Page 4 of My Favorite Hero

KC. The recent addition to her stories.

KC is fabulous with computers. Head of a huge project.

KC wrote me again.

KC called last night.

I assumed KC was a relative, but Lou was intensely private and rarely offered details of her past life. I understood. I didn’t like to talk about the past either.

“What if KC doesn’t show up?” I asked.

“Then rip down the walls.”

“Any other stipulations?”

She sighed and smiled. “Keep an open mind. And be patient.”

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I agreed.

I bought the house, and the apartment sat empty for a while. Lou passed away suddenly, sending shock waves through the community. She left me her Mustang, which surprised me, but not as much as the money bequest. I tried to protest, but her lawyer, Charles Sims—or Sims, as everyone called him—insisted it was what she wanted. I put the money into an account, unsure what else to do with it. I knew how much she loved this house, so I thought perhaps I could use some of the funds for upgrades to make sure it was well-kept. The rest of her estate went to the mysterious KC.

Sims got in touch not long afterward to tell me that KC would be arriving in six weeks.

That had been a month ago.

Now, there was a woman next door I hadn’t expected. Didn’t want.

And was stuck with.

I couldn’t refuse her because I’d mistakenly thought she was a he. I paced as I tried to figure this out.

I had thought a male tenant would be simple. I could ignore them. I wouldn’t smell fancy scented candles being burned. Or hear love songs being played. I grimaced as another thought hit me. What if she was a headbanger? I liked my quiet time.

I ran a hand through my hair. I would simply set the ground rules, and we would go from there. Hopefully it wouldn’t be for long.

I could do that right?

I could treat her as if she were nothing but a tenant. Because that was all she was.

Flashes of her creamy skin and long, dark hair flitted through my mind, and I pushed them away.

They weren’t factoring into the situation at all.

Nope.

Chapter Two

JESSE

Aknock at the door startled me, and I opened it, finding Casey standing there, holding a pizza box.

“What?” I growled, not in the mood to deal with her right now.

“I brought dinner. As a thank-you.”

I paused, the aroma of the pizza wafting through the air. I was hungry, and I had nothing planned for dinner anymore. Those ideas had gone sideways with her appearance.

“I’d have you to my side, but it’s a mess,” she said with a droll wink.