Page 10 of Cinderella Screwed Me Over
I swallowed, forcing from my mind thoughts of how good he’d look shirtless, and reminding myself of the rules that had kept me heartbreak-free for a year. Guys like Nick, they were safe. The guy standing in front of me was the total opposite. “Sorry, but you’ve got two strikes against you already. You work at my favorite restaurant, and you live in my building. That’s just asking for trouble.”
Jake took a step closer. “Or maybe it’ll be convenient.”
“A girl does like to be called convenient.” My voice shook a little, thanks to his proximity. He was tall, too—in my sneakers, I barely came to his shoulder, which meant he’d still have a few inches on me in my highest heels. Forcing as much indifference into my expression as I could manage, I glanced at my watch. “I’ve got to go get some work done.”
Jake reached out and put his hand on my hip, just like he’d done the other night. My skin heated under his touch and my breath caught in my throat. Part of me was screaming,Just go for it, and the other part was yelling,Mayday, mayday, we’re going down!
“Just so you know,” he said, leaning close enough his chest bumped my arm, “I’m an expert on baseball, and two strikes isn’t enough to get out. You need three.”
I stared up into those startling blue eyes of his, and worked at keeping my voice steady. “I’m sure the third will come up soon.”
The wattage on his smile kicked up a couple extra notches. “I’ll see you around, Darby.”
…
“I think you should go out with him,” Stephanie said after I’d relayed the story. The woman tailoring my dress tugged on the pale pink fabric and I almost fell over.
“He lives in my building, Steph. I can’t go out with him.”
“So? I say you go for it anyway.”
I shook my head. “Not gonna happen. You remember what happened to Evan and me. That was awkward forever. I swore that I’d never date someone who lived in my same building ever again.”
Stephanie pointed at my hem. “I think an inch higher,” she said and then looked back up at me. “All I’m saying is you seem to be getting all worked up over this guy. You admitted you think he’s smokin’ hot, and he asked you out again, even though you shot him down onceandcalled him a liar. You’ve got to admire his determination.”
“It’d be admirable if he didn’t live in my building and work at my favorite restaurant.” I groaned when I realized I’d have to avoid Blue. “Where am I going to eat now?”
Stephanie’s cell rang and she held up a finger.
As she talked on the phone, I thought about Jake again. The way he’d smiled at me, how he’d implied he still had another strike left, the way he said he’d see me around. Okay, he’d gotten to me. But all I had to do to snap back to reality was remember what happened with Evan. Back then I’d lived in an apartment complex. After things went sour with him, I had to find a new place to live.
Nope. Stick to the rules. That’s history I don’t want to repeat.
Little MermaidCase Study: Evan/Prince Eric
My Age: 24
Stephanie and I had lived in a tiny, run-down apartment the entire time we were going through college, so after a few years in the work force, we decided it was time to get a place that didn’t smell like cat pee and curry. Drew and Devin, my twin stepbrothers, were helping Steph and me haul all of our furniture and boxes into our new place.
After unloading the truck, Drew, Devin, and Stephanie went on a food run. I had the doors and window to our apartment open, airing it out. I turned on my iPod and started moving boxes around. I guess I got a little carried away with the singing. I was belting out the lyrics along with my music when I looked up and saw a guy standing outside my door. He had an athletic build, blond hair, and a big grin.
Before I could figure out whether to wave or run and hide, Drew, Devin, and Stephanie showed up with the food, and he walked on past our open door.
A week later, I ran into him at the mailboxes.
“Hey, you’re the singing chick,” he said. “Nice voice, by the way.”
I stood there staring, unable to say a word.
“I’m Evan. I’m just a few doors down, so if you ever need anything…” His eyebrows drew together and he gave this adorable half-shrug thing. “Well, I probably won’t have it—our apartment’s pretty bare, actually. But try the next door over because that lady’s really nice.”
I smiled, still working on forming words. Finally, I got a few out. “Thanks for the tip. I’m Darby, by the way.”
He gave me The Nod. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
After that, we bumped into each other on a regular basis: at the pool, the laundry room, while taking the stairs instead of the elevator. We’d have short conversations about our days; laugh about Gertrude, the old lady who walked her cat on a leash; or complain about the neighbor who cooked something that smelled awful and permeated our half of the building. Of all the people who lived in my complex—except Steph, of course, who was logging so many hours at her job I hardly saw her—I knew Evan the best. Things were easy between us. We clicked.
One night, after an especially stressful day at work, I went down to soak in the hot tub. The jets shut off, and I sat there with my eyes closed, trying to gather the energy to get out and restart them. Before I’d psyched myself up to brave the cold air, the bubbles started again. I opened my eyes to see who I’d be sharing the hot tub with.
