“You didn’t have to do that.” He gives a shrug like it really is no big deal.

“It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

“I can’t date you,” I blurt out. His eyebrows raise, but that smile stays on his face.

“I know, but we can be friends, right? We live across the hall from each other.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. He generally seems like a nice person. The problem is I’m not sure I can be his friend. I keep thinking about him in ways that you don’t usually think about people that are only friends. Hell, I masturbated to thoughts of him last night, and it was the fastest I’ve ever gotten myself off. I told myself it was because it had been so long since I’d done that. Even with me going off so quick it still hadn't been enough. I think my body knew he was across the hallway and wanted more. He was only a hop, skip, and a jump away, and my body didn’t want second best when the real thing was so close. But he’s right. I’m going to be seeing him every day most likely. It would be nice to have a friend besides my sister.

“We can be friends,” I agree. Not sure I have much of a choice.

“Then let me drive you home. We’re both going to the same place.” I look at my watch seeing it’s almost seven already. My sister will be there soon.

“Okay.” He opens the passenger door for me. I slip in. He rounds the SUV, jumping in and taking off. I steal looks at him out of the corner of my eye. “So what were you doing over in this part of town? Do you work here?”

“I was taking some pictures. That’s what I do for work.”

“Oh wow. A photographer?”

“Yeah. I turned my passion into my work.”

“I have to admit. I’m jealous. To get to do what you love and get paid for it is a dream come true.”

“Do you not like your job?” I let out a small laugh.

“I pretty much hate it, but there is a spot opening up for one of the lawyers. He’s going to need an assistant. I’m hoping I can snatch it up, but I’m guessing I’m not qualified with only an associate's degree.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. I bet you get it.” He makes a turn at the light. “Did you always want to go into law?”

“No. I got my associate’s in early childhood. I’d planned to go for my bachelor’s but my mom got sick and then I lost her.” I look down at my hands. Those words never get easier to say. He reaches over and rests his hand on top of mine, giving them a squeeze. I’m not sure why I shared that.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” He pulls up to our building a few moments later. I spot my sister's car already here. Jay parks a few spaces down from her. She is going to be tickled pink that she will be able to get a peek at him. This couldn't have worked out better for her if she planned it herself.

Five

Jay

“So you’re Jay,” says the sister as she sizes me up in the parking lot.

“I am.” I slide a glance toward Dove, who is avoiding eye contact so she doesn’t have to admit she talked about me with her sister.

“I’m Avery.”

“The sister,” I add as if I’ve held some deep, meaningful talks with Dove about her family.

“Right.” A smile spreads across Avery’s face. “What do you do?”

“I’m a photographer.”

Her eyebrows go up. “A struggling one, though?”

“Avery!” Dove snaps to attention.

“What? He just moved in here, so he doesn’t have a lot of money.”

“Neither do I,” Dove snaps. She takes Avery’s arm and starts dragging her to the lobby. I trail behind and plot how to finagle a dinner invitation out of them.

“I could give you a loan.”

“And I don’t want one.” Dove spies me over her shoulder and hurries her sister along. Time to make my move or I’ll be left out, literally.

“You here for dinner, Avery?”

“Yes, I am. Why?”

“If you two haven’t cooked up anything yet, you should let me take you out.”

Dove’s looking a little ragged around the edges. I don’t know if it’s because she’s feeling emotional about missing her mom or her work tires her out. Either way, I want to wrap her up in cotton and tuck her into bed.

Avery pulls to a stop. “I’m listening. Go on.”

I engage in some quick mental deductions. Avery is worried about her sister and isn’t impressed by my occupation or the size of my wallet. What I need to do is to reassure her that I’m a stable functioning adult that can support her sister in the life that Avery thinks Dove should be accustomed to. “Stone Tavern?” My agent took me to the place when I first got back. The menu didn’t have prices on it, so it should be impressive enough for Avery.

Her eyebrows go up. “That place is hard to get into.”

“Is it?” I didn’t know. I’ll have to call Davis for help then, which I don’t want to do. He wants the book, and if he thinks that I’m distracted by a woman, he’ll try to remove her from the equation, and then I’ll have to murder him, and none of that seems like a great outcome. “How about a different suggestion then?”

“Let’s just eat here. I’m tired and don’t feel like getting dressed up to go out,” Dove chimes in. She plucks at the front of her blouse—a pretty blue thing with a high ruffled collar that frames her gorgeous face. “Didn’t you say you were bringing dinner over anyway?”

Avery moves her hands behind her back. “That must be some other sister.”

“You’re my only sister.”

I cock my head to the side and spot a plastic container dangling from Avery’s hands. I reach over and take the box out of her grip. “Dining in it is. I’ll bring wine. Which do you want? Red or white?”

“It’s manicotti so red,” Avery tells me. She slides a look to Dove. “As long as Dove doesn’t mind. Should we eat at your place?”

A vision of my bare walls, bare floor, and cardboard table flash in front of my eyes. “No.” I say it too forcefully, and both women look taken aback. “No,” I repeat but this time with a smile. “I just moved in, and my place looks like a hurricane swept through. Besides, Dove’s place is nicer than mine.”

“Dove’s place is nicer?” Avery’s voice is rising in concern. I can already see that my name is being struck from her “potential husbands for Dove” list.

“Don’t be a snob,” Dove hisses under her breath.

“I’m not. I was just...surprised,” Avery says, slightly defensive. “Anyway, let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

“I’ll meet you in five.” I slip inside my door, making sure that the nosy sister can’t get a glimpse of my sad apartment. Once Abel is done, I’ll throw a big party for Dove and her family, but until then, it’s off limits—even for Dove. I grab the wine and stroll back across the hall. The door is open, which makes me frown.

“Something wrong with your lock?” I ask, kicking the door shut behind me.