“Why don’t we go to that Chinese place you like? You’ve spent enough time in the kitchen today.”
I smile to myself. “You know how many women would be absolutely swooning if they heard that?”
“Are you one of them?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good,” he chuckles, “Because I’m swooning over a woman who bakes dozens of cookies for me based on an offhanded comment. But hey, babe, I’d better get back, my lunch break’s wrapping up.”
“Okay. Have a good rest of your day, I’ll see you when you get home.”
We hang up and I’m left smiling. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am. It wasn’t always like that, but ever since Joel stepped into my life, he’s made everything better.
By the time my new neighbor arrives later that afternoon, I’ve already finished a half-dozen more applications, taken the last batch of cookies from the oven and spread them out to cool, and the oven’s been turned off. I quickly load up the serving plate with a variety and stretch some aluminum foil over the top, then race upstairs to clean myself up a little.
Appraising myself in the mirror, I don’t think I’ll make too terrible of a first impression. My long, dark hair is pulled back in a loose braid away from my face, and since I’d thrown an apron on over my dark jeans and green sweater, they were clean and presentable.
With a little swipe of tinted lip balm that puts some color and life in my face, I’m satisfied. I head back down to retrieve the platter and head next door. The car is empty, the occupant or occupants already inside, but the front door is open, and the movers are working back and forth between the back of the van and the front door.
I glance at what they’re bringing in, being nosy and trying to assess what kind of people these new neighbors are, but it’s mostly just cardboard boxes and furniture that’s too generic to get much of a read.
Guess the only way to know is to meet them for myself.
Chapter Two
Stephen
“Hello?” I hear the echo of a sweet feminine voice against the empty walls of my new place, accompanied by a soft knock.
I tamp down the tiny flash of annoyance. I’m a little bit preoccupied at the moment and don’t exactly need more on my plate. “You stay right here, sweetheart, Daddy will be right back,” I tell my two-year-old daughter, Judy, making sure she’s secured in her playpen before heading to the front door.
Whoa. Any lingering trace of annoyance melts away like ice under a flame at the sight of the fucking smokeshow standing in my doorway holding a foil-covered platter. She’s a curvy brunette in a deep green sweater that clings to her full tits and a pair of black jeans that highlight hourglass hips. The color of the sweater brings out hints of green in wide hazel eyes, and her mouth is lush and pouty, the kind of lips that just beg to be kissed.
Those pouty lips curve up into a smile as I approach. “Hi, can I help you?” I ask.
“I’m sorry, hope I’m not bothering you or anything, I’m your new next door neighbor,” she explains, “I kind of went on a baking spree and thought I’d bring you some cookies to welcome you to the neighborhood.”
“Oh, wow, thanks, that’s super sweet of you.”
She offers me the plate, then suddenly freezes and draws back. “Oh, wait, shoot, do you have any allergies or anything? There are some peanut butter ones in here.”
I smile, touched by the concern. “All good here unless any of them contain shellfish.”
“So the crab rangoon cookies are a no go,” she sighs playfully, “And they’re my specialty, after all.”
“Sadly I guess I’ll just have to settle for peanut butter,” I laugh.
“Well, there’s also chocolate chip, butterscotch chip, and s’mores,” she adds with a sheepish smile.
“Wow, you really did go on a baking tear. You gearing up for a bake sale or something?”
“No, just unemployed and restless,” she laughs.
I realize I haven’t actually introduced myself to this beauty and after taking the platter from her, I balance it with one hand and offer her my other. “Stephen Welch, pleasure to meet you.”
“Kristen Tobin, same to you,” she takes my hand and shakes it, beaming at me.
My eyes drift down to her left hand and I’m pleased to see no ring there. That doesn’t necessarily mean that she’s single, but it’s a slightly hopeful sign, right?