That makes sense considering his job requires him to be a night owl. I wonder if he’s off tonight. Why is he home? And why did I care?
BANG.
I slam my eyes shut, shuffling my bare feet back until the sliding glass is cold against my back. This is not how I wanted it to go. If he found me, I’d want to be tough. Not a coward hiding.
I turn my cheek, sandwiching it to the glass. When I open my eyes, Logan is watching me, his baby blues boring into my light brown ones. To him, this may seem odd. Like, why am I having a near panic attack clenching a stupid butter knife to my chest?
“Stay here.” His towering frame descends the few wooden steps, and he soon disappears around the corner. I’m suddenly aware of being alone with the chill of the air clasping around me, and my staggering breaths squeezing together.
Hurry!I want to yell.
I want him to come back because even though he’s a little intimidating, being around him is better than being alone right now.
Logan reappears, silently making his way back up to his side of the balcony.
“So. Did you see what it was? Will I need to stab a potential murderer? Death by butter knife.”
A sliver of amusement flashes in his eyes. “Nah. Not tonight. It was just Fred,” he says. Like I should know who that is.
“I’m sorry, but who the hell is Fred?”
“The town raccoon. Though he hangs around here the most. Lana with her sweets.”
I let out a relieved sigh. “Oh thank God.” Then double over. Hands on my knees with my pajama shorts riding up. Ass cheeks on full display. I’m wearing a silk tank top, no bra and sleep shorts. I remember that now.
With a quick move, I straighten, but the damage is already done.
His eyes flare. “Goodnight, Sora.” My name is the last thing he says before vanishing inside.
While standing there trying to collect the last ten minutes, I replay my name from Logan’s lips and how it sounded. I must admit, it has a nice ring to it.
Four
With shot nerves and hardly any sleep, thanks to an eventful night, my body is yelling at me to calm down. I’m fine here. Whatever that raccoon was looking for, I sure hope it was worth it. And me accidentally flashing my neighbor while attempting to stab a fake intruder will forever haunt my dreams.
By afternoon, I had done the laundry, swept the floors and unloaded the dishwasher. If Lana is going to let me stay here for the time being, I’m going to earn my keep. She also never came home last night. I’m guessing my best friend had the time of her life with her new man.
The oven timer beeps, and I take out a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies. Baking calms my nerves, but I know I’m only stalling. My plan today is to do a job search. Even if staying here is temporary, I need an income. Besides, I am itching to wash my hands clean of dirty money. I just wish my history of work is one you add to your resume.
The smell of chocolate sugar invades the room, and I breathe in slowly, inhaling the sweetness.
Everything is setting in. The party. The escape. The flat tire. I was bold. Some might argue, foolish. Sure, leaving was risky, but I can’t ignore the sense of relief that floats alongside. Though the relief merely flirts with the crippling anxiety.
As I go to leave, the door swings open and Lana walks in with her new man. He’s tall. Not as tall as Logan. But because Lana is small, his height shrinks her.
Here’s a weird thing. Why am I thinking about how tall Logan is?
His sandy blond hair falls in one enormous wave, flirting with his forehead. He’s wearing a polo shirt and khakis like he belongs to a fancy country club. Knowing from experience. He also looks like he’s stuck in the 90s.
Strange. He doesn’t seem like Lana’s type at all. I can’t picture it, but she’s smiling, so that’s all that matters.
“Hey. How was the trip?” I ask as I stand with my hip leaning against the kitchen counter.
90s man takes his time glancing me over. The yoga pants and sports bra I’m wearing leave nothing to the imagination. If there’s one thing I’m not shy about, it’s how I dress. My neighbor seeing too much of me, nowthatis something to be shy about. The idea puts me in a vulnerable state, and I’m left wanting to look my absolute best. It’s odd to care about what a man thought. Yet here I am. Caring.
Ugh. I could get a glass jar and fill it from all the humiliating moments with Logan. So many, so quickly? Shaking my head.
A subtle sneer appears on her man’s face before it changes into a smile. There was no imagining that. Having creeps gawk at me wasn't uncommon considering, but his gaze is far from innocent. And that pisses me off, because he’s dating my best friend. She doesn’t deserve a slimy shit weasel.
