She was dressed in an olive green top which set off her tanned skin and dark brown hair. Tight jeans rolled up a few inches and yellow flip flops decorated her lower half. The cheap flip flops squeaked as her antsy feet bounced all around. The sound was annoying. I wondered if anyone else noticed it.
As I watched her flip flops tap against her heel, she caught my gaze. I moved my eyes along in a hurry, pretending to be glancing around the room. I searched for another book. Victor Hugo would do. I pulledThe Last Day of a Condemned Mandown and flipped to my favorite chapter. The spine crackled—clearly it had never been opened.
I sensed her moving toward me before my eyes saw. I kept my head bent over the page, hoping she would think better of talking with me. But her slender body heaved onto an ottoman a couple feet away.
“I’ve been waiting for you to get up because I want steal your seat.”
“Won’t be moving any time soon.”
“Kenzie is my boss, so I kind of have to be here.”
I said nothing.
“You obviously don’t want to be here either, so what’s your story?” She crossed her legs. One flip-flop almost slipped off her foot.
“My boss built the house, and I made the mistake of carpooling.”
She chuckled without sympathy. “I guess we are both here against our will then.”
“Yep.”
“Well”—she held out her hand—“I’m Julia Collins.”
“Patrick Moore.” I reached out and glanced into her eyes. They were ocean blue with a feisty shimmer. Her hand was cold and moist from the condensation on the plastic cup she’d been holding. I mentally gave her an A+ on the handshake. It was strong, firm, and confident.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
I kind of thought our conversation would end there, but Julia was just getting started. “You’re not one for social gatherings, huh?”
“Not much.” I readjusted the book in my hands and shifted away from her, hoping she’d get the message.
“You must like reading though. Or is the book-nerd thing a ruse?”
“Not a ruse.”
“Do you live in Nashville?”
I suppressed a growl. “Berkshire Apartments a few minutes from here.”
Her eyes grew wide, and she gasped. “Shut up!”
I flinched at her response. A couple people across the room glanced in our direction. “Uhm—”
“So do I!”
The corners of my mouth pulled downward. Last thing I wanted was a neighbor breathing down my neck. Especially one that didn’t know how to take a hint.
Just great.
She squinted as she watched my face then smirked. One of her dark eyebrows arched upward. “You don’t like having neighbors or something?”
“Keep to myself mostly.”
She changed the topic. “I’m not much of a reader but it does seem like a good way to pass the time.” She peered past my head toward the shelf. “Any romances over there?”
I shrugged.
