A knock on the door pulled me away from the kitchen. I opened it to find Chelsea in the hallway.
“Hey. Am I the first one here?” Chelsea asked.
I nodded and led the way back to the kitchen. “They should be here soon.”
“Haley left before me. I thought she’d be here by now. How was your day?”
I met her gaze and poured myself an extra large margarita, letting that answer her question.
Chelsea laughed. “That good, huh?”
I sighed and poured a drink for her. “I really can’t complain. I like my job. But some days are longer than others.”
“Same. And at the end of my day, I’m still not able to relax.”
I cocked my head at her.
“I live in a nonsmoking building, but I have a neighbor who smokes. I’ve reported it, but the complex isn’t doing anything about it. There have been times the mat in front of my unit is flipped around, like someone did it just to mess with me. I think he’s angry that I reported him.”
“That’s kind of scary.”
She nodded. “It is. I haven’t been happy there for a while and I’ve been trying to decide what to do, but now it feels like I need to leave.”
“Yeah, I would be leaving, too. Do you have any idea where you’re going to go?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about buying a house.”
“That’s exciting. Have you started looking yet?”
She shook her head. “I just started thinking about this. I know this is the right time to buy a place because it’s when inventory is at the highest, but I’m not sure. I don’t want to jump too fast. We’ve only just barely taken over the salon, and it would be really easy to get in over my head.”
“But that you’re thinking about that is a good sign. My mom was really frugal. Always lived below our means. She worked two jobs most of the time, but she saved a ton of money. When she died, I didn’t need a thing.”
“Did your dad help?”
I nodded. “He took care of everything when I went to live with him. He wanted me to go to college and paid for that, even though I never finished. After college, I haven’t asked him for a thing.”
“I’ve considered moving back in with my parents. The only thing stopping me is I feel like it would be saying I’m a failure.”
“There’s no reason for you to think that. Everyone’s situation is different, and as long as you all agree to it, there’s nothing wrong with living with them. I’d probably live with my mom if she were still alive.”
“Really?”
I chuckled. “She was my best friend. If she was still alive, I’d almost definitely still be living with her.”
“Wow. I feel a little better.”
“Are you close to your parents?” I asked.
Chelsea and I got to know each other some when Haley moved to town. Haley moved into the same building as me and worked with Chelsea and ended up introducing us. I was friends with Chelsea’s cousin, Elise, but I’d only known Chelsea in passing until Haley.
Another knock on the door had us both moving to the living room. This time it was both Haley and Piper.
“How did I beat you here?” Chelsea asked Haley.
“I made a pitstop,” Haley admitted. Her cheeks turned pink, telling all of us exactly where her pitstop was.
“How’s Knox?” Chelsea asked.
“He’s good. Said to tell everyone hello.”
“How are things going with you two?” Piper asked. Piper wasn’t around Haley as much over the last year as I was. She was busy with the Inn and life, but things were slowing down a little and she was trying to spend time with friends more.
Haley nodded. She was a little cautious about everyone. She moved to MacKellar Cove to be closer to her boyfriend without realizing her boyfriend was married. It was a disaster, but Haley found a good guy in Knox, and they were happy. But not everyone in town was thrilled when Haley and Knox got together.
“I’m really happy for you,” Piper said. I knew she meant it, and judging by the way Haley’s shoulders relaxed, she knew it, too.
“Chelsea was telling me she’s thinking of buying a house,” I said, changing the subject before Haley got too anxious. She didn’t like being the center of attention.
“I am,” Chelsea said, going with me on the shift. She wrinkled her nose. “I need to get out of my current apartment and my options are buying a house or moving in with my parents. I like with my parents, and I’m close to them, but I feel like I’m ready to buy my own place. Nothing huge, I don’t think, but something where I can invite people over.”
“You don’t want to rent something else?” Piper asked.
Chelsea shook her head. “I want more control over my space. Plus, I want a dog and a yard and maybe a hot tub.”
“I would love a hot tub,” Piper said with a groan.
“I’m on my feet so much and would enjoy a place where I can come home and relax. Have friends over. Cook meals and watch TV as loud as I want and not have anyone bother me. I’ve never had that,” Chelsea continued.
“Are you thinking neighborhood or someplace a little farther out with land?” Piper asked. She was an excellent investor and loved talking about money and the best way to spend it. She wasn’t always that way, but she’d finally accepted it was a strength of hers and was willing to help when people asked her for advice.
Not that Chelsea was asking, but Chelsea didn’t seem to mind.
“Definitely a neighborhood,” Chelsea said. “I’d love kids, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen. Either way, I want to live somewhere that feels safe. Where neighbors will hear me scream if something happens.”
“We live in MacKellar Cove,” Haley said. “What could possibly happen here?”
“You never know.” Chelsea shivered with imaginary fear just as my phone rang.
