“Thank you, Shirley. Wonderful advice,” I grumble. It’s like having the sex talk with my mother. Unwarranted and completely unnecessary. “How about you make yourself useful and get me a coffee?”
She mumbles under her breath, before shaking her head at how stubborn I am, before stalking off in the direction of the staffroom. I know she’s not entirely wrong. Maybe I do need to broaden my horizons because I'm certainly not finding what I want in this town, that’s for sure.
But looking elsewhere brought along a whole new set of problems, like what if I actually found someone outside of this island? Wouldn’t it just complicate a new relationship, trying to find ways to spend time together? It just seemed more hassle than it was worth.
Maybe I should just be happy greeting my hand every night in the privacy of my bedroom and forget about finding a woman? At this point, it seems easier, and fewer people will end up being hospitalized.It’s after seven when I eventually leave the office and head home. Wednesdays and Fridays are my two nights to work late and get shit done. The kids stay back in an afterschool program and then are either dropped off at home—or occasionally Shirley’s place—by one of the other parents. Shirley told me last week that the other mothers fought over who got to drive my kids home.
Opening the car door, I climb out, nearly crash tackling Anna to the ground. I help her to her feet, apologizing profusely as she brushes herself off. What is it with this girl and accidents?
“I really am sorry for crashing into you. Can I apologize by cooking dinner for you again?” I ask her.
Anna flinches and then shakes her head, glancing anywhere but directly at me. “Sorry; I haven’t seen Dad in ages, so I really should eat with him.”
“Really?” I glance over the fence and into their open garage. I raise my eyebrows and smirk. “Because it doesn’t seem like he’s home.”
“Huh,” she mumbles like it was news to her. But I know she’s lying from how red her cheeks have gone. I narrow my eyes at her. She’s trying to avoid spending time with me, and I want to know why.
“Is everything okay?” I ask her with a frown.
“What? No, it’s fine,” she rushes to reply. “I’m just tired. Long day. Speaking of which, I think I might just go to bed.” Her eyes widen. “On the couch. Sleep on the couch, not in my room. I don’t think I’ll have any need to go into my room at all tonight.” She curses under her breath, looking angry about something. “I have to go.”
I watch, perplexed as she all but runs away from me. What the fuck…? Shaking my head, I let the last five minutes go because thinking about that too hard was going to drive me crazy.Chapter Three
Anna
I bolt inside my house, locking the door behind me, and lean my head against the wall with a loud thud. It’s like I’m trying to look like a tool. I’d love to have dinner at his place again, but all I could think about was what I’d seen the night before through my window and how much I wanted to see it again.
When I stood in front of him, I didn’t know where to look or what to say, and the way he glanced at me with those goddammed sexy eyes? It was like he knew what I was thinking about. He’s done nothing but be kind and gracious, but then he throws out comments that I totally misread. But I guess that was more me than him. I just wish I knew what he wanted with me.
My father is out again, for the third night in a row. I might as well be living alone at this point, considering he’s never here. I should stop complaining and just be thankful that I get privacy, free rent, and no bills. Not many people my age had that luxury.
Moving away for college had never really entered my mind. I liked living here, and I worried about Dad looking after himself. That was pre-girlfriend days, of course. I’ve only met Mandy once, and while she seems nice, I found it awkward and weird. What I struggled to get my head around most was that my father had found someone, but I hadn’t. I used to dismiss the fact that I was single as just being young and inexperienced. I’d find someone eventually, right? But now, the doubts were starting to creep in, and I was beginning to think it was me.Grabbing a can of soda from the fridge, I trudge over to the couch, throwing myself down with a groan. Turning on the TV, I flick through until I find something trashy enough to distract me. Even then, I can’t seem to think about anything other than Nick.