Molly

After we finish our meals, Chloe and I part ways outside the café. She heads back to the tattoo parlor and I head to my favorite little neighborhood grocery store to pick up a few things. I could take the bus or a cab two miles to a big-box grocery store that takes up half a city block, but I prefer the little mom-and-pop shop in my neighborhood. They have a surprisingly large selection of fresh, organic produce, which now makes up the bulk of my diet these days. A cancer diagnosis will do that to you.

The kid who works in the produce department hands me a pint-sized carton of fresh blueberries imported from warmer climates. “I saved these for you, Molly,” he says. “We just got a shipment in this morning, and they’re going like crazy.”

I tuck the blueberries into my shopping basket. “Thanks, Stephan.”

I fill up two bags with enough fresh food to last me the rest of the week, then head to my apartment. The nice thing about living and working in a small city neighborhood is how conveniently located everything is. I can go to the grocery store, run home to put everything away, and be back at my art studio in less than an hour.

As I’m approaching my building, I catch sight of my new neighbor and his lunch date standing at the curb, talking. As a sleek, vintage silver Jaguar pulls up to the curb, the blonde gives Jamie an enthusiastic hug and kisses his cheek.

The Jag’s driver door opens and out steps a guy in a sharp, dark gray suit, white shirt, and dark glasses. He whips off his sunglasses and smiles at the couple on the sidewalk, saying something I can’t quite hear. If I’m not mistaken, this is the same guy who was with Jamie the day he moved into my building.

The blonde lit up the moment the Jaguar arrived, and when the driver reaches her side, he pulls her into his arms and kisses the daylights out of her. Good grief, what is it with this girl? She’s a guy magnet.

The guy in the suit opens the vehicle’s front passenger door and helps the blonde into the car. After helping her buckle her seat belt, he closes her door and turns back to say something to Jamie. The two men shake hands, and it occurs to me that they might be related. There’s a strong physical resemblance between them, and they have that comfortable way with each other that screams familiarity.

As the Jaguar pulls away from the curb, I hasten up the stone steps to the door to my apartment building and punch in the entry code. Some lights flash and there’s a beep, and then the door unlocks. It’s all very high-tech.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the landlord sold the building unexpectedly, and shortly thereafter a fancy new security and surveillance system was installed in the building. It seemed overkill to me at first – after all, it’s just an old apartment building. It’s not like this is the Metropolitan Art Museum. But hey, I’m not complaining about the enhanced security. Given the issues with my stalker-ex, it was a bit of good luck for me. I’ve been sleeping a little easier since the upgraded security system was installed.

He follows me up the stairs. “Hi. Molly, right?” he says.

His voice is deep and resonant, and it makes my nerve endings tingle. It fits his appearance – male, rugged, too handsome for his own good. He’s still wearing those dark glasses, though, and I can’t see the color of his eyes, darn it.

“Hi,” I stammer, wondering if he saw me gawking at him outside the building just now.

I’m about halfway up the stairs when the heel of my boot catches on one of the risers, and I lurch forward. As I reach out to brace myself, my big slouchy purse slides off my shoulder and down my arm, crashing into the groceries I’m carrying. I’m about to lose everything. “Crap!”

A long, muscular arm snakes around my waist, catching me midfall, and hauls me back against a hard male body. I can feel the warmth of his body even through the fabric of my jacket, and he smells divine.

He steadies me. “Are you okay?”

My heart’s pounding, and I’m short of breath. “Yes. Thank you.”

He deftly relieves me of my groceries. “Here, I’ll take these.”

It takes me a moment to catch my breath. After regaining my balance and my composure, I turn to face him. We’re practically eye-to-eye, even though he’s standing one step below me. With his dark glasses, I can’t even see his eyes, though. Very bad ass of him.

“I’m fine, thanks,” I say. “My boot caught on the step.” I reach for my groceries. “I can carry those.”

“It’s okay. I’ll carry them up for you.”

I’m at a loss for words. Not only is this guy absolutely gorgeous, but he’s also really nice. “Thank you.”

He smiles, displaying perfect white teeth and the hint of dimples beneath his trim beard. “No problem.”

I turn to face forward and make my way to the top of the stairs, trying to ignore the pounding of my heart. Once I reach the landing, I turn right and head down the short hallway to my apartment. There are just two apartments up here – his and mine. We’re next door neighbors. Our apartments share a common wall.

As far as neighbors go, he’s been pretty quiet so far. No loud noises; no wild parties. Since he moved in, I’ve rarely heard a peep from him. Occasionally I can hear his TV, but it’s so quiet I can’t make out what he’s watching. It’s mostly white noise, which I don’t mind. As far as I can tell, he lives alone, which I find astonishing. Surely this guy has a girlfriend.

When I reach my apartment, my gaze zeroes in on the bright yellow sticky note affixed to my door. I grab the note, immediately recognizing Todd’s scratchy handwriting before I wad it up and shove it into the front pocket of my jeans.

How in the hell did he get in the building this time? I had hoped the new security system would keep him out, but no such luck. It looks like I’ll need to have another talk with Mrs. Powell about letting unauthorized people into the building. The poor woman can’t say no to anyone. She also can’t remember the rules.

I fish my keys out of my bag and unlock my door, wondering what I’ll find on the other side. As I push it open, I half expect to see Todd standing there waiting for me, but the living room is empty except for Charlie, who rushes to greet me, entwining his furry orange body around my ankles and purring loudly in greeting.

“Hey, you’ve got a cat,” Jamie says.

Charlie cautiously sniffs Jamie, and then, apparently approving, he starts rubbing against Jamie’s leg too.

“That’s Charlie,” I say, relieving Jamie of my groceries. “I hope you’re not allergic.”

“I’m not. I grew up in a house full of pets.”

Jamie scoops Charlie into his arms and scratches his ears. “Hey, little guy.”

Charlie rolls over onto his back and lets Jamie scratch his belly.

“Wow. It looks like you have a fan,” I say, as I head to the kitchen to set down my groceries. Feeling paranoid, I open the door to the laundry-room-slash-pantry to make sure I don’t have any surprise visitors lurking behind the door.

When I turn, Jamie’s standing just inside my apartment door, smiling as Charlie rubs his head against Jamie’s jaw, practically assaulting him with affection. I can hear the purrs from halfway across the apartment.

“Sorry.” I walk over and extract Charlie from his new perch and set him on the floor. As much as I’m enjoying having Jamie in my apartment, I really need for him to leave so I can do a thorough search of the place. It wouldn’t be the first time Todd picked the lock and let himself into my apartment. “Thanks for the help.”

“Anytime.” Jamie steps back through my open doorway, out into the hallway, then pauses. “Is everything okay?”

For a moment, I’m stunned speechless. How can he tell I’m on edge? Is it that obvious? “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“You seemed a little upset a few moments ago, when you reached your door.”

“Everything’s fine. But thank you for asking.”

“Sure.” He nods toward his apartment door. “I’m right down the hall if you need something. Just holler, okay?”

“Okay. I will.”