Rock Hard Neighbor

Whatever she told him, it must not have scared him off.

Yet.

The four of us laughed together and waited for our food to settle. It was nice, and it felt natural between all of us. Brian and Sarah bonded over their mutual hatred for reality television while Lanie and I colored with the crayons the pizza place had given us. I was teaching her about letters and colors, seeing how many she could identify before I had to jump in and help. We were there for three hours before we were winding down and ready to leave, so I made sure to leave a really nice tip as Brian picked up the check.

“Brian, I have to go back to the hotel and get my car. Could you drop me off there?” I asked.

“And I’ll have to ride back with you guys so I can get my car. It’s still at Brian’s,” Sarah said.

“Not a problem. We’ll get all the cars to where they need to be,” Brian said.

By the time we got back to my car, Lanie was already sleeping. I told Sarah to ride with me up the mountain, so we could talk, which meant Lanie could stay asleep through the ride home. We got into my car and followed Brian up the mountain, but I could tell there was something on Sarah’s mind.

“What?” I asked.

“What?”

“There’s something on your mind. You keep giving me that look,” I said.

“What look?” Sarah asked.

“The look like you want to say something. Come on. I’ve known you for years. I know when something’s on your mind.”

“You look happy, is all,” she said.

“Uh huh. And that’s it? Just that I look happy?” I asked.

“No. You’re actually happy. You’re not just smiling just to get by. You’re actually happy.”

I grinned as I drew in a deep breath.

“Yeah. I am,” I said.

“Are you two still going through with the marriage thing now that he has custody?” she asked.

“I’m not sure that we have to,” I said.

“I think you should still do it,” Sarah said.

“What?” I asked her, surprised by her comment. “Look, I know it sounds crazy. Trust me, I feel crazy for even mentioning it. But lunch? That shit flowed between the two of you effortlessly. And that niece of his is crazy about you. I can tell he is, too.”

“Really? You think so?” I asked.

“All I’m saying is, there’s no use in shutting a door that hasn’t been opened yet,” she said.

We rode in silence as I pulled up beside her car in front of Brian’s cabin.

“You think he actually has feelings for me?” I asked.

“I think that the two of you should talk about it because you obviously do,” Sarah said.

“Shit,” I said.

“I feel you. Now, I’m going to get in my car and go back to my hotel. Talk to him tonight. Get drunk to do it if you have to. But if you have feelings for him, he deserves to know before the two of you ruin something really great by overthinking it.”

“I know,” I said. “I know.”

“And by the way? That rock is serious. He could’ve bought you any old small, dinky ring. But he picked that fucker. That should tell you enough.”

I looked over at Sarah as a smile ricocheted across her cheeks.

“Tell him,” she said. “Just trust me, for once.”

“I always trust you, Sarah.”

“Then trust me again. Talk to him. Then call me and tell me all about it.”

“Of course,” I said, giggling. “It’s a shocker you don’t like reality television. That shit is right up your alley.”

“I don’t enjoy fake pettiness and drama. I enjoy actual pettiness and drama.”

“Talk to you soon?” I asked.

“You better,” she said.

CHAPTER 30

Brian

I woke up to Amanda talking excitedly on her phone in the corner. She was sitting on the windowsill with her legs curled up to her, a bright smile on her face. I rolled over with a groan and looked at her, my eyes running along the smooth contour of her legs.

“That’s wonderful. Yes. Yes, please, go ahead. I’ll be down there this afternoon. Uh huh. One o’clock tomorrow sounds perfect. I’ll see you then. And thank you. Thank you so very much.”

“Who was that?” I asked.

“Brian, you’re never going to guess what just happened.”

I sat up in bed as Amanda turned her smile toward me.

“What happened? Who was that?” I asked.

“That was the man from the art gallery. He chose me to sell the gallery to!”

“Wow. Amanda, that’s incredible.” My heart felt lighter than it had in years. Amanda was bouncing around with excitement as she wiggled herself around. I slid from the bed and wrapped my arms around her, drawing her in for a congratulatory kiss. I felt my soul collapsing into her, and the last of my walls dropping.

This woman had me enraptured — body, mind, and soul.

“I’m so happy for you,” I said.