I head downstairs and flip on the news, catching the forecast before it ends. Sure enough, there’s a big front moving in, and the weatherman is predicting several inches of ice accumulation. It’s been years since we’ve gotten a storm like that, but I remember one once when Amy and I were little. Our wholeneighborhood lost power. We had to stay with our grandparents for a week.
“Well, crap.” I sigh. “I guess we’re not going.”
“Yeah. It’s supposed to be bad, Noelle. Do you want to come to stay with us? You might get stuck in that house alone since I’m sure the snow emergency level is going to be a 3.”
It would be fun, but honestly, I had deadlines and plenty of food, water, and other supplies if the power goes out. “I think I’ll use this time to get some work done. Thanks for the offer, though.”
Ainsley is whining in the background until my sister turns on Frozen and promises hot cocoa.
“Let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will,” I promise.
After we end the call, I tug off my boots and change into warmer, comfier clothes. If the power goes out, I want to be sure I won’t freeze. I have my fireplace and plenty of fresh wood stacked outside in my sunroom. The three-season room was one of the features that prompted me to put an offer in on this house a few years ago. I love the natural light and airy feel it gives, and if I get cold, I’ve got a space heater out there. The décor is beautiful with wicker furniture, several artificial plants, and a gaming table where I like to entertain friends or family.
I’m halfway through an intense chapter when I hear my doorbell. My sister won’t be coming, so I can’t think of anyone else other than Torque. I clickSaveand then close my laptop, since I’m betting I won’t be writing now that he’s here.
I should have peeked to see who it was before I opened my door. Standing there, looking pissed, is my neighbor Phillip Warner. If he’s paying me a visit, he’s about to go off about some stupid rule for the HOA. “What can I do for you, Mr. Warner?”
“You had a man here yesterday on private property shoveling snow. It’s a violation of the Code of Conduct.”
I stare at him, blinking, because this sounds stupid.
“Well? Don’t you have anything to say?”
I do. He’s not going to like it. “I’ll be contacting the board and filing an official complaint for harassment.”
He huffs. “I saw him. He isn’t the type of person we want hanging around our neighborhood.”
“Oh? Do you speak for the entire board, and everyone included in the HOA?” I’m getting pissed, which thankfully is helping ward off the chill from talking to this man while it’s freezing outside.
He stammers for a response when I take a step in his direction. “That’s my boyfriend, and he’s allowed to come over, ride his motorcycle, and shovel my driveway whenever he wants. If you have a problem, take it up with the HOA. Get off my property. You’re not welcome here.”
He’s so shocked his mouth pops open. After trying to come up with a response and failing, he stomps his foot and rushes back to his yard, finally leaving me in peace.
I shake my head as I shut the door, reaching for a long cardigan to wrap around me now that I’m cold. It’s the perfect reason to make a pot of hot cocoa, and I have it ready within minutes. I fill my mug and sit in the living room, adding a few extra logs to the fire.
That’s when I hear a truck’s engine.
Torque is here. I jump up and set my mug on the coffee table, opening the door just as he walks up to the steps. I breathe as I take him in, admiring the way his muscles bulge in his arms as he carries several paper bags full of groceries.
“Hey, darlin’. Thought I should stock you up with the storm comin’.”
“That’s very thoughtful. Thanks.” I let him in and shut the door behind him. The temperature has already dropped a fewdegrees, and I follow him into my kitchen as Torque sets the bags on my counter.
Torque begins taking out items and placing them on the countertop. There are canned goods and condiments. Like, a lot of them.
“Um, why did you bring over mustard, mayo, and ketchup?” I’m so confused.
He smirks. “I noticed all the baby condiments in your fridge when you made hot cocoa.”
Baby condiments? “Hey, I don’t use a lot of that stuff. Why buy big bottles and waste them?”
He grasps my chin and lowers his head, brushing his lips over mine. “Well, I plan to stop over more, and I use a lot. Thought I’d save you the trouble and expense.”
“Interesting.”
His lips twitch. “Maybe I can’t stand the thought of you having to use store packets and baby condiments when you eat.”
