Page 6 of Ruined By the Hunk

“What do you think?” I ask her, putting my pizza on the plate.

“It’s delicious,” she answers with a smile. “Thank you for doing this Hunter. It’s really sweet.”

I’m not feeling especially sweet at the moment, but I’ll take the win. I’ll do whatever I can to spend time with this gorgeous woman.

Chapter 4

Hunter

It’s beena week since our pizza night and I haven’t seen Alice since. Not a single glimpse. She’s avoiding me again and I don’t know why. I don’t think I did anything wrong. She could just be getting ready for the school year, but wouldn’t I have seen her coming and going? I’m not too proud to admit to myself that I have watched for her— a lot.

The only thing I haven’t done is knock on her door. I don’t want to spook her and haven’t had a reason to bother her. But, thanks to her fantastically devious cat, I have a reason today.

“Splat, buddy, you need to stop sneaking out. It’s dangerous and scares your mom.” I talk to the cat as we walk to Alice’s front door. “But, between you and me, I’m glad you came to see me today. I wanted to see Alice and you’re a legit reason.”

“Meow,” Splat answers and digs his paws into my arms. He’s a very cuddly cat and I like snuggling with him. I talk about getting a pet of my own, but I love them all and haven’t been able to commit to a dog or a cat yet.

Knocking on the door, I pet Splat and listen to him purr. I really hope Alice is home and not out somewhere. I have to leave soon for my family’s Sunday dinner and it’s Harper’s first time hosting so I don’t want to be late.

The door opens slightly, and Splat jumps out of my arms and into the house.

“Hi, Alice,” I say.

“Thank you for bringing him back, Hunter,” she says and then closes the door.

That’s it.

I knock again, but she doesn’t come back to the door. I’m worried about her, but surely if something was wrong she would have said something. Maybe she doesn’t feel good.

“Alice, I hope you can hear me,” I yell through the door. “If you need anything I’m going to leave my number on your door. I’m going to my brother Miles’s house for the afternoon but can be here in less than ten minutes. Please let me know if you’re okay. I’m worried.”

I quickly return to my house and write my number down along with Miles and Harper’s number and my parents’ number. She may not need all three, but it will be good for her to have them just in case something happens.

I take the note and stick it with painter’s tape to her front door, feeling a bit of déjà vu. This is twice now I’ve left notes on her front door. I want to stay and make sure she’s okay, but it’s not my right and I don’t want to upset her. Walking away from her door, I see the curtains swish in her window. A smile spreads across my face. She isn’t as immune to me as she wants to be.

My brother’s house is the usual chaos of a family dinner. I walk up and hear Miles getting the third-degree about why he’s grilling and confusion about why Harper is taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Miles and I are close, and I pick up on his panic from across the yard.

“Miles St. James, I have a major problem with you and your wife.” I storm across the yard to the grill.

The family all turn to look at me like I’ve been possessed. I’m the mild-mannered sibling who does not have outbursts at family dinners.

“What did we do to you?” he asks me.

“That woman you’ve sold Harper’s house to!” I roll my eyes, and everyone laughs. I try to send my brother a covert wink, so he knows I’m trying to distract the rest of the family. Even though I do have questions about Alice.

“What about her? She’s a librarian, doesn’t have a record, and seemed very sweet. She joined Harper’s book club.”

“Her cat is an escape artist and she’s…” I drift off, thinking about Alice. “She doesn’t like me.”

“A woman who doesn’t like Hunter?” My oldest brother, Wilder, laughs. “Call the news stations.”

It’s true that I don’t usually have a problem with women, but I also don’t try to date them either. I also didn’t mean to say that in front of the family. I can feel my cheeks heat as they all look at me. I start to say something else when the door opens to Miles and Harper’s kitchen and Harper walks out.

“I’m pregnant,” Harper announces.

Everyone’s attention is instantly on her and Miles. My brother is beaming with pride as he watches Harper being surrounded by our family.

“You are one lucky man,” I tell him.

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