Page 36 of Home Field Advantage
“He’s kind of a big deal,” Blair remarks. “At least he was back in San Francisco. He was the starting pitcher for the Staghorns. They’re a major league team. And then something happened. I have no clue what because I never followed sports like that, but he stopped playing and took over as head coach.”
“Ohh, a head coach,” Lily murmurs, waggling her eyebrows.
“The team is awful,” Blair huffs out. “Like, really bad.”
“Is that what has you all out of sorts and here earlier than usual?” Lily asks. “It’s not like you.”
She’s right. It’s not like me to be off my schedule.
She might not know the extent of my routine and how structured I am, but…new things are scary for me, so I like having a plan. I’m not good when things change at the last minute.
Which is why I got ready and left my house earlier than I normally would, determined to maintain my routine and avoid another run-in with my dangerously attractive neighbor. Now, I need to add a new thing to my daily list.
Avoid the hot neighbor at all costs.
Can’t wait to check that one off.
“I didn’t know he was my neighbor until this morning,” I admit. “I didn’t put two and two together when Nan wasrummaging on the property next door for a few weeks, or when I saw a black Tahoe parked out front. We always know when someone’s new in town. Like everyone knows about it.” I look at Blair because she was once the new person in town. “No offense.”
She holds up her arms. “None taken.”
“I should have known it was him. And I was doing morning yoga on my back deck the way I always do, and he was standing there—watching me.”
Lily practically growls. “That’s so hot.”
Throwing my head back, I groan. “It’s not hot. It’s annoying.”
Blair scoffs. “Hot and annoying are not mutually exclusive. Your brother was hot and annoying.”
I rub my temples, already regretting getting here early. “I was having a great morning. I was feeling all the zen. Then, bam. He’s standing there, staring at me. And not in a normal, friendly neighbor way. It made my skin heat up and my brain short-circuit.”
Instantly, I regret saying that much because I never open up like this about men with anyone. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability that I’m not comfortable with.
Blair and Lily exchange a look.
“That’s hot,” Blair confirms.
“So what did you do?” Lily asks.
My brows furrow. “Nothing?” What did she expect me to do?
Lily’s eyes widen. “You didn’t even say anything?”
“Wait, did he say anything?” Blair asks.
I press my lips together, reluctant to relive this morning.
“Poppy,” Lily says. “What did he say?”
I exhale, letting my eyes travel to the tile floor to avoid seeing their faces. “He smiled.”
Blair gasps. “You’resodone for.”
“Game over,” Lily adds before the two high-five, forcing my attention back up.
“Stop it,” I groan. “I can’t do this. Am I mildly fascinated byhim? Sure. In a way that someone might be when a bear comes into town.”
“Or how a hot baseball coach watches you do yoga,” Blair interrupts.
