“Something’s off with this one.”
Off? Was shekidding?
She looked stunning. Elegant. Effortless. Like every damn fantasy a man didn’t dare voice out loud.
I was too stunned to form a coherent thought, let alone a full sentence.
“Logan?” she prompted with a light laugh, snapping me back into the room.
“Nothing is off,” I finally managed. Then I noticed the thin straps on the dress were loose, slipping slightly off her shoulders.
“Wait, come here.” I motioned for her with a finger.
She approached, and I gently turned her so her back was to me. She crouched slightly, and I lifted the strap, fingers brushing against her bare skin.
Goosebumps rose instantly beneath my touch.
I felt it—that spark, like electricity between two fuses.
A quiet current passed between us, something unspoken and unmistakable. It traveled from her skin to my fingertips, straight to the center of my chest, straight to my heart.
Choosing to disregard the sudden ache blooming in my chest, I fixed both straps carefully, fingers grazing the silk as I adjusted the delicate material to fit her frame. When I was done, she stood and walked back to the mirror.
This time, she smiled.
That simple shift in expression hit harder than it should have. I wanted to stand up, cup her face in my hands, and tell her just how fucking beautiful she looked in everything she’d tried on today.
But I didn’t because I could never tell her how I really felt. Doing that presented the possibility of pushing her away forever, and I couldn’t have that.
Instead, I stayed where I was, rooted to her bed, letting her come to that realization on her own.
“That’s it,” she said with a nod, exhaling softly. “It was just too loose.”
“That one better be akeep.”
Her eyes met mine in the mirror. And for the briefest second, something passed between us, something hot and electric and dangerous.
Ellie broke the connection, glancing back at herself, and nodded. “Definitely.”
10
ELLIE
Me: Is this Miles?
Annoying Neighbor: Sure is and who is this?
Me: It’s Ellie, your annoyed neighbor
Annoying Neighbor: lol glad to see you got my note. I was starting to worry you weren’t going to respond.
Me: This is very new, and I could stop replying at any point.
Annoying Neighbor: Fair… do tell me, while I still have your attention Ellie, do you prefer coffee or tea?
Me: Already trying to get to know me? I do like a go-getter… coffee for sure
Annoying Neighbor: Determination is my middle name
