Page 13 of Player For Hire
“Off and running?”
She hooked her thumb around the strap of her bag and headed my way. “Yeah, I needed to get out of my depressing bedroom. I sold off most of my stuff when I moved back.”
“So you’re really starting over.”
“From the studs, as my dad would say.”
I grinned. “Sounds like my old man.” I leaned a shoulder against the wall. “What does he do?”
“Real estate.” She rolled her eyes. “He keeps trying to convince me to buy a house now that I’m back in the area, but I’m not ready for that.” She pitched her voice low. “You’re throwing your money away with renting, NeNe.” She pinked up. “That’s what he calls me.”
I grinned down at her. “Cute. Though you’re not much of a NeNe to me. Naomi suits you.”
She licked her lips. “Thanks, I think. Kind of an old-fashioned name.”
“Naomi Campbell would disagree.” I sighed heartily. “My mother loved George Michael and played his videos on this old projector all the time. That Freedom video was…an awakening.” A surprisingly sweet memory, when I had very few of her. Twelve-year-old me definitely had gotten an education with my mom’s 90’s era of music videos.
She smiled—the same one that chased me in dreams—and my chest tightened.
I folded my arms because some small part of me wanted to move closer to her. “Not old-fashioned at all. Glamorous.”
The sweet smile went wide, and the pull turned into a punch. Damn, she was gorgeous.
“Glamorous, I am not. Iona has that one down.” She glanced down at the yellow hoodie she wore under her jacket with cartoon daisies. “She’d have my head for wearing this out in public. She’s always put together.”
“Not always. I’ve seen her on a Sunday.”
“What’s with this Sunday you guys keep mentioning?”
“You’ll find out.” It wasn’t that exciting, but trivia night in the lobby got pretty heated. It was all about comfort and fun and most of us were hungover from our respective Saturdays. I straightened up. “Where are you off to?”
She shrugged. “I thought I’d walk around. Get to know what’s around here.”
“Want to see a cool place?”
She tipped her head slightly. “Maybe.”
“Don’t worry, it really is cool.”
She nibbled on the corner of her lower lip. “I don’t want to keep you from whatever you’re doing today.”
“I was just going to head to the gym. If you don’t mind me looking like a bum beside you...” I pointed to my place with a thumb. “Or I can change.”
“No, you look great.”
I grinned. “You don’t have to lie, but everyone will be looking at you over me, anyway.”
“Doubt it,” she muttered.
I laughed. “Don’t be so sure. Bonus points, this place has coffee.” I gestured her ahead of me.
“Hallelujah. I was going to try and figure out that coffee maker downstairs, but it’s a little intimidating.”
“That it is. If Deb is working, she’ll always make you a cup.”
Her fingers tightened on her bag. Was she nervous or nervous to be with me? “She’s really nice. Kinda took over when I was moving in.”
“That’s my Aunt Deb. She’s scarily efficient. Knows everyone in the building and I’m pretty sure the whole block of businesses.”