Page 14 of New Girl in Town
Chapter Four
“What’s with the stupid look on your face?”
I frowned and concentrated on my cup of coffee as I added creamer to it. “I do not have a stupid look on my face.”
“We’ve known each other for over a decade, so try again, Martínez.”
I groaned but said nothing else, opting instead to take a deep drink from my coffee cup. When all else failed, caffeine was the answer, andall elseincluded enduring interrogation by one’s best friend.
Besides, if I didn’t talk then I could dedicate more brain space to reliving the night I’d spent sitting across from Grant.
I smiled, remembering how the conversation had flowed, how he’d reached across to touch my hand, how it felt like we were magnetized and the need to touch had been overwhelming. Grant had navigated his way to my front door for a kiss goodnight. It had been on my cheek, but it was a kiss all the same. My hand went up to touch the spot on my cheek.
“Hey, woman, I’m talking to you.” Melinda snapped her fingers at me and shook her coffee cup.
I blinked at her, one hand still on my cheek. “What?”
“You’re doing it again. Now park it, space cadet. I’ve only got another few minutes before work, and I know you were out with that boy.”
“That boy?” I laughed, sitting down as requested and leaning back in my chair. “Who are you? My father after my first date?”
She rolled her eyes at me. “I might as well be. Now, tell me how it was.”
“It was really...nice.”
“Nice?” She cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “Your first expedition into cougar town and that’s all you have to say?”
“Yes, what’s wrong with nice? I happen to—” I froze when I processed her words. “Wait, what do you mean, cougar town?”
Melinda shot me a look over her coffee cup. “Aurora...you know what I mean.”
I leaned forward, coffee cup thudding on the table, palms flat against the table. “Explain. Now.”
“You said he was the super of your building. Magnolia Arms, right?” she asked after a second.
I nodded. “Yup, that’s the one.”
“I know who you’re talking about...and well…” She bit her lip, eyes sliding away before she said, “Aurora, he’s a youngin’.”
“How young?”
“Just...you know,younger.”
“Mel, this is not the time to talk in riddles. Spit it out.”
She shrugged and her eyes darted up to meet mine before she looked away again. “I mean, I don’t know—”
“Hisage, Mel.”
“Hesliketwentyeightorsomething.” She let loose a nervous laugh, and I felt like my head had just exploded. “Maybetwentyseven.”
My mouth dropped open. My palms started to sweat. “Excuse me?” I whispered, not trusting myself to talk at a higher volume.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“How do you know he’s—” I sucked in a breath and started over. “How do you know he’s 27?”
“It’s a small town, Aurora. I mean, everyone knows each other. He moved here about five years ago, so he’s been around for a minute.”