“Crap,” I muttered, seeing the number for the call center on my phone. “This is Sofia.”
“Hey,” said the smooth voice. “This is Daniel. I was wondering if I could get your help.”
“Of course. What’s the problem?”
“Oh, um, there’s a light out in my bathroom?”
Was he asking me or telling me? “Which light?”
“Above the sink. It was flickering the other day, when I moved in. I didn’t think anything of it, but now it’s out.”
“Usually something like that I will schedule. Can I come by tomorrow?”
“No!” he blurted. “Sorry. I just meant it would be really good to have it fixed tonight. You know, so I can see myself. In the shower. It’s dark.”
Was he drunk? What the hell was wrong with him?
It didn’t matter. He was a tenant, and I was in charge of maintaining the property. I had to answer.
“Okay. I’ll be there in a minute. I’m assuming you’re home?”
“Yeah, I’m home. You can just come on in when you get here.”
“No, I can’t. I have to announce my presence. I will knock when I get to your door.”
“Oh. Um, okay. I guess that’s fine. See you soon.”
“I’m on my way,” I told him.
I hung up the phone and met the gazes of my friends.
“That was weird.” I met Piper’s gaze. “Daniel said there’s a light out in the bathroom, but he sounded like he wasn’t sure and wants me to look at it immediately.”
“Does he think there’s an electrical issue or something?” Piper asked.
I shrugged. “No clue. He was being weird.”
“What were you guys saying about nothing happening in MacKellar Cove?” Chelsea asked.
Piper rolled her eyes. “He’s harmless. Trust me. I think he might have a crush on Sofia, but unless orgasms are now dangerous, she’s fine.”
I rolled my eyes. “He does not have a crush on me.”
“How do you know? You’re a catch,” Haley said with a wink.
“Nope. I’m not interested. If he does have a crush, he’s on his own. But he doesn’t, so it’s no big deal.”
“But—” Piper started.
I held up my hand. “Nope. I gotta go. I’ll be back as soon as I can be. Dip is in the oven. Might be done by now. Margaritas are on the counter. Save me some food. And a drink.”
“Are you safe to work?” Piper asked.
I nodded. “I only had one sip. I’m good.”
Piper held my gaze for another second, then nodded. I would never put myself in danger. She knows that.
I climbed the steps to Daniel’s apartment. Music and the scent of roses drifted from under his door. I knocked loudly, making sure he heard me. I felt bad for making assumptions about him. He had a date over, and I was worried he was being weird. He probably just wanted to impress whoever was there.
The door opened quickly. Daniel stood there in a pair of tight jeans and a black button-down shirt, unbuttoned to show off his chest. Dark chest hair coated tanned skin and drew me in.
It had been a long time since I found myself attracted to a man. I could appreciate some of the men I knew were attractive, but they’d never done much for me. The first time I met Daniel, I was clouded by my embarrassment at missing his arrival, but this time…
I was clouded by something else.
“Hey,” he said, his voice deep and husky and just right to snap me out of my trance.
“Hi. Sorry it took me a minute to get up here. I can check out the light and get out of your way.”
He stood back to let me in. “You’re not in my way. Take as long as you need to take.”
I glanced around, trying to find his date. No one was on the couch, but the bedroom door was slightly closed. His date must already be in there. And I was messing up their night.
“It won’t take long. Then you can get back to your evening.”
He followed me to the bathroom. I flipped the light switch and nothing happened. None of the lights came on.
Which was weird because it was working fine a few days ago.
I turned the switch off again and reached up to replace the bulbs. Usually they went out one by one and not all at once, especially when they were all brand new, but…
The first one was loose. Not enough to fall, but maybe enough to not come on. So was the second. And the third. I tightened all of them and flipped the switch again.
All three bulbs came on.
“Huh. I apologize for that. I must not have tightened the bulbs all the way when I installed them the other day. I didn’t realize, and they were loose.”
“Oh. Um. Okay. Well, that was easy. Do you want to stay for dinner?”
I took my time picking up my tool bag, trying to understand what was going on. “Um, I have plans tonight, actually.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize I was keeping you from a date.”
“Not a date. Just time with my friends.”
“So, you don’t have a date. Are you dating anyone?”
“Excuse me?”
“I was just curious if you’re dating anyone.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I wasn’t trying to be weird. I just want to know.”
“And you think that makes it less weird?”
“No, I just…” He drew a breath and let it out slowly. “I didn’t want to overstep when we go out on a date.”
“And what makes you think I’m going to go out on a date with you?”
He smirked. “Because I saw the way you looked at me.”
I took a step back, making room for his ego. “Wow. Okay. Yes, you are attractive. And yeah, I found myself drawn to you. But that’s done now. I’ll see myself out. Have a good night.”
“Wait!”
