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CHAPTER TWO

ELLIOT

Gina must notice my discomfort as I watch the surly man step outside.

“Don't worry about that old grump,” she says while gently bumping her shoulder into mine. “Forrest isn’t a bad guy. Comes in every day, but hardly says a word.”

“Every day?” I reply with a nervous flutter in my belly. Forrest is good looking. I'd even go as far as calling him hot, except his personality leaves much to be desired. I wonder what his last name is. Forrest Grump would be pretty appropriate. He obviously had some issue with me taking his order too, although I can't think of a reason why.

Gina hums in response as she pushes strands of her dark hair behind her ear. “Seriously. Don't mind him. He usually just orders a coffee black…like his soul.” She chuckles to herself, but I can't help wondering why the man is so moody. He definitely piques my curiosity. “He did seem extra cranky today, but I promise you had nothing to do with it.”

I'm not sure how she can make that promise, because it felt personal. Whatever his issue was, I am certain I had contributed to it in some way.

I bite my lip while deep in thought, but I'm not given a chance to really consider why I had affected him so badly. A group of three women come bursting through the door and make a beeline for the counter. I'm hoping they order something simple, but those hopes are dashed as they rattle off something that sounds more like an ingredients label than a drink. I stifle a sigh and paste on a smile.

Gina helps me fill the order along with several others over the next few hours. I keep an eye on the time because I have somewhere to be after work. Five minutes before my shift ends, she helps me balance my drawer and shows me how to clock out.

“Off with you.” She shoos me away, swatting me with a checkered dish rag covered in coffee stains. “You did great today. Toss your apron in the hamper in the breakroom, and I'll see you in the morning.”

“Thanks, Gina.” I smile and head toward the employee door while she takes over the register.

I do as she instructed, whipping off my apron and throwing it in the linen bin. After I grab my things from my cubby and put my hat inside, I head out, offering a wave goodbye as I pass Gina.

I need to change clothes and find a cab. I'm still new to the city, and from a small town. Everything feels so complicated here in comparison, and at the same time, everything is so convenient. It's definitely a culture shock and one I haven't gotten used to yet.

My apartment is just upstairs from the shop, which suits me perfectly considering my only wheels are public transportation. Well, almost perfectly. Speaking of culture shock, I pause at the door of my new apartment and grimace. I can already hear the music blaring from my new roommate’s speakers, and I know I'll be walking into a mess. When I'd answered the ad for this place, the price had been right, but the pictures of a clean and tidy home had been a lie in every sense. I've regretted the decision since the second I moved in the first box of my belongings. I can't wait to find something else in the same area.

Just as I reach into my pocket, I hear the door across the hall squeak open and a deep voice grumbles behind me.

“I’ll have it to you by tonight, John. You caught me on my way out, but I’ll send over the proofs for you to look at this evening.”

Curious, because I haven't met our neighbor yet, I glance over my shoulder and freeze. No way. This can't be happening. It's him. The walking bad mood from this morning lives within feet of me because of course he does. And he looks even hotter than he had this morning. His brown hair is messier as if he's been running his fingers through the strands repeatedly.

Recognition lights in his fierce brown eyes as they lock on mine and then narrow. Forrest stills in his doorway, never looking away from me as he listens to whoever is speaking on the phone. I can't stop staring even though I know I must look like a deranged owl, wide-eyed and unblinking.

“Yes, sounds good. I’ll talk to you then.” He continues glaring at me as he finishes his call and then taps on his phone harder than necessary. The screen goes dark, and he shakes his head once at me. “No.”

Why does he keep saying that? What does he mean by no ? My brow furrows. “I'm sorry?”

“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head again.

This guy really does have a problem with me, I realize. But why? And how has he been my neighbor for a week and we’ve never run into each other?

Puzzled, I turn around to face him and cross my arms over my chest. I know I'm running late, but this new development has me too interested. I’ve never been comfortable with any sort of confrontation, so I’m surprised when I hear myself respond. “Do you want to elaborate on that? Or just simply… no .”

