Page 22 of Hollyhocks

“Yes, I only called to make sure you were alive and well.”

“I’m alive,” I state, walking to my mailbox at the end of the driveway.

I haven’t checked the mail in days. It’s one of my worst habits. Nothing good is ever in the mail anyway unless I bought something online. If I get one more damn postcard about the pizza place in town, I’m never going to eat pizza again.

“But not well?” Her voice lowers to concern and a slight whisper.

“I’m well. I promise.” Headlights coming down the street have me turn around. The beams are too bright and force me to turn away. “I love you, okay? I promise I’ll call tomorrow when I get some sleep. It’s not a good time. Give my nephew a hug for me.”

“I love you too and I will. Talk at you later.” She hangs up and I press the button on the side of my phone to turn the damn thing off. I officially no longer want to talk to anyone.

I flip through my mail. “Junk. Junk. Junk.”

“Do you always talk to yourself or is this just a bad habit, Fitz?”

I look up from my gigantic pile of trash when a familiar voice captures my attention. My breath catches in my throat. My heart suddenly finds a different rhythm. My tongue forgets how to form words. The mail drops from my hands and the sound of it slapping against the pavement pulls me from my stupor.

“Holly? What—What are you doing h-here?” I stammer, wanting to kick myself for not sounding more put-together and smooth.

She smiles and I swear, I see fangs. I rub my eyes again and the long sharp cuspids are gone.

I really do need sleep if I’m hallucinating physical traits of monsters.

A man wants what he wants.

She bends down at the same time I do to gather my mail. Our hands touch, and a wild bolt sparks my fingertips and travels through my veins. Her touch alone gives me the bolt of energy I need.

I’m more awake than I was this morning.

“Sorry,” she giggles, handing me a stack of mail.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad to see you.”

“Are you?”

I grin, running my oil-stained fingers through my hair. “I am. It’s been one Hell of a day. It’s good to see a friendly face.”

“How do you know I’m friendly? I could be stalking you.”

I lick my lips, wondering if that would really be so bad. “I think I’d live.”

A flash of horns protrudes from her forehead but the moment she turns to look at the house next door, they are gone.

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint, but—” she points to the house next door. “I just bought this house, so I’m your new neighbor. I guess I’ll be bringing your mail to you, so it doesn’t get so… piled up.”

I tuck the thick stack of envelopes under my arms. “You’re my new neighbor?”

“I am.” Her long hair morphs from blonde to blue but just as quickly as the teal color is there, it’s gone. “What a pleasant surprise to know I have such a handsome neighbor.”

Heat fills my cheeks. I know I’m blushing. I’ve always been a bit bashful when it comes to women I like.

“I don’t know about all that but if you need help moving in just let me know.”

She closes the distance between us, locking eyes with me, before squatting ever so slowly. Holly is so close that her chingrazes my stomach. Then, my half-hard cock pressing against my zipper.

I gasp, and our eyes lock onto one another before she stands up again.

“You forgot a piece.” She holds up another envelope that has a thirty-percent off sticker on it.

---