Page 66 of Undeniably Enemies

“Mayme. Yes, I know who you are.”

He played basketball for Boston and helped us to win two championships. He retired five or so years ago. He was also one of the first openly gay players.

“Yes. I live upstairs, right over your place.” He points at the ceiling.

I shake his hand and try not to wince at his strong grip. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

He smirks and leans against the doorway, filling the entire thing up even as he casually folds his arms. “Wren is in the shower. I woke her up so she could make me maple pecan pancakes the way my nana used to. I swear, Wren’s are the closest I’ve had since Nana died.”

“Wren cooks?” I don’t know why this shocks me. Maybe because I’ve always thought of Wren as a rich, spoiled brat, and rich, spoiled brats have things like personal chefs or expensive catered meal plans.

Tyson laughs. “Wren is an amazing cook, but her baked goods are something else.” He gives me a once-over, sizing me up. “If you don’t know Wren all that well, why are you knocking on her door this early on a Saturday?”

“I’m actually her older brother’s best friend, so I do knowher. Just not as well as I thought I did.” The truth of that hits me as hard as the text I never sent her last night.

“Mm-hmm, and that explains the barking jealousy I heard through the door when you thought she had a man here at this early hour?”

I smile. I like Tyson. He’s no bullshit. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I simply came to return a bracelet she left in my apartment last night before I leave for my run.”

I get another once-over, and I’m not sure he likes me back just yet.

“She left her bracelet in your apartment last night?”

I realize how that sounds, and it’s not good. “The clasp broke and must have fallen off. I found it and fixed it for her.”

“You fixed her bracelet that fell off her wrist and are returning it?”

“Why are you repeating everything I’m saying as a pointed question?”

“Oh, honey, I think you know why.”

With no real answer I intend to give, I reach into my pocket and retrieve Wren’s bracelet. “Here. Would you make sure she gets it?”

“Absolutely not.” He waves my hand away. “I’ll have Wren make my pancakes tomorrow. Wren?” he calls back into the apartment. “I’ve decided brunch tomorrow works better.”

“What?” Wren cries out from her bedroom. “Why? I’m almost ready.”

“Because our hot new neighbor is here to return the bracelet you left at his place last night. But you take your time getting ready, girl. It’s good to make a man wait.”

“Just take the bracelet and shut the door in his face,” Wren gripes, and I can’t help but chuckle.

Tyson turns back to me. “She doesn’t like you?”

I shake my head. “No, sir, she doesn’t.”

“Hmm.” He taps the toe of his sparkly shoe. “And you moved in next door to her?”

“It wasn’t intentional.”

“But you don’t hate her.”

It’s a statement and not a question, and I answer with yet more of the honesty I’ve come to dislike. “No, I don’t. Not anymore at least.”

“It seems you’ve got your work cut out for you. But something tells me you’re a man who doesn’t mind a little extra work when the situation calls for it.” He eyes the bracelet in my hand and walks past me into the hallway and up the stairs. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Jack. I’m positive I’ll see you around.”

“Bye, Tyson. Thanks for the help.”

He laughs at my sarcastic tone. “It’s what I’m here for. Now get your gorgeous ass inside that girl’s apartment and shut the damn door.”

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