Turning to my right, I saw a woman my age walking up. She had blonde hair that was pulled up into a French twist. Even though it was freezing outside, she was without a coat. Her pencil skirt and tight blue blouse showed off her curvy body as she stood in I swear ten-inch heels. With a smile on her face, she reached out her hand to me. “Vanessa Emerson. I live next door.”
What? How in the hell does someone my age afford to live in this neighborhood? “You own the house next door?” I blurted out.
She must have caught my stunned expression because she chuckled and said, “Let me rephrase that. I live with my parents … next door.”
“Ava Moore, and I’m sorry for the stunned expression, it was rude.”
With a bigger smile, she simply said, “No worries.”
Vanessa glanced over to Ryder and Nate and shook her head. “You’d think they would be too old to do this.”
Putting her fingers up to her mouth, she whistled so loud I was sure I would hear ringing in my ears for the next two weeks.
“Holy shit balls!” I said.
Ryder and Nate immediately stopped and turned to see who whistled. When they both saw Vanessa they began pushing each other to stand up first.
Once they stood up, they both shouted, “Vanessa!”
“I see the two of you haven’t changed much.”
I’d never seen Nate move as fast as he did. “Hey how have you been?” he asked, engulfing Vanessa in a hug.
When Ryder followed suit, I wasn’t sure how to take the way it made me feel. I’d never been a jealous type of person, but for some reason I didn’t like something about this whole Vanessa thing.
“Vanessa, you look amazing! Are you still working for Judge Walter?” Nate asked.
“Yes I am and loving every minute of it. How long are you boys in town for? I’m sure my mom and dad would love to have you over for dinner.”
Nate spoke up first. “Just tonight.”
“Well then how about I see if they are free.”
Ryder shook his head, “Oh no, Vanessa don’t do that. No need to bother your parents.”
I stood there like an idiot … not to mention I was freezing my ass off.
“Sorry to break up your little reunion here … but this Texas girl is cold.”
All three of them looked my way. It only took Ryder a second to realize I had been standing there waiting before he quickly rushed over to help me navigate up to the house.”
“Shit! Ava, I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart?” Vanessa asked as I stole a peek.
“Sorry, Vanessa. Ava, this is Vanessa, an old friend of the family. Vanessa, this is Ava Moore.”
I wasn’t sure why it hurt that he hadn’t elaborated on me being his girlfriend since he felt the need to say Vanessa was an old friend.
“I’ve got it, Ryder,” I snapped when I made it up to the front door.
His expression was one of confusion, but I didn’t care.
&
nbsp; “Um … let me get the door unlocked. Nate had the caretaker come over and turn everything on so the house will be warm.”
It was childish for me to be having an attitude, but right now I didn’t care.