Page 8 of Fragile Touch (Fragile 1)
Feeling a mixture of shock and confusion, she wandered back to the living room. What’s-his-name was sitting in the same place, but Gray Cat had jumped onto his lap and was rubbing her face all over his arms. His, to be fair, muscular arms. She hadn’t noticed that before.
“I...I don’t know what to say,” she managed to stammer. “How did I not wake up? Did it take a long time?”
“Only a couple of hours,” he replied, moving his face away from the cat’s tail. “I enjoyed doing it.”
“Why did you...?”
He tickled the cat’s belly, finally getting her tail out of his nose. “I figured if it was just you here, you could probably use a hand.”
Lillian couldn’t think of anythi
ng to say. In a way, the nice thing this party guy she’d sworn to avoid had done floored her. But, at the same time, it brought back her worry of getting close to him. Especially him, since she’d never seen anyone but him at the house except for weekend nights. It was a disaster waiting to happen, she knews. And she couldn’t risk him thinking she was into him or looking for his pity.
“I guess I should say thank you.” She sat down on the couch, feeling slightly awkward in her own house. He looked more comfortable than she did.
“Don’t mention it. Like I said, I enjoyed it.” He chuckled at the cat, whose legs were all four pointed up in the air. “Hey, what’s this one’s name, anyway?”
“That’s Gray Cat. She’s a girl.”
“And the other one?”
“Black Cat. Boy.”
“What original names. You must be a wordsmith.”
“Something like that.” She suddenly found a tiny smile on her face and wanted to slap it off. No, Lillian. Stop it. This is a one-time thing.
She caught a glimpse of the smile on his face before she looked away, starting to panic. “I think I’d better eat something,” she tried, hoping he would leave. There was something magnetic about this guy, despite the fact that she had resolved to be disgusted by his inconsiderate behavior until the end of time.
“Want me to go out and grab something for you?”
She froze in the middle of rising to her feet. No, I don’t. That is way too friendly, and we are not friendly. We’re neighbors, I like my alone time, and you have your fun weekend party friends. Don’t even think about it. “No, I have some refrigerator oatmeal ready. It’s probably extra good now, since it’s been sitting a few extra hours.” She forced a smile.
“Refrigerator what?”
“Oatmeal.”
“Everything about that sounds nasty. I have some salmon fillets in my freezer if you want me to make one for you.”
The mention of a salmon fillet made her mouth water, but she replied, “Fish after throwing up doesn’t sound too appetizing.”
He nodded. “Makes sense. Do you need anything else?”
“I think I’m okay. I’m sorry about your bushes.”
“I already cleaned them up. They were a little shaken up, but they’re fine now.” He winked, and Lillian felt her heart drop. As he stood she tried to turn her eyes away, but couldn’t help noticing how controlled his movements were. He was wearing old, ripped jeans and a white V-neck that was covered in grass stains, and beneath it all he looked to be solid muscle.
She coughed as a last effort to pull herself back to the present moment. Without saying anything, he strode to the front door after giving Gray Cat a last stroke along her back. Lillian followed him.
He stepped out onto the front porch, suddenly turning around just as she reached the door. She looked up at his face as he towered over her, having to focus on his face and not allow herself the indulgence of looking at his body up close and personal.
“We’ve lived next to each other for, what, six months now? I’ve met everyone else, but I don’t even know your name. And this is the longest time I’ve spent at a neighbor’s house since I’ve been here.”
Her heart picked up its pace. They were close enough that she could smell his scent; it was a musky, sweaty, grassy smell, and her efforts to not be distracted by it were failing miserably.
“Lillian,” she answered.
“Is that it?”
