Page 9 of Pro Gamer's Aim

My cheeks heat. What am I thinking, flirting like that with my neighbor? A guy who's almost fifteen years older than me, no less? He must think I'm some dumb kid making eyes at him. He's been around for so long, my flirting must make him feel awkward.

Which... okay, I kind of am flirting. Hard. But it's harmless, right? A little meaningless banter to fill the awkward silences.

Except it doesn't feel meaningless. Not with the way my pulse is racing or the way my skin feels too tight, too hot. Not with how I can't keep my eyes off his arms, remembering how they bulge when he lifts a box. Or his butt, which—yeah, they fill out his worn-out jeans like a blessing from the sun.

Hot.

"Right." I clear my throat, staring resolutely at the bare wall instead of him. "I guess you should. But you probably would need a change of clothes… And you'll only be there for a few hours before you have to come back. It seems like a waste of time and money, to me."

Asher's internal struggle plays out across his handsome features. His brow furrows, those heavy eyebrows drawing together as he seems to weigh his options. Stay or go?

My heart hammers in my chest, the sound pounding in my ears. Why do I care so much what he decides? It's not like I'm actually trying to seduce my new neighbor or anything. That would be crazy... right?

Except a part of me, some deeply buried, long-neglected part, very much wants him to stay. To keep bantering back and forth, trading barbs and smiles until the awkwardness melts away and we're nothing more than two people enjoying each other's company. No age gaps or misunderstandings. An easy, enjoyable connection.

God, it's been so long since I've felt that spark with someone. The giddy rush of attraction, of wanting to lean in closer and let the tension build. Max was right—I have been living like an old lady, too focused on work and my routines to put myself out there.

But this... this could be the universe's way of shaking things up. Of giving me a nudge back into the dating world, however unexpectedly.

My neighbor's a good guy. He saved me from a murderer. I mean, I wasn't being murdered, but he didn't know that.

Asher shifts his weight from one foot to the other, the movement drawing my gaze. He really does fill out those jeans nicely. The thought has me flushing, heat creeping up my neck.

Down, girl. He probably thinks you're some silly kid with a crush.

Except when I chance another look at his face, I don't see any pity or condescension there. Only consideration. Like he's thinking it over.

"You make a fair point," he finally says, his voice low. He drops his hand from the doorknob, and a tiny thrill courses through me. "Might as well save the hassle of checking into a hotel for a few hours."

Victory.

The immediate urge is to pump my fist to celebrate my win, but I settle for a small smile instead. Play it cool, Sam. "Perfect. We can order a pizza or something?"

The suggestion seems to ease any remaining tension in his shoulders. "Pizza? At midnight? Is there a place around here?"

"There's one. it's amazing. Perfect for all the crazy people who game all night." Like me.

"Sounds good to me. You like pepperoni?"

"Is that even a question?" I scoff, feeling more like myself now. The silly, flustered girl fades away as our banter resumes. "Pepperoni is a way of life."

Asher chuckles, running a hand through his dark blond hair. It's messy from what was likely a long day, and falls in the faintest waves that I'm jealous of. My hair is stick straight. Boring. "Guess I had you pegged wrong. I figured you for more of a veggie lover."

"Oh, I can do vegetables." I waggle my eyebrows at him in an exaggerated leer. There's only one vegetable that comes to mind right now, and it's a purple emoji that gets overused. A lot. I refrain from mentioning it, because I'm trying to go for subtle.

Maybe even mature.

Sexy, yes. Definitely wouldn't mind sexy.

What I don't want is for him to think of me as a kid.

Even so, I can't stop the next words out of my mouth, throwing me straight into the land of innuendo. "But I definitely prefer a big, meaty pizza."

Asher's eyes go comically wide for a split second. Then his lips quirk in that half-smile that does such dangerous things to my insides. "Is that so?"

Yes.

Yes it is.

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