Virgin Next Door

“It’s going to take some getting used to.”

“Yes, and I want to lay some ground rules,” he said. “No matter what, Katie will always come first.”

“Of course. I have no doubt. She’s more important. I mean, most important.” She nodded.

“Now, my parents do take Katie regularly, so I’m thinking on the weekends she’s away, you can stay here or I can come to you. We can work it out. Then when she’s around, I want us to be careful. I know she’s grown attached to you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and I don’t want to upset her, especially as this is just a bit of fun.”

“I understand.”

“I would appreciate it if you don’t push her away though. If you’re still happy to be her friend.”

“There’s really no reason for you to ask. Believe me, I adore her, and I would be more than happy to be her friend. She’s wonderful to be around.”

He glanced at her, staring into her face, her eyes, wondering if there was a hint of a lie. He didn’t see anything. Just the truth.

This woman, she really was something else, and he couldn’t put his finger on it. Damn it, he didn’t believe in the fucking curse. He knew the previous owner, a woman, had fallen for her neighbor, but it couldn’t have been real as there were two men. Unless … he didn’t have a fucking clue because he didn’t give a fuck about other people.

He didn’t waste his life in knowing other people’s business. None of it was his problem. The only ones he cared about were his own.

Houses bringing couples together was pure bullshit.

Then why are you fucking your neighbor?

There was no reason to listen to the voice inside his head. He made his own rules, not some fucking houses.

“She really is something, my little girl. You know, I didn’t know how to be a dad. I know my dad was there for me, and he gave me a pretty good start, even with everything I put him through. Still, between work, and being an asshole, in the early years, I organized nannies. Katie was raised by a lot of them. I tried for a couple of weeks. Diapers, feeding, and I struggled. My parents were away at the time, and instead of admitting defeat to them and watch my business crumble, I got a nanny.”

“Nannies are cool. You know you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, Eli. Raising babies is hard, at least I’m guessing so.” She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. There are times when we’re out I’ll see a new family. A new baby. Like a couple of months ago, we went to the beach. There was this family a couple of feet away from us. Even over the chatter and noise of everyone, I could hear them encouraging their young kid as he took his first steps.” Eli smiled. “I never saw Katie’s first steps. I never heard her first word, or even heard her first giggle. I came home one day to the nanny tickling her, and it was the most beautiful sound in the world.”

“I bet it was. You shouldn’t feel guilty.”

“You’re just trying to make me not feel so bad.”

She rolled her eyes. “No, not at all. You shouldn’t feel guilty because look at what you’ve given Katie. You missed all of those firsts, but there will be other kids if you ever have a full relationship. Besides that, you get to be here for more firsts, and you’re going to be ready for it. Katie hasn’t turned out so bad, and it’s not like you’ve turned your back on her, or anything. You’re still here.” She took his hand, their food already finished. “If it helps, I know she loves you more than anything else in the world. You mean everything to her, and you always will.”

He locked their fingers together. “You think so?”

He wasn’t used to feeling vulnerable or weak. Not that he felt it now.

“I know so. You’re all she talks about. As well as dogs and ponies.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be getting a dog?” he asked.

She pulled her hand away from him. “Yeah, I was going to but something came up and I can’t do it now.” She shrugged. “Can I use the bathroom?”

“Are you allergic?”

“No, I just, I have to be ready and secure. I’ll get a dog when I am. No worries.” She took his bowl from him and he watched her go, knowing there was more to it than he realized.

Chapter Five

Ann hadn’t been wrong. Missing the bank interview had been a big mistake as they didn’t call her back, nor did they want to arrange a new time. They had told her in no uncertain terms they weren’t the kind of people to be made fools of. When you had an appointment for a job interview, you kept it.