Wallbanger(43)

gesturing to him.

We both jumped at the knocking on my door across the hal . The maintenance guy had final y arrived.

“Thanks for the coffee, and the shower, and the pipe rescue,” I said, stretching as I walked toward the door. I nodded at the guy in the hal way

and held up one finger to let him know I’d be right there.

“No problem. It wasn’t the nicest way to wake up, but I suppose I deserved that one.”

“Indeed. But thank you anyway.”

“You’re welcome, and thanks for the bread. It was great. And if another loaf happens to make its way over here, that would be okay.”

“I’l see what I can do. And hey, where’s my sweater?”

“Do you know how expensive those are?”

“Pffft, I want my sweater!” I cried, slapping him in the chest.

“Wel , as it happens, I did bring you something—a sort of thanks-for-kicking-my-door present.”

“I knew it. You can drop it off later.” I walked across the hal to let the guy in. I directed him toward the kitchen and turned back to Simon.

“Friends, huh?”

“Looks that way.”

“I can live with that.” I smiled and closed the door.

As the maintenance guy went about fixing the problem, I wandered to my bedroom to check on Clive. Just as I entered, my phone buzzed. A

text from Simon already? I grinned and flopped down on the bed, snuggling a stil -freaked-out kitty to my side. He began to purr instantly.

You never answered my question…

I felt my skin heat up as I realized what he was referring to. I was suddenly warm and a little tingly, like when your foot fal s asleep, but al over.

And in a good way. Damn, he gave great text.

About whether I’m fucking anyone?

Jesus, you’re crass. But yes, friends can ask that, can’t they?

Yes they can.

So?

You’re kind of a pain in the ass. You know this, right?

Tel me. Don’t get shy on me now.

As it happens, no. I’m not.

I heard a thud from next door, and then a slight but constant banging on the wal .

What the hell are you doing? Is that your head?

You’re kil ing me, Nightie Girl.

As soon as I finished reading, the banging resumed. I laughed out loud as he thumped his head against the wal . I placed my hand on the wal

over my bed where the thumping was concentrated and chuckled again. What a strange morning…





Chapter Ten


I SAT IN MY OFFICE, gazing out the window. I had a list of things to do in front of me—and it wasn’t a smal list either. I needed to run by the Nicholson

house. The renovation was almost complete. The bedroom and bathroom were finished, and just a few details remained. I needed to get some new

sample books from the design center. I had a meeting with a new client Mimi had referred to me, and on top of al that, I had a folder ful of invoices

to go through.

But stil , I gazed out the window. I might have had Simon on the brain. And for good reason. Between the pipe explosions, the head banging,

and the constant texting al day Sunday asking for more zucchini bread, my brain simply could not expunge him. And then last night, he brought out

the big guns: he Glenn Mil er-ed me. He even knocked on the wal to make sure I was listening.

I put my head down on the desk and banged it a few times to see if it helped. It had seemed to help Simon…

That night I went straight to yoga after work and was climbing the stairs to my apartment when I heard a door open from above.

“Caroline?” he cal ed down to me.

I grinned and continued up the stairs. “Yes, Simon?” I cal ed up.

“You’re home late.”

“What, are you watching my door now?” I laughed, rounding the last landing and staring up at him. He was hanging over the railing, hair in his

face.

“Yep. I’m here for the bread. Zucchini me, woman!”

“You’re insane. You know this, right?” I climbed the last stair and stood in front of him.

“I’ve been told. You smel nice,” he said, leaning in.

“Did you just sniff me?” I asked incredulously as I opened the door.

“Mmm-hmm, very nice. Just get back from a workout?” he asked, walking in behind me and closing the door.

“Yoga, why?”

“You smel great when you’re al worked up,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at me like the devil.

“Seriously, you pick women up with lines like that?” I turned away from him to take off my jacket and squeeze my thighs together maniacal y.

“It’s not a line. You do smel great,” I heard him say, and I closed my eyes to block out the Simon Voodoo currently making Lower Caroline curl

in on herself.

Clive came bounding out of the bedroom when he heard my voice and stopped short when he saw Simon. Unfortunately, he had little traction