Page 33 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

10

HUNTER

When Kira answers the door, I can’t help but be the tiniest bit disappointed.

Jessica heard Stella’s voice and the tiny giggling of Harley’s baby before I did. And when I peered out an upstairs window, I watched the scene for a little too long to not be considered creepy. Kira and Amy sitting beside the pool, little Tana in her baby bouncer and Stella making crazy faces to get her to laugh.

I’ve thought about Amy every day, all day since we kissed. It’s gotten to the point where I know I have to do something about it. I just don’t know how to get her alone. How to tell her. Especially when she’s avoiding me. I never see her out drawing in the yard anymore and, if she leaves through the front door, she scurries, clearly not wanting to be bothered.

I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. But I can’t stand living with the feeling in the pit of my stomach that if I don’t shoot my shot, I’ll die regretting it.

Of course, when Jessica asked if we could go over and ask to play, I wasn’t going to refuse. It’s like the girl can read my mind.

No hesitation. Didn’t even bat an eye. Just grabbed my daughter’s hand and marched right over to the front door of the Solace house. I didn’t bother to pay attention to my pounding heart or all the second thoughts I was having.

Is this creepy? Should I stop?

Nope. Didn’t let those questions run my mind for even a second.

Until right now when I’m face to face with Kira and I realize that this interest in Amy is turning into an obsession. I’m going to be the creepy next door neighbor in no time flat if I keep this up.

Lucky for us, Kira’s surprise is overshadowed by her smile, apples of her cheeks tightening. “Hi guys! What’s up?”

My mouth is dry. I can’t seem to form words. And Jessica isn’t one of those precocious kids, like Stella Solace. She isn’t going to speak for me. “I – I’m –” You’re over forty years old, dude. Get it together. “We heard you all in the backyard and –”

“Oh, I’m sorry, are we being too loud?” Kira says, wincing.

“No, Jessica just wanted to know if there was room for one more to…” I trail off; over Kira’s shoulder, I can see straight through the Solace house, through the kitchen to the screen door that leads out onto their patio. And there in the door is Amy, staring back at me, her eyebrows folded in confusion. I suddenly feel very stupid for this whole thing.

“Of course!” Kira answers without me having to finish my sentence. Thank god. “I’m just about to order dinner. You could join us out in the backyard for a bit and then, if you like, stay for pizza too.”

I feel Jessica tug on my hand. I look down at her, find her hazel eyes and hopeful smile. “Only if we’re not imposing,” I reply to Kira.

“Not at all! What are neighbors for?”

Well, it’s clear Amy hasn’t said anything to Kira. Or if she has, Kira thinks Amy’s opinion is wrong and now she’s encouraging us to be closer. I can’t imagine that’s the case. What kind of sister would she be if she wasn’t on Amy’s side? I don’t have siblings, so I have no idea what that feels like, but I’d have to imagine there is some sort of solidarity involved.

“Come on, Jessica. Stella will be so excited to see you. She’ll teach you how to make Tana laugh,” Kira says, giving Jessica a “come on” gesture and starting off through the house.

Jessica starts to follow, still holding tight to my hand. We follow Kira through the Solace house to the screen door; Amy has disappeared from the doorway and is now sitting back in a lounge, acting nonplussed.

“We’ve got a visitor!” Kira announces.

Stella looks up and grins. “Hi Jess!”

Jessica finally lets go of my hand and hurries over to Stella. I’m grateful that, despite the age difference, Stella and Jessica manage to get on just great. Stella’s a good kid, always making sure Jessica is keeping up. I hope they’re friends for a long time.

“Well, two visitors,” Kira corrects herself. “Amy, say hi.”

Amy looks over at me through big black sunglasses. “Oh, hi Hunter.”

Oh, hi Hunter?! As if she didn’t just see me through the door? “Amy. Good to see you.”

She hesitates for half a second. No one else would notice it. But I’m hyper aware of literally everything Amy does, so of course I notice the chasm of her silence and fall so deep into it I’m afraid I’ll never come up for air. “You too,” she replies and then looks in the direction of the girls who are now both seated on their bottom in front of Tana, tickling her feet.

Out of the corner of my eye, Kira starts to move back toward the door to go inside. And I can’t let that happen. Because I need to talk to Amy alone. Not alone in front of the children. Alone alone. I’ve been thinking about her too much to let things go on like this any longer. “Amy! Would it be alright if I talked to you for a moment?”

The world seems to stop for a second as she turns to look at me.

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