“Well, just keep being yourself. You’ll win him over eventually.”
I stretch my legs out, feeling the weight of Grandma’s confidence settle on my shoulders. “We’ll see. For now, I’ll just focus on surviving another week of passive-aggressive glares.”
Grandma’s laugh is light, but there’s a seriousness in her tone. “You’ll do more than survive, Noelle. Trust me, it’s only a matter of time.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I mutter, smirking. Still, I can’t help the little huff of amusement that escapes me. Grandma’s faith in Jacob is odd. Almost suspicious. But I’m fairly certain she’s wrong. That man would rather drown in his own grumpiness than share a meal with me or any other human.
“And how are you doing, sweetie?” Grandma asks, her voice softening. “How’s the neighborhood treating you? Other than Jacob, of course.”
“It’s been good. Different from Maple Ridge, obviously, but not as scary as when I spent four years here for college before heading to North Carolina for my master’s degree.” I glance toward the window, taking in the busy city below. “It’s big and loud, but it’s exciting. I found this great coffee shop just down the street, and guess what? They hired me part-time.”
“Oh, I know the place. It’s cozy, and the owners are lovely. But with your new job starting tomorrow, are you sure you won’t be overworking yourself?”
“I’ll manage,” I say, trying to sound confident. I juggled worse in college—how hard can this be now that I’m not drowning in homework and deadlines? “It’ll keep me busy, which is good, right? I’ll get to meet people, get to know the neighborhood better. And, honestly, it’s kind of fun.”
“Well, just make sure you’re not spreading yourself too thin. And don’t let Mr. Grumpy next door stress you out too much.”
I laugh. “I’ll be fine. It’s just . . . weird, you know? Everything feels new. I love the energy here, but sometimes I miss the quiet.” Back in college, Dad would pick me up, or I could hop on a train and be home in a few hours. I’d flee for a weekend when things got overwhelming.
Now? There’s no quick escape back to Maple Ridge. And honestly, I’m not planning on heading back for at least a year—if ever.
“I understand, sweetheart. New York can be overwhelming, but once you settle into your routine, it’ll feel more like home.” She pauses, then lowers her voice like she’s about to share state secrets. “And as for Jacob, remember—men like him are usually suckers for cookies.”
“Cookies?” I sit up, grinning. “Grandma, if I bake him one more thing, I think he might actually explode.”
She chuckles. “Maybe. But trust me, a well-timed cookie can do wonders. Just keep being your sweet self. He’ll come around.”
“Thanks for the advice, Grandma,” I say, resisting the urge to argue. Now it seems like she’s obsessed with the fact that I can convert him into a civilized person. “I just hope you’re right about Jacob. He’s as warm as a glacier.”
“Oh, I’ve seen it before. He just needs the right person to melt that ice,” she says, as if it’s the simplest thing in the world. “And I think that person is you.”
I snort. “I’m not interested in melting anyone, just in keeping him in check—and maybe teaching him some manners.” I pause, suspicious now about her advice. “Okay, I’ve gotta go. I’ll try and call you tomorrow to tell you how the first day goes and if not, we’ll connect next Sunday.”
“Good luck, darling. And if you need anything, just call. Oh, and don’t forget—chocolate chip cookies. Men like him can’t resist them.”
Her cookie obsession is getting weird. Suspicious, even. What’s with her and Jacob?
“Love you, Grandma,” I say, shaking my head, amused. “Talk soon.”
“Love you too, honey.”
I hang up, staring at the phone for a second before glancing at the wall again. Jacob McCallister. I can’t help but laugh to myself. Grandma’s so sure he’s just a tough nut to crack, but I’m not convinced. He’s like the human embodiment of Grumpy Cat—suspicious of everything and everyone, especially me.
Still, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that cookies can work wonders. And if I’m going to live next door to him, and somehow teach him who’s boss, I might just use what seems to be his one weakness.
But first, I’ve got a new job to focus on. And if I’m lucky, I won’t have to deal with any more passive-aggressive comments from the grump next door . . . at least for a day or two.
Chapter Five
Jacob
Since my sistergot married and my brother fell head over heels for Zoe—and they popped out the most adorable baby girl—Mom’s been on my ass about finding someone. To appease her, I’ve been showing up in Boston more often. It’s a lot easier than dealing with her constant calls about “so-and-so’s daughter” or “your dad’s colleague’s niece” or “fuck-knows-who’s sister.”
Am I dating someone? Sure, let her think that. I’ve even hinted at it—casually, of course. It’s a secret, though. Super hush-hush. Maybe she’s the sister of one of the athletes I represent. Or maybe the daughter of my former boss. Who knows? Not her. I can’t tell her because . . . well, because she doesn’t exist.
I know, I know. I’m an asshole for lying about it. But honestly? I’m not even sure if I’m doing it to get her off my back or because it’s easier than explaining why I’m still single. Or worse—why I actually like it that way. Try telling that to someone who thinks “alone” is a dirty word.
That’s how I ended up back in Boston for the weekend. Again. On Friday, I went to the bar with the guys, like we do most Fridays when Liam and Caleb are in town too. Needless to say, it was boring as fuck. The entire night was a circle jerk of “being married is amazing” and “oh, let’s plan a couple’s vacation to some tropical destination where our wives can drink overpriced cocktails.”