I make the call to order the food, and since it will be another twenty to thirty minutes before it arrives, I convince Angela to help me continue setting up my bedroom. That way, I’ll at least have a comfortable setting to sleep in tonight amidst all of the chaos of my living room, dining area, and kitchen.
“Why do you still have this?” Angela questions, holding up a framed photo of Matthew and I. The picture is about five years old but it was one of my favorites of he and I.
“I forgot I still had that.” I reach for the frame, but Angela moves it just out of my reach.
“Uh uh,” she tuts, shaking her head. “You better not be posting this photo up in your bedroom.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s the last thing on my mind.” Snatching the frame from her, I turn it over to undo the snaps holding the picture in place. I remove the photo, flipping it over to look at it for a few seconds. I stare into my brown eyes that were so smitten as they stared at the man next to me. Matthew had his arm draped around my shoulders, staring straight ahead, winking at the camera.
I snort and shake my head, tearing the photo in half and tossing the remnants into the large trash bag we’ve been using to dispose of useless items and garbage.
“Oh thank god!”
I give Angela a teasing look.
“I was nervous that photo actually still meant something to you.”
“The past is the past.” Besides, I haven’t thought about Matt one time since I arrived in Williamsport. There is still another man that is heavy on my mind, however. But I haven’t told Angela about Emanuel.
“You know, there are a lot of single guys down at the station.”
I jut my head back in surprise. “Station?”
“Yeah, Rescue Four. Let’s see, there’s Don, you met him at the wedding. If it were a few months ago I would’ve totally tried to hook you up with Carter but he’s engaged now.” She frowns as she taps her chin with her finger, thinking. “Oh!” She snaps her fingers. “There’s—”
“Saved by the bell!” I declare as the buzzer to my apartment rings. I quickly exit my bedroom, running to the intercom by the front door. “Yes?”
“DeMaggio’s Pizza delivery for Janine.”
“Thank you.” I buzz the delivery guy up, and then head to grab my wallet out of my purse in the kitchen, pulling out the money for our late lunch. My stomach growls as soon as the knock sounds at my door as if it just knows food is on the other side.
“Janine?” the delivery guy questions.
“That’s me.” I hand him the money for the food plus tip. “No change needed,” I tell him as he begins rooting around in his pocket for money.
“Thanks.” He nods, tips the red hat with the Demaggio logo of a pizza on it, and heads back down the hallway.
Just as I start to turn back into my apartment, I hear the door across the hall opening. I paste a smile on my face, hoping to meet my new neighbor for the first time. I look up as a tall figure emerges and an electrified feeling begins in the very tips of my toes.
His back is to me as he pulls his door shut.
I swallow as I take in his muscular frame, but it’s the tribal tattoo that traces along the thick tricep and bicep muscles that has me nearly swallowing my tongue. I’m frozen in place, as I’m thrown back in time, to a week ago as I watched Emanuel shut the door of his hotel room.
“Impossible,” I whisper, suddenly catching his attention.
He glances over his shoulder and then does a double take, his honey eyes doubling in size. He turns fully to stare at me, taking me in from head to toe.
“You’re here.” His voice is filled with an enthralled enthusiasm that has my belly performing somersaults. “How the hell are you standing here?”
I blink and point at the number on my door. Turning back to Emanuel, I say, “I-I live here.”
Again his handsome, perfect face is overcome by shock. His gaze lifts to peer at the number behind me, before his eyes fall back to my face.
“You live here, in Williamsport? In my building?”
I swallow and just stare because I have no idea what to say. I’m just as taken by surprise as he is.
“Janine, is that the food?” Angela’s voice sings behind me as she pulls the door wider. “Emanuel?” she greets happily. “Great, food’s here!”
