Page 9 of Fragile Touch (Fragile 1)
“Warren.”
“Well, Lillian Warren, it’s been much more of a pleasure to meet you than I ever anticipated.” He extended his hand, and she shook it shyly. “I’m Cayden.”
“Is that it?” she retorted.
“Cayden Manos.” The name poured from his lips like liquid gold.
“That sounds Greek.”
“It is.” A big smile spread across his face, revealing his straight teeth. “My grandfather immigrated here.”
“Oh, that’s...cool.” She fumbled over the words, not wanting to make enough small talk that he should be invited back inside. “Thank you for doing the yard, Cayden.” Saying his name made her skin prickle, as if she had learned some secret.
“The pleasure was mine, Lillian Warren.” He executed a small bow and sauntered down the steps.
She stepped backwards, closing the door but stepping aside to spy around the edge. His scent was still here, and he had said her name twice. It did something to her, regardless of whether she wanted it to or not.
She watched the muscles under his shirt flex as he stopped at his bushes and snapped a couple of tiny twigs that were growing out the top. Is he doing that on purpose? He has to be doing that on purpose.
Unable to handle any more, she let out a breath and almost tripped over Black Cat when she turned around. “I’m sorry, baby.” She picked up the cat, whose eyes were fixed on Cayden at the bushes.
Lillian turned around to follow the cat’s stare, and they stood still for a few moments. In one unpredictable movement, Cayden straightened and looked right back at the front door. There was no hiding now. Stunned, Lillian grabbed Black Cat’s paw and waved it back and forth. He smiled and waved back, and Lillian moved away from the door while he was still watching. He could never know she watched him, even if it was just for those few seconds.
Her stomach grumbled. Meds, she remembered. Eat something and take the meds. Think about the neighbor later. No, don’t think about the neighbor later. You’re way behind on work.
She wondered how she would ever get any work done today, when Cayden’s scent still lingered so strongly.
“THANKS, JENA. SEE YOU Monday.” Lillian tapped the beloved red button on her phone screen that meant hang up. For the last two or three years she’d been pretty fully booked with clients wanting her advice on organizing their homes, and now they were beginning to tell their other elite friends about her magic.
Which was great, except she couldn’t fit everyone into her schedule comfortably.
Last year, she wouldn’t have hesitated to work herself half to death. She would have reveled in the constant appointments and projects and feeling of accomplishment when the clutter turned to neat, compartmentalized peace.
Granted, last year the little flare-ups didn’t happen nearly as often. She wasn’t so sick then. She could afford to overwork herself.
Maybe not. It probably would have made me sicker.
She sighed and closed her laptop. With a last long glance at the planner, she decided that she would sleep on the decision to work Sundays.
Not a smart idea, but you’re in high demand, Lillian. Something about the thought made her emit a small laugh. I’ll decide on Sunday whether to start working Sundays. How ironic that tomorrow could potentially be my last day off for a while.
Stretching her arms above her head, she arched her back and felt the blood course through her body. The sun was going down and she saw a few stars out the skylight in the ceiling directly above her head. She was surprised at how much better she felt after eating a good meal and taking her meds and vitamins. She had even remembered to eat a snack and log it in her journal. So far, everything had agreed with her.
Returning to her normal position, she got a tingly feeling on the back of her neck. In her peripheral vision she saw the shape of a person. Her head snapped to the side and she saw none other than Cayden standing casually on her back porch, looking straight at her. Black Cat sat on the floor inside, fixated on him.
Oh, no. Not the back porch. We don’t know each other, man. A sense of dread washed over her and, reluctantly, she walked over to unlock the door.
“Back door neighbors, are we now?” Maybe not giving him a traditional greeting would be a little colder and he wouldn’t want to come over again.
Instead of giving a response, Cayden raised one eyebrow.
Lillian suddenly realized that what she had said could be interpreted much differently than she intended.
“Was that supposed to be a sexual pun?” Cayden asked.
Lillian suddenly felt like she was going to melt. “Uh...no.”
Cayden let out a deep laugh that reverberated in her body. He set his smiling eyes on her. “I literally just saw all the blood drain out of your face. You all right? Not going to pass out again, are we?”
