Scott

I’d felt terrible dropping Kelsey off at her house by herself. Of course, like a gentleman I’d offered to take her suitcase inside. But she’d waved me off, wheeling it to the front door and letting herself into the darkened house. It wasn’t until I got inside of mine, that I realized she was probably starving. Telling myself it was only out of concern for her getting some dinner in her, I put some steaks on the grill and potatoes in the microwave.

After dishing up her plate, I left my dad some and went next door to knock. No answer. Pressing the doorbell, I couldn’t hear anything. Thing was probably dead. Using the spare key, I opened the front door and called out. “Kelsey, it’s Scott. You okay?”

Shit. What if she was crying. I could picture her sobbing in her bed. Putting the warm plate down on the kitchen counter, I went straight for her bedroom door which was slightly ajar. But instead of discovering her on her bed crying, she was in nothing but a towel, bopping to the music.

“Kelsey.”

She turned quickly, eyes wide, gripping the only thing she had around her. A towel not big enough to be called decent. “Jesus, Scott, you about gave me a heart attack.” She covered her mouth quickly. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I said that. I didn’t mean to. That’s horrible because my dad just had one.”

I was already shaking my head. “It’s okay, Kels. It’s a figure of speech. A poorly timed one, but I knew what you meant. Uh, I brought you um - dinner. Thought you might uh - be hungry.” Jesus, I was a twenty-five-year-old man who had in fact seen his share of women naked. Yet this one was wreaking havoc on both my senses not to mention my verbal prowess.

“That’s really thoughtful. Give me a second to put on some clothes.”

“Yep.” I spun on heel, practically groaning at the fact she was naked under that scrap of terry cloth. I wasn’t supposed to be lusting over my neighbor. My very young, still a college girl, father’s best friend, who worked for the company that I may or may not take over some day’s, daughter.

She came out in one-minute flat, dressed in a sweatshirt and shorts that did nothing for my thoughts about her, considering her legs were tan, toned and way too exposed for December. “Uh, won’t you get cold?”

“Nope. I’m good. You want something to drink? I have water, or looks like Dad has some beer. Oh, wait, you only brought my plate. Sorry. It was nice of you to drop it off.”

I should tell her to have a good night. Go home and eat dinner with my dad who was most likely watching Monday night football. “Um, let me grab mine. I’ll be right back.”

Her face lit up. “Okay. Sounds good.”

When I returned she was waiting on me to dig into her food. “Eat up. It’s not anything fancy, but meat and potatoes always hits the spot.”

As she cut off her first piece of steak, I almost had to adjust myself under the table with the look of bliss that came over her face.

“This is amazing. I haven’t had steak in forever.”

“Glad you like it. I missed barbequing in New York.”

She locked her eyes on mine across the table. “So, what happens if you decide you don’t want to run your dad’s business?”

“I don’t know, to be honest. I thought about - ” I stopped myself never having voiced my feelings out loud on this subject.

Of course, she wasn’t about to let it drop. “Thought about what?”

“Starting my own firm. Doing investments for individuals, not corporations. Setting up trusts, estate planning and college funds.” She sighed, and I realized my misstep. “Sorry, Kels, I didn’t mean to remind you.”

She smiled sadly. “Not your fault. Think of it this way, you could advise people like my father, how to invest and save for college instead of having to mortgage their house, or give up health insurance.” She took one last bite before getting up from the table and putting the remainder in a container to save for later.

“What about you? What’s after college?”

“That’s easy. I want to be a teacher.” I loved the way she was back to smiling with the thought.

“In Texas?”

“Nope. Probably back here. Somewhere close.”

I found it curious she wanted to move back home, but held my tongue.

“Yeah. What grades?”

“Probably fourth. Old enough where I’m not wiping a butt, but young enough that they’re not dicks.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “You’d be the pretty teacher all the boys would want.”

She blushed at my compliment.

“Uh, so I should get back home. I can drive you to see your dad tomorrow. Matter of fact you should put your number in your phone. Just in case.”

She typed it in as I gave her the numbers. “I’ve got his car for rides. But I’ll see you at the office tomorrow. Should I call you boss?”

A naughty thought popped in my head of bending her over my desk which was a big fat mayday. Abort mission. Leave and do not pass go.

I said goodnight and got the hell out of there.