Four

Ava

 

 

It’s been a crazy busy week! I intended on baking these damn muffins days ago but I haven’t stopped once. You would think working from home would mean I’d have more time on my hands but it doesn’t. It only means I have to focus even harder so I stay on task. I’ve made seven book covers this week as well as updated four websites. I attempted to make the muffins two days ago, but I got so wrapped up in a sexy cover I was making for a romance author, I didn’t hear the buzzer go off. I burnt the hell out of the damn muffins and had to throw them all away. This time, I set two timers and thankfully didn’t burn them.

Grabbing the cute wicker basket my mother gave me during my visit on Sunday, I lay down some tissue paper then stuff the basket full of the delicious muffins (I may have eaten one…or five). I make my way over to Griffin’s place. I’ve seen him and Levi a few times coming and going, when I’ve actually stepped away from my computer, needing some type of sustenance to continue to survive.

I knock on the door and wait—nobody answers. I knock one more time, hoping they just didn’t hear me. If I have to bring these muffins back home, there might not be any left by the time I try to bring them to their house again. This time the door swings open and standing in the doorway is a very tall, very beautiful, woman. Well, she would be beautiful if her face wasn’t stuck in resting-bitch-mode.

She’s wearing a dress that looks like it could be painted on her skinny frame. Her hair is pin straight, not a strand out of place, and her make up is done to perfection. I try not to glance down at myself but when her eyes roam down my body and her nose scrunches up in disgust, I can’t help it.

And of course, I’m in sweat pants and a shirt with a damn taco and nacho on the front having a conversation: “Let’s just taco ‘bout it…No, I’m nacho friend.”

“Can I help you?” Her tone matches her face—pure bitch.

“Yes, I’m the next-door neighbor. I was just bringing these muffins over for Griffin and Levi. Are they home?”

“I’m sorry…what? Your accent is kind of heavy.” I will not kill this bitch…I will not kill this bitch…

“I live next door,” I say slowly. “I have muffins for Griffin and Levi.”

“Griffin is in the shower. I can take them.” She holds out her hands and I hand them over. “Are they gluten free?” Ay dios, mio. She’s one of those…

“I didn’t check for gluten but based on the amount of sugar and flour I dumped in, I would imagine the only thing they are free of is vegetables, but they do have fresh blueberries in them.” I give her a saccharine smile.

Her nose does that scrunched-up-disgusted thing again as she attempts to smile. “Well, I’ll be sure Griffin gets them.” Just as she’s about to shut the door in my face, Griffin’s voice rings out. I don’t see him at first, but when he opens the door wider, moving resting-bitch-face to the side, I see him. All of him. And holy mother of god is he hot!

His shaggy jet-black hair is still damp from the shower, spiked every which way in a I don’t give a fuck look. He’s rockin’ the two-day old stubble and I have to stop myself from reaching out to feel it on my palms—wondering how it would feel against my lips, between my thighs. Whoa there, Ava…calm yourself…

He’s dressed in a forest-green sweater and a pair of jeans that fit him perfectly. Would it be rude to ask him to turn around so I can check out his ass? You’re right, it probably would be. Sigh.

“Heather, who’s at the door? Oh! Hey, Ava! Did you need something?” He smiles warmly at me and I briefly wonder why in the world he’s interested in a woman like the one standing in his apartment.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” heather cuts him off to ask.

“Yeah.” He gives her a tight-lipped smile.

“Well, I guess it’s better than that bar shirt.” She pushes the basket of muffins into his chest. “Your neighbor brought you muffins. I wouldn’t give your son too many, though. They’re loaded with sugar, and the last thing you need is a child bouncing off the walls.”

Ignoring her comment, Griffin takes the basket from her. “These muffins smell delicious. Thanks! Levi is with my brother and Lilly tonight, but when he gets home in the morning, I’ll make sure he gets some…If I don’t eat them all before then.” He shoots me a flirtatious wink that has me squirming in my sweats.

“You’re welcome. Have a good night.” I give him a small smile before excusing myself.