Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Zane
“That’s enough, Sven.”
I growl into my pillow, pulling the covers over my head.
I’m not ready to get up and start the workday.
I drift off for five blissful seconds before Sven decides that’s enough.
He tugs my comforter off and barks in my face.
I groan as I lift my head from the pillow, which is a big mistake because I’m rewarded with a wet tongue straight to the mouth. Grimacing, I shoo him away.
I shuffle my feet toward the living room as Sven hops excitedly while leading the way.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I tell him as he lets out a loud yelp and paws at the back door.
I guess I can’t be upset with the guy. I’d be ready to go to the bathroom too if I held my bladder all night. Is there a way I could potty train him to use my toilet? Some dogs can do that, right?
As soon as I open the door, he rushes to relieve himself by a large oak tree.
While I wait for my coffee to brew, I look out of the window above my kitchen sink, toward Ashton’s cabin, and see Maxinne sitting on the front porch, wrapped in a green comforter.
I’ve lived next door to Ashton for the past year and never paid much attention to that porch before.
Now my eyes keep drifting toward it. Toward her.
It could be because I accidentally overheard what had to have been one of the worst days of her life.
Or how embarrassed I still am about running into her yesterday.
I guess it was more like her running into me, shirtless and sweaty, possibly smelling like sewage.
It was truly an unforgettable first impression.
Either way, I haven’t quite known what to make of her.
I’d seen pictures of Maxinne before, but none of them prepared me for seeing her in person. The early morning light catches in her dark hair as it spills over one of her shoulders. One of her long legs is tucked beneath her while the other hangs off the chair, bouncing up and down.
She’s astonishingly beautiful.
She takes a sip from her mug and winces.
A chuckle rumbles out of me because I know full well that Ashton’s coffee of choice tastes like motor oil.
I try to focus on preparing my own coffee and NOT continue to stare at my best friend’s sister, but then I see her wipe beneath her eyes, and I realize she’s crying.
The sight sends an uncomfortable ache pressing into my chest. It can’t be easy, dragging yourself through a breakup only to end up hiding out in your brother’s half-forgotten bachelor pad.
I know what it’s like to have someone you trusted rearrange your future without asking what it would cost you.
Heartbreak has a way of making you question everything you thought you knew about yourself.
She doesn’t need another person complicating her life while she’s trying to put the pieces back together.
So whatever this pull is I already feel toward her...it’s going to have to stay my problem, not hers. Which means…whether I like it or not...I need to stay away from Maxinne. The last thing either of us needs is another complicated relationship.
I go to turn back toward the coffee maker, but once I see Sven rushing across the yard, I pause and don’t have time to react as he bolts up the steps and launches himself at Maxinne. I dash through my front door, not even worrying about putting on shoes, and run toward her.
“Ah—” she hisses, rocking back lightly in her chair, hot coffee sloshing dangerously from her mug.
“Sven! What has gotten into you? Bad boy!”
I stop at the bottom of the porch steps and snap my fingers at him. He hangs his head low, walking backward until his backside bumps into the wooden railing.
“He’s fine,” she says quickly, not even glancing at me as she fumbles with the blanket around her shoulders. “The coffee got mostly on the comforter and—”
Her words stop once her eyes land on me, and a blush begins to spread across her cheeks. It’s then that I realize I’m shirtless. Again.
I look down at my bare chest, silently cursing myself for not grabbing a shirt after I rolled out of bed. “I swear I own clothes.”
“Uh-huh,” she says, still blushing as she averts her eyes. “You might actually want to start wearing them.”
“Noted,” I reply, rubbing at my jaw. “Next time Sven assaults you, I’ll make sure to put on a tux.”
That earns me the tiniest laugh before she looks down to not-so-subtly wipe away the evidence of her remaining tears. The silence that lingers is heavy, and for one stupid second, I forget all the reasons I should keep my distance and decide to say something else, to lighten the moment for her.
“I, uh— Look, I’m sorry my dog keeps jumping on you. Let me make it up to you. I know Ashton has the worst taste in coffee. Would you like to come over for a better cup?”
That was not something light, Zane. That was bringing her into your personal space, which is the opposite of keeping a distance. Maybe it’s not only Sven who’s acting out of character.
