Page 6

Chapter Six

MACKENZIE

I swore I was not allowed to have one nice day off! If I was gone for one day, the aquarium turned into chaos.

I spent hours chasing down a penguin that had somehow gotten out. I finally found him at an ice cream stand—go figure. That was probably one of the weirdest days I’d had at work.

After the longest day of my life, I was walking home and had just gotten off the phone with Harper when I saw Fallon down the hall.

I took the stairs to avoid running into her at the elevator, but apparently, that didn’t matter. She must not have seen or heard me on the phone because she didn’t stop. Or maybe she didn’t stop on purpose because you were an asshole.

Once she went inside, I continued my walk home and decided to clean up a bit. I needed something to do—something to distract me.

After I cleaned around the kitchen, I grabbed the trash and headed downstairs to take it out. The distance wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t lived on the fifth floor and halfway down the hall from the elevator, but my load was light, so I managed okay.

When I got there, it seemed I wasn’t the only one with the idea of cleaning up. Fallon was tossing her trash as I walked up to the dumpster.

She was wearing white shorts and a plain black T-shirt. The shorts were borderline illegal in length, and I couldn’t look away.

When I finally did, my eyes caught on the colorful bundle of decaying flowers in her hand—dahlias, from the looks of it. A mix of purples, pinks, and whites, with a black one thrown in. She was also holding an empty bag of butterscotch candies.

My eyes eventually traveled slowly to her red hair, which glistened in the moonlight. It was mesmerizing.

Wait, no it wasn’t, dammit!

After she tossed her trash into the dumpster, she turned around and froze when she saw me. I couldn’t make out her expression, but it looked like her mouth opened slightly, as if she was drawing in a breath or wanted to say something.

After a moment, she looked down and walked past me without a word. I should’ve ignored her and not provoked her, but something inside me couldn’t let the moment pass.

“Did you have another wild party?” I asked.

She kept walking and didn’t say anything as she wrapped her arms around herself, most likely because of the slight chill in the air. Okay then.

“Lovely night, isn’t it?” I didn’t know what my goal was with that. I was just trying to get some words out, I guess.

Still nothing.

I sighed. “Listen, Fallon, I’m sorry, okay?”

She finally turned around. “You’re sorry? Sorry for what? You know what, it doesn’t matter.” She turned back around and walked away.

“Fallon,” I called, but she didn’t stop.

I didn’t know why I was even trying to apologize. It’s not like I cared anyway.

I didn’t care, but Harper’s voice echoed in my head.

You need to apologize. Try to be nice for once. She could probably use a friend.

Get out of my head, Harper!

She didn’t know what she was talking about. Fallon wanted nothing to do with me. And that was fine by me.

I didn’t want anything to do with someone as irritating as her, even if she looked hot in plain shorts, had great taste in candy, and had an eye for beautiful flowers.

When I walked back to the lobby, Fallon was waiting for the elevator. I walked up and stood next to her, not saying a word.

“Oh my God, you have to be kidding me.” She groaned and threw her head back.

I laughed. “Wow, so ladylike. You just saw me, so I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised.”

“Fuck off,” she whispered, so quietly I almost didn’t hear her.

I chuckled softly. “Such a dirty mouth.”

Nope. I was not going there. I was not going to think any kind of thoughts about her mouth at all…

Her eyes shot to me. She opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it.

The elevator doors opened, and we both stood on opposite sides in silence.

I sighed. “Look, I’m just trying to apologize, here, okay? Like you said, we both weren’t in a clear headspace and we handled the situation badly.”

When she didn’t say anything, I tried again. “Anyway, my name is Mackenzie… Thompson.”

She turned to look at me. “That’s what you call an apology? And I didn’t ask what your name was.”

“Well, then.” I chuckled. “You told me your name, so I thought it was only fair that you knew mine. Excuse me.” I threw my hands up in surrender.

She scoffed. “I should’ve taken the stairs.”

I frowned. “Yeah? Why didn’t you, then?”

“Because I shouldn’t have to,” she replied.

The doors opened to our floor, and I motioned for her to step out first. She gave me a half-smile in return. “I’m not going to run and hide every time I see you. I’m just trying to stay out of your way and get on with my life. I was hoping you’d extend me the same courtesy and not be a total bitch every time we run into each other.”

“Yeah, except for earlier, when you ran away down the street pretending to be on a phone call, just to avoid me? And that’s the second time you’ve called me a bitch. I’m starting to think you don’t like me.” I put my hand to my chest, pretending to be heartbroken.

She stopped and looked at me. “You… you heard me.” It wasn’t a question. She almost looked embarrassed before quickly adding, “Well, you were acting like one. And I don’t know you, but I can’t say I’m a big fan so far. Also, I was on the phone with… my boss.” She stumbled over her words, and I tried to suppress a laugh. It was a little too fun getting her all riled up.

“Right.” I smirked at her and kept walking.

“You’re insufferable, you know that?”

I unlocked my door and opened it, turning to face her. “Am I?” I asked.

“Yes, you really are.” She stood at her door, facing me, and took a deep breath. “I think it’s a good idea if we just keep our distance and try to stay out of each other’s way, okay?”

“Fine by me. Goodnight, neighbor .” I smiled and shut my door. I stood there for a moment, just long enough to hear a loud groan and the slam of a door.

I gathered myself and went to the kitchen to heat up some leftover lasagna.

“That went well. Thanks for the outstanding advice, Harper,” I said to myself. I took my food out of the microwave and headed to the couch.

I sent Harper a lovely text message, thanking her for sending me into the lion’s den:

Me: Thanks, Harp!

It took about five minutes for her to reply, obliviously to my sarcasm:

Harper: You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help!

Me: The only thing you did was help to ensure I was right. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.

Harper: What? What are you talking about? What happened?

Me: I took your great advice and tried to apologize.

Harper: Did you insult her again?

Me: No. You know, your confidence in me is really sweet…

Me: I actually tried to apologize. I admitted I was wrong and she wanted nothing to do with it.

Harper: Well, damn. I’m sorry. Maybe give her some space and time?

Me: That might be your best advice yet, sis!

Harper:

Me: Love you too, sister dearest.

I plugged my phone in and closed my eyes, trying to bring the next day closer.

I tried to extend an olive branch, but she broke it down and threw it into a fire pit. It was probably best that I took Fallon’s advice and kept my distance. Nothing good could come from being around her more than necessary.