Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

3. Karlee

“Please don’t run out,” I say to Mittens as I back slowly out Evan’s door. I tried to resist, but the idea of sleep in an actual bed won out. Too many nights on the air mattress have made my back stiff. I was grateful when I got up from Evan’s bed and didn’t feel the same creaks and groans I’ve been feeling all week.

“I’m glad to see you gave in,” a deep voice says from right behind me. I shriek and jump in the air, slapping my hands over my heart.

“Jeez, Evan,” I say, turning to face him. “You scared the daylights out of me, again!” My heart is still racing like I’ve been through one of those haunted houses at Halloween. “What were you doing sneaking up on me like that?”

“I’m sorry.” He holds his hands up in surrender and looks down at his feet. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear me with these steel-toed boots on. They’re a little noisy coming up the stairs. I didn’t mean to scare you. I told you I’d be back around now.”

I look at the fitness watch on my arm. He’s right; it’s already 5:30. “Shoot.” I look at him and shake my head. “I overslept and haven’t made the call to the furniture store yet.”

He grins and moves to open his door. “You’re fine. I need to shower and change real quick, anyway. Have you eaten?”

I shake my head. I finally gave up around ten and went next door to climb in his bed. I must have fallen asleep pretty quickly nestled into his hunter green sheets that smell like baby powder and something woodsy that must be all Evan. It surprised me how clean his room is for being a bachelor pad.

“Good, we’ll grab a bite from Beats and Eats on the way. I’m assuming your furniture is at the Furniture Barn in Piney Ridge?”

I nod. “That sounds good. Just knock on my door when you’re ready. I’ll call and verify the hours now.” I pass him the key he gave me this morning. “Thanks Evan, I needed that.”

Evan nods and slips into his apartment, the door closing with a soft snick.

Peanut meows loudly when I open the apartment door. She’s sitting on top of the counter, staring at the door. I sure hope she doesn’t do this all night while I am at work. I scoop her off the counter and head to the cupboard to grab her food.

“I’m off tonight, sweet girl, and I’m getting us an actual bed.” Filling her food dish, I check her water before giving her a rub and putting her down. I look down at the old t-shirt and running shorts I have on and head to the bedroom to change out of my sleep wear. I’d have been mortified if Evan had caught me sneaking out of his apartment in some frilly lingerie. Even if he gave me the key and permission to sleep in his bed.

I slide on some clean cut-off shorts and a tank top. It’s surprisingly hot in Piney Brook in the summer. I’d thought moving a few hours north-west of Rockville would have been at least a little cooler. Nope. Still the same summer heat.

I grab my cell and dial the number from the Furniture Barn card. The phone rings several times before someone finally answers. “Furniture Barn, Freddy speaking. How can I help you?”

“Hi, Freddy, it’s Karlee Richards. I purchased some furniture there yesterday. I’d scheduled a delivery, but a friend has offered to help me pick it up tonight if you’ll be open.”

It feels weird to call Evan a friend since I haven’t known him that long, but he certainly has been friendly since I moved in. Besides Mona and a few other people at the hospital, I haven’t had time to meet anyone yet.

“All right Karlee, I see your order. We’ll be here until nine, not a minute after.” He makes a spitting sound, reminding me of the men back home who dip. I’ve never understood the appeal.

“Thank you so much. We’ll be there.”

I hang up the phone and do a happy dance. “We’re getting furniture!” I scoop Peanut up from where she’s busy trying to eat and spin her around. I’m about to set her back on the ground when there’s a knock at the door.

“Karlee, it’s Evan. Are you ready?”

I put Peanut down and wipe my hands on my shorts before grabbing my purse and opening the door. “Yep, let’s go. Freddy said they’ll be there until nine and not a minute after,” I say, mimicking Freddy’s deep voice.

Evan laughs. “That should work perfectly. We can swing by Beats and Eats for a to-go order and eat in the truck if you’re all right with that? I’d rather avoid the gossip of eating in.”

Evan holds the door open so I can step through. “Sounds good to me. Want me to call it in?”

“Sure, that would be great. I’ll take a burger with everything, and fries. A large Coke, too.”

I nod and grab my phone to search for the number.

Thirty minutes later, we are in Evan’s truck—burgers in hand—headed out of town to Piney Ridge. I take a bite and moan. “This is the best burger I’ve had in a long time.” I lick my lips, grabbing the bit of mayo and mustard that dribbled out when I took a bite. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

Evan chokes on his drink. “I’m glad.” He manages between coughs. “So, what brought you to Piney Brook?” he asks once he finally clears his throat.

I consider how much I want to share while I finish chewing. “Well, long story short, I wanted a fresh start and Piney Brook General had an opening.”

He glances at me from the driver’s seat. “Okay. And the long version?”

I shrug. “You don’t want to hear about that.”

“I beg to differ,” he says before pulling off into a clearing on the side of the road. “Easier to eat if I’m not driving,” he says, taking in my confused look. “This burger is too messy.” He points to the to-go container where lettuce and drippings of mustard are all over the fries.

“I see that.” I laugh and grab a mustard-covered fry. “A delicious mess, though.”