I run my hands through my hair, internally fighting with myself. Part of me hopes she turns down the offer, and the other part definitely wants her to accept.
She hesitates, her teeth tugging at her full bottom lip, and I distract myself by whistling for Sven.
He trots over obediently and sits at my feet.
I shoot him a glare, and he beams up at me with his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.
I’m starting to suspect this whole thing has been his idea all along.
“I don’t want to be a bother.” She shrugs, pulling the blanket tighter around herself, and peers down at her now half-empty cup.
This is where I should say ’Yes, it will be a bother’ and turn around to retreat into my cabin. But instead, my mouth seems to have a mind of its own this morning. I blame my Southern-hospitality genes and the fact that my mother raised me to be a gentleman.
“I already have some brewing.”
She hesitates for a moment before replying, “I guess that’d be okay. If you really don’t mind. Ash’s coffee is disgusting, and I could really use the caffeine.”
The dark circles under her eyes are evidence of her lack of sleep, and it steals the fight right out of me. She’s had a rough few days; the least I can do is offer her some kindness with that cup of caffeine.
“Come on. Let me treat you to some real coffee,” I add and nod toward my home, waving for her to follow me.
She drops the comforter onto the chair behind her, revealing pajama shorts and a tank top patterned in cartoon-style house plants.
I stare at the succulents in little pots with smiling faces, tiny cacti wearing sunglasses, and a trailing ivy with leaves shaped like hearts, much like the one she was holding onto yesterday. It’s cute and somehow fitting for her.
She glances down like she’s just remembered what she’s wearing, and her blush deepens.
“Nice pajamas,” I comment before I can stop myself.
“At least I’m fully dressed.”
I chuckle. I enjoy her quippy sarcasm.
“I get it. I’ll put on a shirt.”
I lead her inside my cabin, and the space swallows her up instantly.
The high ceilings, wide-planked floors, and the dark-green paint make her seem smaller as she steps into unfamiliar territory.
Her gaze drifts over the stone fireplace, my worn black leather couch, and the shelves stacked with books as curiosity transforms her expression.
“It’s like a bigger version of my brother’s place.”
I hum in agreement as I grab a hoodie off the coat rack and slip it on quickly.
“My grandpa built all three cabins. The big one up on the hill used to be his, but now my mom lives there. By the way, how do you take your coffee?” I ask, reaching for a mug, the rich scent of cinnamon rises with the steam as I fill it.
“Usually only a spoonful of honey and a splash of milk.”
I do as she says and hand the mug to her. She cradles it between both hands and when she takes the first sip, her eyes brighten. It causes a surge of victory to course through me.
“Oh, this is so much better.” A little sigh escapes her as she takes another sip. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I watch her then. The way her shoulders loosen as the warmth from the coffee seeps in, as the steam from the mug reaches toward her face, drawing my attention to her lips.
Before I get caught staring like a creeper, I tear my gaze away and turn back toward the counter, busying myself with my own coffee.
“So…have you had any issues with the toilet?”
Really. That’s the topic I choose to bring up? I want to slap myself.
“Uh, no. Everything’s been working fine.”
“Good. Yeah. That’s…good.” I keep my back to her, accidentally dumping in way too much creamer.
She rescues me by changing the subject. “So, what’s it like working with my brother?”
I turn around and set my mug on the island in front of her.
“Honestly? He’s solid and knows his stuff. Probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known.”
She tilts her head, like she’s trying to decide if I’m only saying that to be polite or if it’s the truth.
It’s both.
“But…” I add, smirking, “he’s also got this habit of treating me like I’m twelve. Half of the time, I expect him to tell me to sit up straight or eat my vegetables.”
Her mouth curves into a grin. “Yeah, that tracks. He’s been the bossy older brother my whole life.”
“It’s good to know I’m not the only one getting the full brunt of it,” I chuckle.
That earns me a real laugh. It’s soft at first then fuller, bubbling out of her loudly. The sound does dangerous things to my heart.
“We’re glad to have him around. Ashton and I might butt heads from time to time, but he’s an amazing coworker and friend.”
She gives me a bright smile that radiates pride for her brother, and it’s nice to see her like this, instead of how I saw her only a few minutes ago, with tears shining against her tanned skin. A vision that still doesn’t quite sit right with me.
“You and Ash seem pretty close,” I add, taking a sip.