“Hey, do you go to BRU too?”
Tori stilled at the bottom of the steps, while her grandma peered back at me shrewdly.
“Why?”
“I’m starting there next semester. Thought it’d be nice to have a friendly face around.” I shrugged.
Now she finally turned her head, shooting me a pointed look. Fair enough. Poor wording on my part, I reckon. She didn’t exactly seem to make a habit of wearing the friendliest of expressions, but she understood what I meant.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” she replied flatly.
I huffed a laugh. “Fair enough. It’s only for a year anyway. I’ll be back in Australia before you even notice I was here.”
Her head inclined slightly and one eyebrow arched.
“Good,” she quipped without missing a beat. “Then I won’t have to get used to you.”
There was something about the way she said it — calm and almost casual — making the words land more sharply than they should have.
It should’ve stung. Hell, most people would’ve taken the hint and left her to her scowling. But instead of backing off, I found myself grinning wider. Something about her bluntness hit me right in the ribs, taking my breath away, and I found I couldn’t care less.
“Good to know where I stand,” I replied cheerfully, even though she was already half-turned away.
Her eyes flicked back, sharp and cutting, as if she hadn’t expected me to take it the way I did. Then she rolled them so hard it was a miracle they didn’t fall out of her head.
Most people took one look at me and decided I was the friendly giant. Big, broad-shouldered, easy smile, slow to anger. Usually people liked those qualities. Theywantedto like me.
But not her. Leaning against the doorframe with my arms folded, I watched the tiny spitfire walk away from me.
Every word Tori had said had been laced with warning and abrasiveness, like spikes running along a castle wall. And yet, all I could think was how much fun it might be to climb it anyway.
Tane appeared at my back, but I kept my eyes glued to her form until she disappeared from my line of sight.
“Do you have any idea what the old bat’s name is?”
I snorted. “Nah.”
He sucked his teeth. “Righto. Are we sure this wasn’t some kind of hallucination? Or an out-of-body experience? A stroke, perhaps?”
“I sure as hell hope not,” I quipped, finally turning around to face him.
Tane tried not to laugh. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“Like what?”
“Dunno. But it’s weird. Quit.”
I’d met Tori less than ten minutes ago, and my little neighbor had essentially told me she didn’t plan on liking me. Rather than putting me off, it just made me want to know exactly what it would take to change her mind.
I’d told her I was only here for a year.
Right then, it didn't feel like nearly enough.
Chapter 2
Tori
Personalboundariesmeantnothingto this woman. She treated property lines the same way she treated speed limits — optional and only for other people.
