“He hasn’t barked even once,” I say.
“He doesn’t bark. Trained not to. Otherwise I would’ve never been able to take him in. The other people in the building would’ve gotten upset.”
“Does he make any sound at all?”
“He whines when he wants something. But otherwise he’s a very nice, quiet dog.”
I prop the door open, and Kim and I move the boxes one by one.
“Just one more left. I’ll grab it,” Kim says, going back to my room.
I stretch my back, then my sides. Who knew packing could be so labor-intensive? I didn’t think I had that many things, but I’ve accumulated quite a bit since moving to L.A.
“Hey. Need some help?”
I turn and see a guy standing at the door. Wow. I’ve never seen him before, but he’s a hottie. Not as hot as Nate—nobody’s hotter, obviously—but he’s got that nice, strong face with a square jaw and bright, deep-set blue eyes. The dark hair’s cropped short and slightly messy, like he’s run his fingers through it a few times. And when he shifts, I can see muscles moving underneath his shirt.
Definitely a winner.
When I continue to stare, he gives me a warm smile. “Sorry, I should’ve introduced myself.” He starts to gesture at the unit next door with his thumb. “I’m—”
“Just leaving,” Kim cuts in with a fake-polite voice. “And no, we don’t need any help. Evie, let’s go.”
Wow. She isn’t generally rude to people, so what did he do to get on her shit list?
The man’s mouth tightens. “Kim—”
“We’re very busy. Oh, don’t forget to take your cat.”
Ah-ha. So this is Princess’s owner. The cat makes a protesting growl when he picks her up. I raise my eyebrows. Doesn’t she like him? Is he an abusive dick? He doesn’t look like one, but then, most Capital Dicks don’t have I’m a dick written on their faces.
Shooting him a look cold enough to keep mint chocolate chip ice cream frozen, Kim picks up all the stacked boxes except a couple and starts toward the elevator. The sight of her holding four is impressive, especially if you don’t know that the boxes hardly weigh anything. I take the remaining two and follow, stealing another look at the man. His lips are tight. He definitely did something he shouldn’t have. He’s probably sorry he has no chance with Kim, who is a babe.
Kim pretends like he isn’t staring at her hard enough to make her back tingle and steps into the elevator. After the door closes, I take a good look at her face.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she says. “I just don’t like it when jerks move in next door.”
“When did he move in?”
“Two weeks ago.”
Wow. The man must’ve made a terrible first impression. There must be a good story to this, but before I can ask, the elevator stops and Kim steps out purposefully. We walk toward her car.
She gives me a small grin. “I know it sounds silly, but I’m actually excited right now. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of Nate’s mansion. I’ve never seen his home featured in magazines!”
I nod. He gets a few requests for those things from architectural or lifestyle magazines, but turns them down every time. “He doesn’t like strangers in his home, taking pictures and stuff. Says it’s rude because he lives in a residence, not a museum.”
“Exactly. But if I’m helping
you he’ll let me in, right?”
“Kim, you can just visit me. He knows you’re my friend.”
She brightens. “That’s true. And friends help friends move.”
When we’re in the car, I ask, “So. What’s the deal with that guy? I honestly thought you found the jackpot when I saw how hot he was at first—”