Porter (Men of Lovibond 3)

“It feels very family oriented around here.” I think that’s one reason Lawry pushed so hard for this house.

“Definitely.” Adelyn points to a passing vehicle and then the two parked in driveways across the street. “Minivan. Minivan. Minivan. This is hardcore soccer mom territory.” Her eyes widen. “And it can be terrifying at times.”

Soccer moms aren’t terrifying. But strung-out-heroin-addict moms are.

“Then I’ll make a point to stay out of their way during carpool hours.”

“Wise decision.” My new neighbor offers the basket she’s holding. “The reason I came. This is for you. Just a little welcome-to-the-neighborhood happy from me.”

I unfold the fabric and my nose and eyes find more than one pleasant sensation. Muffins in cupcake papers. Freshly baked bread, still warm. A jar of jam. Looks like strawberry. Or maybe plum. Sausage balls. Grapes. Cheese and crackers.

I. Am. Impressed.

“This looks amazing. Thank you.”

“No problem. I remember what it was like moving in. Being without a functioning kitchen was a total nightmare.”

“A functioning kitchen makes this guy no difference. He eats trash.”

“Don’t listen to her. She’s a tree-hugging-hippie vegan. She eats grass and granola.”

“Healthy doesn’t equate to unsavory.” And here we go with the nutrition spiel.

“She lies,” I hiss. “Don’t fall for her deception, Adelyn. It’s a trap intended to lure you into her tofu world.” Adelyn giggles.

“I adore baking and it’s very likely I’ll pawn muffins and fresh bread off on you, but I promise I’ll never bring tofu.”

“Ollie loves to eat so I see this neighbor thing potentially working out well.”

“I hope so.” Is that a hint of flirtation in her grin? Or in her unusual hazel eyes, the way they linger on mine a little longer than what’s considered appropriate? Or in the flick of her wrist as she tosses her flaming locks over her shoulder?

Redheads.

She can’t possibly know they’re my preference. My delicacy. My fucking weakness.

And the last one was almost my undoing.

Adelyn’s eyes leave mine, and she glances at her watch. “Oh dear. I hate to pop over and run, but I have a lunch meeting with a client across town.”

“What kind of work do you do?”

“I own an event planning service.”

Lawry breaks into her well-how-’bout-that smile. “Hear that, Ollie? Adelyn’s an event planner.”

Adelyn’s brow lifts as she watches the exchange between my sis and me. “That’s what I do.”

“It just so happens I’m in need of an event planner. The woman we’ve been using recently relocated so I’m in a bind.”

“Business or personal?”

“Business.”

“Sure.” Adelyn nods as she glances at her watch a third time. “I’m short on time at the moment but how ’bout I take a look at my calendar and give you a call so we can schedule a lunch meeting to discuss the details?”

“That would be fantastic.”

“Perfect.” Adelyn plucks her sunglasses from the top of her head and slips them over her eyes when she and Lawry finish exchanging contact information. “Well, I’m off. Try not to work too hard, guys.”

I put my arm around Lawry. “Don’t worry about this one. She won’t.”

“Hey, jackhole!” She slams her hip into mine. “I can always go home to prop up my feet and dump all this on you and Porter.”

I catch the back of my sister’s neck and squeeze. “You know I’m kidding, knucklehead.”

Adelyn seems amused by our exchange. “I look forward to our meeting, Lawrence.”

I shamelessly ogle Adelyn’s ass in her tight skirt as she walks away and gets into her Jaguar coupé. “You know what? I think I’m going to like living in this neighborhood a lot.”

“I’m sure you will with that living next door. I happen to know how much you visually enjoy a lovely lady of red.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I think she’s a natural.”

“She is.” Both a natural beauty and a natural redhead.

“I guess you would know, being a connoisseur and all.”

“Yes, I would.”

“Well, she wants to feed you, so she’s already okay in my book.” I don’t think my sister’s ever going to get over her neurosis about nourishment.

It’s been twenty-three years since our bellies growled from hunger. Real hunger. Painful hunger. Not the kind people mistakenly refer to as starving when it’s only been a half day since their last meal.

“I see Porter’s truck but no Porter.”

“He’s waiting in my truck.”

“Instead of being front and center to meet your new attractive neighbor?”

I can’t be wrong if Lawry thinks it’s odd too. “I know. Weird.”

“He must not have gotten a good look at her.”

“But he did. He’s actually the one who pointed her out to me.”

Fucker is sitting in my truck staring off into space. Smiling. “He denies it but I think the bastard is in some kind of secret relationship.”

“That’s fantastic. But why would he keep it secret? And especially from you?”

“I don’t know but things have been off with him for a while.”

“Things being off automatically makes you think he’s in a relationship?”

“No, but his sudden ability to

perfect the disappearing act does. Reminds me of the days when you and Tap were doing the sneaky behind my back.”

“Ah, the disappearing act. A good indication something is going on and he doesn’t want you to know what it is.”

“I know, right?”

“Cut the guy some slack. He’ll come around and tell you when he’s ready.”

“Unless I figure it out first.”

I look over at my truck and see Porter holding his arm out the window tapping on his watch. Laughing. Bastard.

A missing Benjamin from my wallet makes no difference to me. Those few extra moments with my new neighbor were worth every penny for laying the foundation for my next welcome-to-the-neighborhood happy from Adelyn Maxwell.

Yes. I believe I’m going to like this neighborhood a lot.