Page 23 of Girls Will Be Girls
“I think it’s more likely Casey thought we’d want to be neighbors.” I offer.
“We don’t?” He smirks.
“Well.” I nod, straightening my spine and ignoring his comment. “Good night.”
I grab my bags from him and head to my door as he copies my movement and walks to his door, with nothing but a bushy plant separating us.
“Sweet dreams.” He says three feet to my left.
Then we both open our doors in unison and go inside. I huff out the biggest sigh as soon as my door is closed behind me.
I feel triumphant. I feel like I did something impossible.
The booze has made me weak.
I turn on some lamps, and I’m pleasantly surprised by how cute this place is. It has a real, authentic wooden smell to it, like I walked into a sauna — minus the heat now thankfully. There’s a small kitchen right by the front door and a surprisingly modern bathroom slotted behind it, both of which are tucked under some steep stairs to a mezzanine. Up in the mezzanine loft, there’s a comfy-looking queen bed and what I think will be a stunning view out of the high windows looking out the back once it’s light again. The rest of the house is taken up by a couch area next to the sliding doors that lead out back.
I heave my bags up the narrow stairs and leave them on the bed. I go back down to grab a cold glass of water before sliding the back doors open to try and catch a glimpse of theview through the darkness. I fumble for a porch light, but large, bulbed string lights flick on before I have a chance to find the switch.
I look up and find Lou standing outside his doors, hand falling off the light switch located exactly in the middle of our houses.
We both look around for a beat when Lou bursts out laughing.
I try to contain mine, but the sound is so infectious. “You’re actuallykiddingme, right?” I chuckle.
“Hey, neighbor.” He laughs.
“It’s not enough we share a wall, now we share a garden too?”
He bites his cheek. “And a hot tub.”
I take in our shared space. It’s surrounded by vine-covered wooden slats that act as a fence on both sides. You can still see through them a little, but they make it feel really private. The fences run down to the water’s edge, which is only a few steps from our doors. We each have some patio furniture on our separate little decking areas, and then in the middle of the plants and shrubbery, built into the deck is a hot tub.
“You wanna get in?” He quirks an eyebrow at me.
I can’t hide the fear on my face. “In there?” I shake my head. “We’re not using that thing. Not at the same time.”
He chuckles. “Why?”
“Why?” I repeat in horror. “Do you know the likelihood of something happening if we both step in there? It’s like a magical baby maker.”
At that his laughter roars.
“Come on.” I laugh too. “You know it’s true.”
He keeps grinning. “I didn’t, but good to know where I stand.” Lou turns to face me, his grin shifting to a playful smirk. “And what about out here? Where do I stand?”
My throat feels tight all of a sudden, hoarse. I lift my fingers in front of my mouth and clear it. I study him. His fiery eyes, his flexing jaw, his widening smile.
“Undecided.” I practically whisper.
“I’ll take it.” He says gently.
We watch each other for a moment longer as if neither of us wants to leave this pressurized bubble we’ve created.
Finally, Lou’s lips lift on one side. “Sweet dreams, Louisa.”
With that, we both retreat to our own sides, and Lou flicks the light off as I slide the door shut.
