later, neighbor."
She didn’t respond. She just watched as I walked out, closing the door behind me. I knew, in my bones, that Kendra and I wouldn’t be just "neighbors." And that thought scared me more than I cared to admit.
I quickly unlocked my door and stepped inside. The moment I was in my apartment, I pulled out my phone and dialed Jake’s number. He answered on the first ring.
"Hey, man! What’s up? Are you good? I’ve been watching the news," Jake asked.
"Actually, I’m not," I admitted. "But it has nothing to do with the company. It’s something much, much bigger."
"Bigger than Bellavista Winery?"
"Yes, Jake." I was stalling, unsure how to tell him what I needed to say. I knew he would gloat about being right, but there was no one else to talk to. And even though he rarely took things seriously, I knew he gave good advice.
"Okay, shoot. I’m listening," Jake said, his tone serious.
I took a deep breath, my heart racing. "I need to confess something to you."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "What is it, Antonio? You’re starting to scare me."
I laughed nervously. "I think I might be in trouble, Jake."
"What kind of trouble?"
I hesitated, unsure how to put my feelings into words.
"I think I might be falling for Kendra."