“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” - Dr. Seuss
Almost four years ago…
Of course, today of all days, my roommate and best friend, Zach, is running late. According to the voicemail he left moments ago, he had gotten caught up in meetings and was now stuck in traffic. I feel bad for him because I know he’s somewhat anxious about today. Okay, so maybe somewhat is a bit of an understatement. His younger sister, Danielle, is finally coming home after years of being on the run. I can’t imagine what she went through, losing the love of her life at such a young age, but I also can’t imagine leaving my life behind without a word. My family is my world.
I check my phone and realize I have enough time to take a quick shower to wash off the shit day I had at work before heading to meet my sisters for dinner. I strip off my dress shirt and throw it on the floor before making my way to the bathroom in the hall.
I reach to turn the shower on when there is a knock on the door. Of course, she’s here before he is. Or maybe it’s just our luck and it’s just one of those annoying salesmen selling something stupid like vacuums.
I open the door.
Holy shit!
I’m standing face-to-face with the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Her hand is raised as if she had planned to knock again, but she quickly brings it down in front of her. She looks down at her phone before glancing back at me.
Maybe she’s lost. Wouldn’t that be my lucky day?
Say something, Ky.
My eyes travel up and down her perfect body.
Her eyes are as blue as the hope diamond the old lady threw off the boat at the end of Titanic.
Those lips…I wonder what they would feel like against my skin, what they taste like, what they would look like swollen from my kisses.
And don’t even get me started with her curves.
A slight blush appears on her cheeks, and I realize she caught me checking her out. She might just be as affected by me as I am her.
Moments have passed, and neither of us speaks. Who is this gorgeous brunette, and why is she on my front porch? I raise an eyebrow at her, seeing if she is going to talk first. I realize I haven’t said anything either, but she has me a little speechless.
“I’m sorry, I must have the wrong place. I was looking for my brother, Zach Jacobs.”
Oh, fuck. No way!
I’ve seen plenty of photos of Zach’s little sister over the years, but this woman is definitely not the same girl whose pictures are on the wall in our living room. How did I not see the resemblance before? I smile at her.
“You’re Danielle?”
She shrugs, as if she’s unsure of her own identity. “Dani, yes.”
I extend my hand to shake hers. “I’m Kyler, Kyler Lawson, your brother’s best friend.”
She places her hand in mine, shaking it, and I feel a jolt of electricity rip through my body.
She’s staring at me still. Was it something I said? I look down and realize I’m standing in the doorway shirtless. Do I make her nervous? I need to tell my dick to stand down before this introduction turns a little embarrassing.
“Zach should be home any minute. He got held up at work,” I try to reassure her. “Why don’t you come in?”
I open the door wider and step to the side to allow her to enter the house. As she walks past me, I inhale a whiff of her scent, and it’s almost intoxicating. I need to relax.
“So, you just hang out at my brother’s house when he’s not here?” She tilts her head, confused.
Oh right, Zach explained that he forgot to mention two rather essential facts about his life now on the phone—that I live here, as does Haylee, who also happens to be not just his sister’s best friend, but the love of his life.
Don’t mention Haylee, don’t mention Haylee, I tell myself over and over.