Page 61 of Jerk Neighbor

An ache in her leg had her shifting uncomfortably. That’s when she realized her laptop was jammed between her sofa back and her thigh. It was open but powered down. She was also wearing fuzzy flannel pajamas.

It came back in a rush. Last night she’d gone with Bastian Spencer to the Neverending Christmas Function. They'd finally parted ways in the wee hours of the night.

She’d turned in soon after letting herself into her condo, but her zippy mind wouldn’t let her sleep. It kept reliving all the moments of the day.

Assessing. Evaluating. Regretting.

Wishing.

Making a big deal of what was probably a very minor event.

She was sure of it, in the cold light of day. Bastian Spencer apparently could be extremely charming when he wanted to, and she’d let herself get swept up in an exciting evening.

In some intense conversations.

A few caresses, embraces, petting sessions. More than a few. They added up. But to what?

They’d left it up in the air, with vague plans to get together today.

A glance at her computer revealed it was barely ten o’clock.

Last night had been so eventful—and Bastian had been so fine—that her body hadn’t wanted to let her sleep. She’d gone so far as to get out her vibrator and power it up. But that hadn’t gone well.

She kept getting all hot and bothered and then just as things were ramping up, she’d think,call him. He’d come over. Get him. Call him. He’d do this for you. He’d do more.

And her body wantedthat. Not a quick release.

Finally she’d tossed aside the thing in disgust, marched into the living room, and gotten started on a commission. It wasn’t due for months, but why wait?

She let herself get caught up in work, let her brain fixate on problems itcouldsolve.

It wasn’t like her to crash on the job, but somewhere in there she must have fallen asleep.

A scramble for her phone showed several missed messages from her family and friends. The messages filled her in on the festivities, wished her a merry Christmas, asked her how her date went, asked her how her date went, and yet again asked her how her date went.

Normally she’d call everyone back immediately. Today she found herself reluctant to talk and opted for text rather than answering a million questions.

Before replying, she stumbled off the sofa over to her stereo system and put on her favorite Ella Fitzgerald Christmas album on infinite loop. Then she made a quick bathroom stop before sprawling out on the sofa.

To her mother:

Merry Christmas! Are you staying off your knee? Cute video, loved the girls and Luke dumping wrapping paper on Cassie. Her expression! The party was at the Spencer Mansion. You’d like it, I’ll bring you on the tour if you start wearing your knee brace (hint hint). He was nice, but it’s nothing serious. Did Dad tell you I’m trying to get there for New Years? DON’T get your hopes up.

To her father:

Merry Christmas! Sorry I cut you off last night. Keep your fingers crossed I can get there but don’t get your hopes up. And the date was nothing serious.

To Owen:

Hate that I missed you both. Are you hanging around Seattle or going straight home? Small chance I might get there by Jan 1. The date was fine, nothing serious.

To Calvin:

Merry Xmas. Did you get mom fitted with her knee brace? Shared your movie list with people @ party. I liked the guy fine but it’s nothing serious. No, he doesn’t do trails far as I know.

To Jennifer:

Merry Christmas to your dad half and Happy Snowman Day to your mom half. Sister you do know it’s not normal to send greetings in English, FrenchandSpanish? Did you meet Owen’s lady? No, I don’t miss anything about that place and you have my blessing. The TineeSoft men are all yours. Datewise—stop telling everyone it was serious, thank you SO much. We supposedly have plans to get together today but I’ll probably end up streaming video instead. Hey, do you think I should move back home?

---