“Just a coincidence.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
Then, something shifts in her expression. Hands that were pulling me close only moments ago shove me away.
“No,” she says, shaking her head.
Stunned, I pull back to search her face. “Why not?”
“Because we’re neighbors, Jax.” She slips out from between my arms, putting the kitchen island between us. “Not to mention I’ll be working across the street from you. It’ll make things… too complicated.”
“Doesn’t have to be.” But I can already see her walls going back up, brick by brick.
She sighs, fiddling with her messy bun. “Look,what happened between us was great. Really great, actually. But it was a one-time thing for a reason.”
“And what reason is that exactly?” I lean against the counter, crossing my arms over my naked chest.
“Because I’m not looking for anything serious, and neither are you.” Her voice is firm, but there’s something in her eyes I can’t quite read. “And besides, neighbors with benefits is a clichéd disaster just waiting to happen.”
The set of her jaw tells me it would be pointless to argue. So, I plaster on a smile instead and shrug like her rejection doesn’t bother me.
Whatever. I’m not going to give up. I made up my mind the moment I saw her this morning. She’s going to be mine. I just need some time to figure out how I’m going to make that happen.
six
Ryder is sittingat the table across from me, boots kicked up on an empty chair, unwrapping a turkey sandwich. He glances up, giving me a look that says he knows there’s something going on with me, but he’s waiting for me to bring it up.
I lean against the counter watching yesterday’s leftovers heat up in the microwave. The smell of coffee lingers with the tang of antiseptic and ink, familiar smells that are a permanent part of the vibe here at Skin & Ink Tattoo.
“You gonna tell me why you’ve been glaring holes through the microwave for the past five minutes?” he asks.
“Maybe I’m just hangry,” I mutter, grabbing a fork from the drawer.
He smirks. “You’re so full of shit.” He takes a bite of his sandwich, chewing slowly. “You only get this quiet when you’re pissed off or you need to get laid.”
I shoot him a glare. “Can’t a guy heat up his lunch without being psychoanalyzed?”
Unfazed by my sharp retort, he shrugs. “Not when that guy’s been pacing the shop all morning like a caged wolf. What’s up?”
Exhaling through my nose, I drag my hands down my face. “It’s Sasha.”
Pausing, Ryder sets down his sandwich and leans back in his chair. “Oh.”
The microwave dings and I take out my lunch.
“Yeah. Oh.” I drop into the seat across from him. “Kinda ran into her yesterday morning.”
Amusement sparks in his eyes. “Ran into her or went looking?”
“Ran into,” I bite out, stabbing at a piece of chicken. “Turns out she bought the house next door to mine.”
He arches a brow. “Seriously?”
“Yup.” I point my fork at him before he can say what I know is coming. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” His lips twitch. “Say it’s fate? Karma?”
I scowl. “You’ve been hanging out with your girlfriend way too much.”
