Page 12 of Player For Hire

“Not as good as Jimmy’s over on Lancaster. I’ll bring you there one night, but it’ll do.”

“You’re going to have to tell me the good food places. I’m not much of a cook.”

“Me neither, sister.” There were a handful of people who looked as if they were trying to soak up some of their Thursday night drinks too.

Luckily, the guy behind the counter was quick and the New York style greasy cheese hit the spot. We laughed over old stories as we ate, and the first sense of rightness settled on my shoulders like my favorite blanket.

I hadn’t been sure about moving back to New York. Some of it echoed of failure, but maybe I needed to restructure that narrative.

Maybe it was a new start.

By the time we got back to our apartment, the carbs and grease and drinks lulled me into sleepy contentment.

I’d go back to job searching tomorrow.

Or maybe Monday—like Iona had said.

Give us a few days to just be Naomi and Iona. Just like the old days.

CHAPTER 5

COLDER

The rain was back in full strength. I woke to it, teeming along the skylight.

I flung my arm over my head, contemplating rolling over and sleeping the rest of the morning away. Sleep had been elusive, cut with dreams of summer blue eyes and a secret smile.

Naomi—still of the unknown last name—had snuck in unannounced.

I wasn’t one to remember dreams. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I actually dreamed some nights, though science said otherwise. I was the guy who came home, and faceplanted after a long night’s work—no muss and definitely no overthinking fuss.

Until last night.

She kept walking away from me. Just out of reach, and always with that secret smile. Disappearing around a corner, melting into a crowd, and the final one of her escaping behind a closed door of the elevator.

I didn’t even have a reason for why she put me out of sorts.

She was just a girl. A stranger for all intents and purposes.

I didn’t have any hangups about women. I dated when I felt like dating, fucked when the needs arose, and I found someone as interested in me as I was with them. I’d even had a handful of relationships since I moved back to Kensington Square.

I liked easy. Sought it out because as far as I was concerned, women should be in the plus column of your life. Drama need not apply. I’d earned easy after my childhood.

I’d even loved a time or two.

Maybe not the big love that movies tried to push on a body, but easy and fun.

Naomi of the summer sky eyes shouldn’t be tripping me up.

I flicked the lightweight blanket off and rose. Obviously, sleep wasn’t going to happen, and I was tired of obsessing over her. Maybe a run was in order. This rain was a bit too much even for me, but handily, our swanky apartment building came with a gym.

I didn’t relish the idea of running on the treadmill, but maybe a few episodes of the animated Batman would push out thoughts of my new neighbor.

I pulled on a pair of joggers and my Batman T-shirt to go with my mood. It was old and stretched out with holes along the hem from my brother’s crazy cat who loved to climb all over me during my visits.

While I was locking my door, my dream girl was doing the same. Had I freaking conjured her? She had her bright pink raincoat on again, along with the lemon bag from our first meeting.

She turned away from her door and noticed me, her fingers immediately tucking a lock of that russet hair behind her ear. “Hey, Colder.”