Page 20 of Unexpected Packages

I was just turning to the next staircase when I heard Nica speak. “I thought you said you didn’t have a girlfriend?”

“What? She’s not my girlfriend, Nica. She’s just a neighbor.”

I knew she said something else, but her voice faded as I reached the top of the second staircase. Did he really think I was just a neighbor? I knew we weren’t dating, and I sure wasn’t his girlfriend, but was Ijusta neighbor?

As I let myself into my apartment, I frowned. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be just a neighbor, but then again, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be more.

It was an hour later when there was a knock at the door, and I set down the sponge I was using to wipe the kitchen counter after cooking. I pulled the door open and was surprised to see Alex.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” He smiled softly. “Can I come in for a moment?”

I hesitated for only a fraction of a second before I pulled the door open and stepped aside. “Did you need something? A cup of sugar, maybe a carrot?”

He laughed as I closed the door. I turned to find him about two feet away. The minute our eyes locked, he stepped toward me, the fingers of his hand brushing over my cheek. “Carrots are not what I need.”

I could barely breathe as I stared into his gray eyes. “What do you need then?”

He leaned forward, his lips almost touching me. “I need to do this.” He pressed his mouth to mine.