“At least your parents are modernizing the place. I bet it’ll look amazing when it’s done. Your mom has lots of great plans, and I’m excited to help.”
“You really have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.” I rest my shoulder against the door. “She’s going to drive you insane asking your opinion on everything.”
“Trust me, I will love that.”
I stare at her pretty face, seeing no hint of a lie. She means every word. I didn’t think girls like Astrid existed. She’s unlike any other girl I’ve ever met. And she’s so fucking gorgeous. Herskin is so smooth it looks like silk. My fingers twitch with an urge to reach out and touch her. To wind my fingers into that golden-blonde hair, twist the strands around my fist, and yank her kissable mouth to mine.
A stunning blush washes over her cheeks the longer I stare at her, and what the fuck am I doing? Breaking eye contact, I avert my gaze and tell myself to get a grip. Mooning over the pretty neighbor is so fucking cliché. I don’t do girlfriends, and I’m convinced Astrid doesn’t do anything casually in her life, so there is no future for us as anything other than friends.
I just need to get with the program and remember my goals.
I’ve already been thrown the biggest curveball of all, and I’m fucked if I’m adding another of my own making.
5
ASTRID
“What doesfan ocksåmean?” Callan asks as we walk across the road toward his house.
“Where did you hear…my mom.” A resigned sigh slips from my lips. I knew there was no way she’d get through today without dropping a few expletives.
He bobs his head, fighting a grin. “It’s some kind of Swedish curse word, isn’t it?”
“Yep. She thinks because she curses in Swedish that no one will know she curses like a sailor.”
Callan bursts out laughing. “I just can’t picture it. Your mum is so sophisticated.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh, and I almost stumble over the curb. Callan’s hand is out in a flash, gripping my elbow and steadying me.
“Thanks.” My skin is tingling from his touch. “In a few months, I’ll ask if you think my mom is sophisticated again. I bet your answer is different.”
He arches a brow in curiosity as we approach his front porch. The paint has peeled from the railing, and the porch floor is faded and cracked in places. “Momisglamorous, andshe has great posture from her modeling days, but she had an unconventional upbringing, and she’s wild and pretty crazy at times.”
“She sounds fun.” He turns the key in the lock.
“Mom is great. I lucked out with her, with both my parents,” I say as he opens the door wide for me to enter. I’ve noticed Callan has great manners. A lot of the jocks at school wouldn’t ever think about opening the door for a girl, mostly because they’re too full of themselves to think about anyone else. “I know things are strained with your parents right now, but they seem cool too.”
“Ma is, but my dad has always had a giant stick up his arse.”
I can’t help laughing. “I know you’re probably already sick of hearing this, but I love how you speak. Your accent is beautiful.” Pretty much every time he opens his mouth, I swoon.
“I don’t get it, but if you say so.” He slams the door shut, and I swear the house shakes. “Welcome to the shitty house.”
“The shitty house?”
“It’s what I call it because every part of it is shite.”
I laugh again. “You won’t be saying that in a few months, dude.” I poke him in the arm. “I see what you mean though,” I say, glancing at the dated, torn wallpaper, scuffed floors, and hideous light fixtures in the hallway. “But it has character and lots of potential.”
“I really don’t see it, but I trust in your expertise.”
“I’ve got a confession to make,” I say, knotting my cardigan around my waist.
“That sounds intriguing.” He flashes me a grin, highlighting a set of perfect white teeth, and I’m dazzled, immediately losing my train of thought.
Callan snaps his fingers in my face. “Earth to Astrid. You zoned out on me.”
“Skit. I have a habit of doing that. Sorry.”