I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. I exhaled slowly, knowing I couldn’t be a complete bitch to him when we were going to see each other over and over again. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be an ass. I just… I’m going to be here three months, and I wanted to get to know you.”
“I understand,” I lied. I didn’t understand a bit. He was an asshole who thought I would fall all over him because I’m not skinny. Men thought plus-size women needed a little help, and at thirty-nine, it was even worse. It was like I had a neon sign over my head saying I was hopeless and helpless when it came to dating and I’d take any scraps offered.
Nope. Not even close. I was single because I chose to be single. Because I was happier being single than being one half of a relationship that was destined to fail.
“Do you?” he asked.
I looked up at him and saw something different in his gaze. A tiny bit of honesty that said there was something else going on. “Sure.”
He shook his head. “You don’t. But you’re letting me off the hook. I’m sorry, Sofia. I’m really not a bad guy.”
“I’m sure you’re not. Have a good night, Daniel.”
He nodded, a tiny wince at my obvious dismissal of him.
I couldn’t worry about that. He was a stranger, and a tenant. I wasn’t looking to get involved, especially with a man who was temporary.
I let myself back into my apartment. I set my bag down by the door, where I kept it in case I needed to run out to help a tenant. Chelsea, Haley, and Piper were in the kitchen, eating and drinking and talking.
“How was Daniel?” Piper asked.
“Weird. I think he might be into threesomes,” I said.
Chelsea choked on her margarita. Haley gawked at me. Piper shook her head.
“Why in the world do you think that?” Piper asked.
I shrugged. “He invited me to stay for dinner.”
“And that means he wanted a threesome? Don’t you need three people for that?” Chelsea asked.
“The bedroom door was mostly closed. I think someone might have been in there.”
“You’re not into threesomes, I take it,” Haley teased.
I shook my head. “Never tried it. Never had an interest, honestly. I haven’t had a lot of sexual partners, and when I’ve been with someone, I like being able to focus on just one man. I know people make it work, the ones who enjoy it, but it’s not for me.”
“I don’t share well,” Piper said. “If Gavin suggested it, I’d be hurt.”
“I think it’s different when you’re in a relationship with one person and want to bring another person into it,” Chelsea said.
“True,” Piper agreed. “And Daniel inviting you to dinner doesn’t mean he had someone else there. Maybe he just likes you.”
I shook my head and picked up my margarita. “It doesn’t matter. He said he knew I liked him and wanted to get to know me.”
“Why is that a bad thing?” Haley asked.
“It was weird, in a creepy way. I don’t know. It just made me feel uncomfortable.”
“I’m sorry. Do you want me to throw him out?” Piper asked.
I shook my head. “It’ll be fine. I’ll just keep my distance from him.”
“What if he needs you to fix something else?” Chelsea asked.
“I’ll go with you,” Haley said. “If he calls, I’ll go with you. Make sure you’re not alone with him.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that. For one thing, you’re not allowed into other apartments without the tenant’s approval. For another, it’s probably all my imagination. Maybe he was just being nice. I read too much into it.”
The three of them looked at me closely, none of them believing the lie I was telling, but all of them knowing they wouldn’t change my mind.
“All I know is this dip is amazing,” Haley said. “You have to give me the recipe.”
“Same,” Chelsea said.
“We might need to add a Mexican night to the Inn,” Piper said. “I think guests would go crazy over something like this. Hell, I’d put this in a taco, too.”
“It’s super easy, and delicious. I love it. It’s my go-to, when I don’t go to Just Tacos,” I said.
“I love Just Tacos,” Chelsea said.
“Me, too,” Haley said. “Knox took me there the other night. I tried their tostadas. Have you ever had those?”
And just that quickly, my concerns about Daniel were forgotten. We talked about food and enjoyed our dinner and drinks, then moved to the living room. We put on a movie that none of us watched as we continued talking until we started falling asleep on the couches. Haley and Chelsea wandered upstairs to her place, and Piper asked if she could crash in her old room.
“When does your dad arrive?” she asked as she fluffed the pillow.
“A week from Sunday.”
“That’s soon. Are you ready?”
I snorted. “Not even close. But we’ll see if he actually shows up.”
“Maybe you should start accepting some of those matches on Book Boyfriends Wanted. Give yourself excuses for not being here when he’s visiting.”
I laughed. “I just might do that.” I thought for a minute. “It’s bad that, for me, dating random men is better than spending time with my dad.”
Piper chuckled. “True. But maybe you’ll meet someone great and it’ll be a good thing. And maybe your visit with your dad will be good.”
“Or maybe he won’t show up, and I can just continue on how I always have.”
“Or that,” Piper said. “I’m sorry I made things worse by adding Daniel as a tenant.”
I shook my head and hugged my best friend in the world. “Nothing for you to be sorry about. It’ll all be okay. I know it.”
“I hope so.”
I smiled and said good night, then went to my room. It had to be okay. There was no other option.