Evan stares at me, making me feel self-conscious. Patrick hated it when I took food off his plate, but it’s a habit I haven’t been able to break. “Sorry, I should have asked before I grabbed a fry.”

“I don’t care about that,” he says flippantly. “Who eats french fries with mustard on them?” He cringes.

I laugh. “Don’t knock it until you try it,” I say, relieved I didn’t put my foot in it already. Especially when he’s been so nice to me.

He shakes his head and makes a face. “No, thanks.” He pops a fry into his mouth and chews. “I’ve got an idea.”

I raise my eyebrow and wait.

“Let’s play twenty questions. We take turns asking each other anything we want.”

“Uh, no,” I say firmly. “That sounds like a bad idea.”

“Come on,” Evan says, bumping me with his shoulder. “If you don’t want to answer, just say pass, and we’ll come back to that one another time. How else am I supposed to get to know my new neighbor?”

I think about it while I finish the last bite of my burger. Wiping my hands on a napkin, I let out a slow breath. “Okay, but I can pass as much as I want to.”

“Sounds fair,” he says, smiling like he just won the lottery. “You go first.”

“How old are you?” I ask, hoping if I keep the questions light, he will follow suit.

“Twenty-six. My turn.” He turns in his seat to fully face me and smiles, popping that dimple out again. “How old are you?”

Good, it’s working. “Twenty-six. Same as you. Siblings?”

He nods his head. “One sister named Tracey.”

I wait for him to ask me about Keeley.

“Why did you move to Piney Brook, really?” he asks, jumping from the simple sibling question right into the purple of my bruised heart.

“Pass.” I turn and look out the passenger side window. “I don’t think we should keep playing.” I really don’t want to get into this with someone I just met. This is a fresh start. A chance to leave the old me and all the baggage behind.

“All right, we’ll come back to it another time.” Evan doesn’t even skip a beat before he slips back into the game coaxing me to do the same. Once he finishes his burger, he puts the trash into the bag and gets the truck back onto the road.

He must sense I’m not ready to open up because after my pass, he sticks to the straightforward stuff. I discover his sister is married with two children. We both like pepperoni pizza and the color green.

“What type of music do you like to listen to?” he asks next.

“Country music is my favorite, especially the newer pop style. Though I won’t ever turn off some Garth Brooks or Martina McBride.”

He shakes his head and makes a face.

“What about you?”

“Nineties’ alternative. I’ve never been big on country music. It all seems so whiney to me.”

“You’ve just not found the right artist yet,” I say, giving him a sly grin.

When we pull into the Furniture Barn parking lot, I realize I know more about my new neighbor than I did about my roommates in college.

“That was interesting.” I let myself out and hop down before he gets any ideas about opening my door for me.

Evan frowns and comes to my side.

“I would have gotten your door for you.”

“It’s all right, I got it.” Patrick never bothered opening a door for me. I’ve always just gotten it myself.

He sighs and motions for me to go first. “Lead the way.”

The Furniture Barn is in a building that resembles an old time barn. The wooden siding faded ages ago, and they framed the big front door with faux sliding barn doors. Reaching for the handle, I swing the door open wide and step into the air conditioning.

“Howdy, what can I help ya with?” A burly man with more beard than visible face greets us at the door. His stomach protrudes over his pants, which are being held in place by suspenders that look dangerously close to snapping.

“Hi, I’m Karlee. I’m here to pick up my furniture order.” I pull out the receipt from my purse and hand it to him. “I called and spoke to Freddy earlier.”

“Ah yes, I remember you.” He taps his name tag, grins and scratches his belly. “You’ll be better off if you pull around to the side there,” Freddy says, pointing to the far side of the building. “That’s where the loading is done.”

“Thanks.”

Evan grabs his keys from his pocket as we step outside. “Hop in, I’ll drive us around. Hopefully, they have someone who can help load the furniture so you don’t have to.” He winks and clicks the button to unlock the truck.

Shaking my head, I climb in and buckle up. “I have no problem helping,” I say firmly once he’s in the truck. “Besides, how do you think we’re getting it up the stairs?”

“I’ve got a buddy who’s coming to help.”

My mouth drops open. Not only is he helping me pick up the furniture, he got someone else to help lug it up the stairs.

“Didn’t your momma ever tell you not to leave your mouth hanging open? A bug’s gonna fly in there.” He laughs as I snap my mouth shut.

“I didn’t know anyone else was helping. I’d have gotten some money out to pay you guys. As it is, I already owe you.” I sigh.

“Nah, you don’t owe me, and you don’t owe Heath either. We’ve been friends nearly my whole life. Helping each other out is just what we do.”

Evan maneuvers the truck up to the loading space and hops out before I can argue. I watch as he exchanges words with a younger employee than dear ole Freddy. The guy nods and, the next thing I know, he’s helping Evan load up my couch and bed onto the truck.

Not going to lie, the idea of having a space to sit and to sleep has me grinning from ear to ear. Watching Evan and his helper load the heavy items into the truck bed is just a bonus. I may have sworn off relationships, but I can appreciate a good-looking man or two, right?