Ah I’m so glad you had a good time!
The need to see her itched at the back of my neck. Normally a week might pass without a date night, but after yesterday…I needed to lay eyes on her. To remind myself of the happiness that was almost within my grasp.
And what I needed to do to make sure it didn’t slip through my fingers.
RYAN
Are we still on for dinner tonight? 7 at Enzo’s, right?
Despite our impending nuptials, Kate and I weren’t yet living together. With her working in London, her place was more convenient for the train station, and it wasn’t the biggest of flats—barely more than a studio. So, for now, we were keeping our own spaces.
After the wedding, that’d change. We were going to buy a house together. Not that we’d managed to view any places yet. Life had been so hectic. But we would. We just needed the wedding out of the way, and we could take the next step. That made sense, right? You got married. Bought a house. Settled down and lived happily ever after.
Just as it should be.
My phone buzzed and my heart sank when I checked it.
KATE
Oh crap, I’ve just remembered I have a client dinner. I know it’s a Saturday but they’re really important to the firm. So sorry hun. Coffee Monday?
I pinched the bridge of my nose again. This happeneda lot with Kate. Coffees would get postponed, weekends away cancelled, and there’d be dinners where it was just me at the table. Usually, it didn’t bother me at all. Kate’s career was important to her, and I understood all too well the pressure that was put on people in the finance industry. I was perfectly happy with my own company, and was long past letting silly things like eating alone in a restaurant make me uncomfortable.
Tonight though…I really could’ve done with seeing her. Letting her calm nature soothe the storm that Dom had unleashed.
But I wasn’t an arsehole. Kate couldn’t help that her schedule was all over the shop. Last thing she needed was me piling on guilt and stress.
RYAN
Course, sweetie. Just let me know when you’re free.
KATE
You’re the best! Love that you’re always so understanding. <3
You weren’t always.
I closed my eyes. The last thing I needed or wanted was Dominic’s voice in my head right now. Things were different now. I was different. My life was different.
And there was no room in it for Dominic Walker.
An hour later,I was slipping out of my front door. Gym bag over my shoulder, I paused when I saw the hallway full of moving boxes. The door to the flat next to mine was wide open, chatter floating out from inside.
Looked like I was finally getting new neighbours. God, I hoped they didn’t have a cat. The couple who’d lived there until a couple of months ago had been lovely, but their cat was a terrorist. Didn’t like me or anyoneelse in the building.He’d hiss at me through the crack under the door before sticking his little murder mittens out to try and swipe me.
Cassie and Jane insisted he was just thesweetest. Guessed he didn’t like to sit high up in the stairwell and jump down on them, claws out and yowling.
He definitely liked to do that to me. I didn’t know if all cats were arseholes or just Mr. Timmins, but I wasn’t in a hurry to find out.
I hovered, wondering if I should introduce myself or not. A burst of laughter filtered through the air, and suddenly I was transformed back into that awkward, nervous teenager, waiting on the periphery, unsure whether or not he’d be welcomed.
Fuck that. The thought was enough to have me squaring my shoulders and marching up to the open front door. Rapping my knuckles on the frame, I called out a greeting. “Hello?”
A burly workman in grubby overalls popped his head around a doorframe. “Alright, mate, can I help you?”
No cat trees in sight. A win. “Just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Ryan, your next-door neighbour.”
The guy thumbed over his shoulder. “Oh, I’m not the tenant. Let me just grab him.”