“You don't live there.” He points at the door behind me. “Parker does.”

Okay, maybe this guy is actually crazy. Maybe Gina just hasn't noticed or didn't want to scare me.

“Yes, he does.” I agree with the lunatic. “And I moved in last week.” He studies me in silence for a moment too long and it happens again. Words burst from my lips with an uncharacteristic edge. “Have I done something to offend you? Or are you just a moody jerk to everyone?”

“Why can't it be both?” he asks in a flat voice, facial features giving nothing away.

He's joking though, right? I'm waiting for the punchline, except it never comes. This guy is serious. “And what exactly did I do?”

“Listen, just stay on your side of the hall. Okay?” He scowls.

“Because there would be a reason for me to ever come to yours?” I ask while arching an eyebrow.

His lips flatten into a straight line. “When do you work at the coffee shop?”

“You want my schedule?” My eyebrows pop up in surprise. “Are you on meds? Like did you forget to take them today or something?”

Where did that come from? I've never said anything like that to anyone in my life. This man seems to bring out the worst in me. And I don't feel even slightly guilty for it.

Then his lips…twitch. And then they flatten again. Did he almost laugh? Is he even capable?

“Nevermind.” He shoves his phone into his pocket and steps out into the hall, pulling his door closed. I'm actually surprised he can stand to bring himself that close to me. To my knowledge, I've never been hated on sight before, and everything about him confuses me. He gives me a pointed look. “Just…don't.”

“Don't what ?” The exasperation is clear in my tone, but seriously, I'm about to call a doctor for this man.

“Don't anything .” Forrest turns and locks his door before he walks away, leaving me staring at his back until he disappears into the stairwell.

“What was that?” I whisper to myself.

The men I’m attracted to always seem to be straight or unavailable, which is unfortunate, but at least they’ve always been sane. So, why does my imagination turn to shutting Forrest’s mouth next time by putting my lips on his? And there will definitely be a next time because my new neighbor is a hundred percent certifiable.

I’m going to blame the fact that I’m not only a virgin, I’ve never even been kissed. This is just a hiccup in the horny matrix or something. I'm sure of it.

Sighing, I turn around and unlock the apartment door. Now that I've dealt with Forrest Grump, Parker seems like a walk in the park. He's sitting on the couch with a bag of chips in his lap, but many have escaped and are laying half crushed on the blue cloth upholstery. His headset is on and he's laughing obnoxiously into the mic while playing a video game. I don't even think he notices me entering, which suits me just fine.

As I make my way to my room, I wrinkle my nose at the piles of clothes and trash he's somehow managed to double during the short shift I worked. I wouldn't call myself a neat freak, but it wouldn't kill him to learn to work a washing machine or find a trash can.

Once I'm in my room, I close the door and check my phone. I'm not at all surprised to find a couple of texts waiting from Katie. She's the first and only friend I've made in the city so far, and we have plans to meet for a late lunch. I'm already running behind thanks to the jerk across the hall, so I quickly tap on the unread messages.

Katie: Hey, I grabbed us a table near the bar. Just come on back when you get here.

I wince when I see it was sent fifteen minutes ago and then I read the second text.

Katie: Tick tock. I look like an idiot sitting alone. Get your butt here.

That one was sent two minutes ago so she must still be there. I type out a reply.

Me: Sorry, running late. Tossing on some clean clothes and headed your way. Don't kill me.

Another text comes through as I'm slipping into a pair of black skinny jeans.

Katie: You're good. There's a hot blonde at the bar and I'm trying to get her attention anyway.

I roll my eyes. She's said something similar every place we've gone to this week and we meet up often.

Me: Good luck. Be there soon.

I slip on a red t-shirt and slide on a pair of white sneakers before grabbing my things and rushing back through the apartment.

I'm almost positive I'll somehow run into Forrest again, but luck is on my side and there's no sign of him. Good thing too. I'm starving and edging toward a bad mood myself if I don't eat soon. If he says one more word to me at the moment, I might…

The mental image of shutting him up by kissing him once again enters my mind. Maybe he's not the only insane one.