Page 10 of Beautiful Crazy
Her cheeks flush as she smiles and nods. “Of course, it’s all right. It’ll be ready in about an hour if you want to come on over.”
“Perfect. See you then.”
“Bye, Everett!” Sutton calls out as they disappear inside their house.
As I walk inside my own place, a sense of excitement simmers low in my stomach. Being in a new town and having a hundred things I need to get done, the last thing I should be doing is flirting with my new neighbor, but I can’t deny the pull I feel toward her, nor can I ignore the way it seems like the universe keeps putting us in the same place. Besides, I’m supposed to be starting fresh, I could use some fun. And a friend.
With some time to spare, I hop in the shower, needing one after running around all morning in the heat. It truly feels like an oven outside. The humidity is the one thing that I think is going to take the longest to get used to. It’s just so… stuffy.
Almost exactly an hour later, I’m standingon Gemma’s porch, bringing my fist up to her screen door. It’s Sutton who greets me, a wide smile on his face.
“You can come in,” he says, opening the door and stepping to the side.
“Thanks.”
The house smells incredible, my stomach grumbling the second I walk in. Music plays softly in the distance as I step out of my shoes, leaving them by the entryway. This house looks almost identical to the layout of mine, and as I follow Sutton through the hallway, I take in all the pictures hung on the walls. Pictures of Sutton all through his childhood, a lot with them together, or with other people. If I had to guess, I’d say they’re family. The genes must run strong because everyone looks similar.
Stepping into the kitchen, Gemma looks up from the sink, an apron with hearts all over it wrapped around her waist. A waist that I can’t help but drink in and imagine what it would be like to grab ahold of as I held her close to me.
“Hey,” she breathes, turning off the faucet and drying her hands with a towel. “Want something to drink? I’ve got Coke, sweet tea, water, or beer.”
“Uh, sure. I’ll take a Coke.”
“Do you like baseball?” Sutton asks.
“I do. I’m a big fan, actually.” Taking the can Gemma offers, I ask him, “You too?”
He nods. “Me too. Want to see my baseball card collection? Mom’s been helping me grow it the last year.”
“Sure, let’s see ’em.”
“Cool. Wanna sit on the couch? And I’ll run to my room and grab them!”
“Sounds good.” I glance over at Gemma, finding her already watching me with an expression on her face I can’t quite place. A small smile tilts her lips as she meets my gaze. “When we’re done looking at the cards, I can help with whatever you need,” I offer.
She’s more dressed than the last time I saw her, but no less sexy. Her chest and forehead glisten with a sheen of sweat, probably from standing over the hot stove, her cheeks are slightly flushed, and the shorts and tank top she’s wearing hug her curves in a way that makes my blood heat.
“No need.” Waving me off, she says, “It’s almost done.”
“It smells great.”
We share a glance, and she smiles. “Thank you.”
Sitting on the couch, Sutton flips through his very extensive—and impressive—card collection. It’s much nicer than any collection I had when I was a kid.
“Do you play?” I ask him when he gets to the last page.
“Not on a team,” he replies, setting the notebook full of cards on the table. “My cousin and I play together, but we’re both trying out for a team next month.”
“That’s exciting. Think you’ll make it?”
“I hope so. Mom plays catch with me sometimes to help me get better, but she’s no good.”
Chuckling at how honest kids can be, I glance up when movement catches in my periphery. Gemma’s crossing her arms over her chest, narrowing her gaze at Sutton.
“I heard that, little man.”
His eyes flit between Gemma and me before landing on her. He looks apologetic as he says, “I love you, Mom, but you know I’m right.”