Page 4 of Between Now and Forever
The doorknob shines in the sunlight, beckoning me to grab it and twist.
I shouldn’t. I have a bath waiting for me, a quiet house, and a clean slate with the neighborhood. But as I consider heading upstairs, the pull toward the back deck grows stronger.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this tiny thrill of attraction. I’ve been too busy with life, the kids, and responsibilities to be present in my own world. But I’m here, and the flannel-wearing stud is right there.Would it be that terrible to give in and just enjoy being a woman looking at a fine male specimen for a minute?
Can’t I have just this one thing?
It’s ridiculous—and I mentally rebuke myself the whole time—but I open the back door.
The wood is rough against my bare feet; the sun is warm on my shoulders. I tuck my towel tighter around me and shuffle to the edge of the porch.
Soft country music drifts across the yard, pierced by the ping of tools against metal.
I lean against the rail and pretend to inspect the oversize lilac bushes growing alongside my house. My fingers slip over a heart-shaped leaf asmy gaze slips over his driveway. The music fades against my pounding heart as I wait for him to come back into view.
“Where did you go?” I whisper into the breeze. “Come on. Come back to Mama.”
He rounds the other side of the truck. His sudden appearance catches me off guard, and whatever cool, calm, and collected front I thought I’d be able to pull off doesn’t happen.
He looks up. Our gazes snap together.
I heave a breath.
His stare is potent ...intentional. The intensity is so strong that I flinch. He watches me as unabashedly as I was watching him, as if to say,“I saw you, nosy lady.”
Get in the house, Gabs.
I drop the leaf and pull away, ready to retreat safely behind my door. But as I step back, a piece of fabric gets snagged by the rail. I whip around to prevent the towel from pulling away.
The tug was too much. It’s too late.
There’s a snap.
Then a crack.
There’s a lot of light on a lot of places it shouldn’t be.
“Ah!”
My panicked shriek breaks through the backyard as I topple, bracing for impact.
Oof.
Stems stick into my back and legs. Small branches poke me in uncomfortable places. There’s a joke to be made about the stiff shaft poking between my legs, but the flower dusting against my left breast is distracting.
I scramble to pull the towel across my front and catch my breath.
You’re right, Cricket.I wince.Only me.
CHAPTER TWO
GABRIELLE
It takes a whole two seconds to remember the prickliest piece of this situation:him.
He saw me. There’s no chance in the world the hunky neighbor didn’t just witness that ungraceful splash into the flowers. And if he has any manners at all, he’s on his way to ensure I’m not hurt.
I glance down at the askew towel.
