Page 50 of Waiting for Tuesday

But it didn’t sound like a question. I nodded, only because it seemed like that was what he wanted me to do, and I walked farther into his condo.

Ginger began prancing at his feet, and he lifted his chin to gesture down the hall toward the kitchen. “I don’t have much, but whatever’s in the fridge, you’re welcome to.”

I smiled, nodded, then watched as Ginger led him out of the apartment. He closed the door behind them.

I found the braid of feathers in my hair and started twirling This was awkward. Being in his house alone. Being here at all. I turned around to the door again, wondering if I should have gone alongwith him, but he really looked like he hadn’t wanted me to, and I wanted to respect his space. Walking a dog together was something a couple would do. Although I didn’t know what to call what we were doing, a couple was definitely not it.

I shook my head, trying to figure out how I got myself into this mess, then turned toward the kitchen. His home was cleaner than I’d expected. I didn’t think he’d be a slob or anything because he and his crew were pretty clean, but the dark wood floors were actually shining. There was also a faint smell of lemon, mixed with the telltale fragrance of John’s intoxicating masculinity, floating in the air. I inhaled deeply, relishing the smell I couldn’t get enough of.

The kitchen was simple. Stainless steel appliances, white cabinets, black counters. I opened the fridge out of curiosity but quickly closed it. There wasn’t much in there besides old pizza and orange juice. I hadn’t eaten all day, but I wasn’t the least bit hungry. I was alone in his house, nervous as hell, plus, I really had to pee.

I headed in the opposite direction, looking for the bathroom. Searching for a glimpse of anything that would tell me a little more about him. A photo, a poster, a football jersey, but there was nothing. Nothing but a spotless house and a home decorated in a way that looked to have been done by a professional. Large prints on each wall—modern, abstract, nothing that reminded me of him. I don’t know why, but it bothered me a little bit.

I walked past the bedroom that was furnished with a king-sized bed, an office with one desk, a laptop, and a pile of papers perfectly stacked and found the bathroom at the end of the hall.

By the time I was done with the bathroom, I was nervous again. I was sitting on the edge of the couch, trying to keep my leg from shaking, when I heard ringing. A landline phone that sat in the middle of the coffee table. I didn’t have a landline myself, and for some reason, it surprised the hell out of me that John did.

Then I heard his voice blare through the speaker and realized that not only did he have a landline, he also had an answering machine.

“Hey, this is John,you know what to do.”

BEEEEEEEP

“Shit!”I whispered to myself. Who the hell has a freaking answering machine? Then a woman’s voice came through the speaker and I froze.

“Get off your lazy butt and answer the phone, John!”

My eyes widened, and I didn’t know what to do. There was a pause, and I guessed she was waiting for him to answer, but there was no way in hell I was picking up that phone.

“Fine. Be that way.”

I leaned forward to find the off button, but then she started talking again.

“I let Suzy in like you asked. Your house was a pigsty by the way, so I hope you’re paying her well…”

The door opened and John walked in. I looked over, swallowing hard as blood instantly rushed into my face.

“…I was thinking about your little problem, and I think you should go for it. You only live once, and you just never know. Oh yeah, and I bought you underwear, which is probably a weird thing for your sister to do, but I was buying some for Tom, and well… It’s time you started wearing them. Anyway, that’s it. Call me back when you get home.”

Click.

John unfastened the leash from Ginger’s collar and looped it around the banister. She pranced off in the direction of the kitchen, where I could hear her taking a drink of water, but I couldn’t take my eyes off John, where he stood watching me but hadn’t said a thing.

I pointed to the coffee table and cleared my throat again. “You have an answering machine.”

He grinned and stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I like to screen my calls.”

“Oh.” I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Do you really not wear underwear?”

His eyes narrowed and he tilted his head. “You didn’t notice?”

I pushed my hair behind my ear and stood. “You’re avoiding the question.”

He walked toward me and shrugged. “My boys like to fly free.”

“Boys?”

He nodded. “We’re kinda close.”

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