The Shifter Romances The Writer (Nocturne Falls Book 6) (13 page)

Alex stopped in the middle of putting pancakes on his plate to stare at his brother. “I don’t even know where to start answering that.”

He dropped the pancakes onto his plate. “Actually, I do. I’m not
hot for the shorty
next door. I like Roxy. As a friend. That’s it.” That wasn’t it at all, but that was none of Diego’s business. “And don’t call her shorty. That’s disrespectful.”

He doused the pancakes with syrup. “Secondly, the only way you’re going to rent a place is to save up first and last month’s rent or whatever it is they want these days, but it’s not going to be a small amount. You understand what that means? Saving? It means you have to put money away until you have enough. If you’d been able to do that in the first place, you wouldn’t be living here with me to begin with.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No buts. I’m trying to help you here. How much did you make last night?”

“A hundred and fifty.”

“Great. Give me seventy-five.”

“What? No way, dude.”

Alex ate a big bite before answering. “I’m not going to keep the money. I’m going to save it for you. It’s that or I’ll expect immediate payment for food, utilities and rent. Which right now probably amounts to about thirteen hundred dollars.”

Diego seemed to be considering it. “And if I don’t pay?”

Alex fixed his face into the same expression he used when dealing with a potential suspect. Firm, all business, don’t mess with me. “I’ll change the locks the next time you’re at work.”

“You wouldn’t—you would.” Diego cursed softly. “Harsh.”

Actually, he wouldn’t. “Seventy-five. And don’t lie about your tips because I can and will ask Bridget.”

Diego sighed and muttered, “Fine.”

Alex bent his head and smiled. That had been easier than expected. “When do you work again?”

“Tonight. My next day off isn’t until Wednesday.”

“Excellent. At that rate, you’ll be in your own place before you know it. What are you doing the rest of the day then?”

“Laundry. And then I’m going to lay out and get some sun.” He grinned. “The babes like me with a tan.”

“Nice of you to oblige them.” Cats of all sorts loved to lie in the sun. Feline shifters were no different. But Alex raised a skeptical brow for a different reason. “Just don’t be bringing any of those babes back here, got it?”

Diego rolled his eyes and ate the rest of his meal in silence, which suited Alex. He was being hard on his brother, he knew that, but if Diego was comfortable here, he’d never leave. Alex loved his brother, but he wanted his house back as much as he wanted Diego to get on his own feet. Alex finished his food, put his plate in the dishwasher and went back to his room to change. He needed groceries. Feeding one panther shifter was hard enough, but feeding two meant trips to the Shop-n-Save were almost bi-weekly. He jotted down a quick list, then grabbed his keys.

By the time he came back out, Diego was already sprawled on a lounge chair on the deck. Alex shook his head. Must be nice to be that carefree.

He went out to his car.

Roxy was backing out of her driveway in the Vette, top down, scarf tied around her hair and looking very much like she had the day he’d pulled her over. Hot as all get-out.

She braked the car and waved at him. “Hiya, neighbor.”

He walked over, smiling. The chance to talk to her was an unexpected but welcome pleasure. “Hey. Headed out to get another ticket?”

She snorted in amusement. “Very funny.”

Still grinning, he shrugged. “Just wondering if I should see who’s on duty and give them a heads-up.”

“Aren’t you working today?”

“Yes, but not until later.”

“How did Diego’s shift go?”

Alex glanced at the house. “Good. He didn’t get fired and he made decent money. If this keeps up, I’ll have my house back in a few weeks.”

“That’s great. Hey, Undrea came by and put the first two fish in the tank. It’s a big tank and only two fish, but it’s still pretty cool to see them in there. Swing by before you head to work if you want to check them out. I won’t be gone long.”

He nodded. “I will if I have the time. Tomorrow might be better. Where are you off to?”

“Bell, Book & Candle. The bookstore in town?”

“Yep, I know it.”

“Agnes, the owner, wants to talk to me about a signing. And that reminds me…” She turned off the engine and scooted up to kneel on her seat, which still didn’t put her at eye level with him. “I hate to even mention this, because it all worked out, but Birdie gave Agnes my cell phone number. I don’t even know how she’d have it, but I’m not crazy about that.”

Alex closed his eyes and sighed. “It’s my fault in a way.”

“What? How?”

“The ticket. You must have put your number on it when you mailed it in. Did you fill out the info on the back?”

“Oh, yes.” She slid down in her seat. “I didn’t even think about that. And that’s not your fault.”

He put his hands on the edge of the passenger door and leaned in. “Look, I’ll talk to Birdie. She shouldn’t have done that. It was all kinds of inappropriate.”

“Don’t be too hard on her. Like I said, it all worked out, but…” She sighed. “I don’t want her to hate me. She is a fan.”

“I get it, but she ought to know better.”

“Yeah, I guess. You know what, on second thought, don’t say anything.”

He stood. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Let it go. I’m sure Birdie isn’t randomly handing out my phone number to just anyone. Agnes is a special case. And Birdie means well, I know she does. Just…let it be.”

“Okay, if you say so. But if you change your mind, just tell me.”

“I will. Thanks.”

“Sure. Hey, I’m off to the Shop-n-Save. You need anything?” So long as she didn’t ask for feminine products, he was good. Actually, he
could
buy those if he really had to, but in this town, that might start some rumors.

“No, I just went yesterday, but I appreciate the ask.”

He almost sighed in relief. “All right, have a good one. Oh, and Diego and I will both be gone all night so if you want to use the hot tub, feel free. The side gate is always open.”

“Ooo, thanks, I might take you up on that. See you later.” She started up the car.

“Later.” He watched her go while wishing he could be home to join her in the hot tub. Getting Diego out of his house would be a very good thing, not only because he’d have his house back, but because he’d have some privacy again.

Privacy that might allow him to get to know his sexy neighbor even better. Sure, she was human. But on some level so was he. And that part of him couldn’t deny that he was very attracted to Roxy.

But he understood she wasn’t ready for a relationship. She’d been through a lot. Whatever time she needed was perfectly okay. That just gave them a chance to become better friends. To really get to know each other.

If that led to something more, he’d deal with what that meant then. And if it didn’t lead to anything, that was fine too. They’d still be friends, and his gut told him that was a position she needed filled in her life more than any other.

Roxy walked into Delaney’s and smiled. It was hard not to when faced with so much chocolatey deliciousness. The store was only moderately busy, and another worker was helping the customers at the counter while Delaney sat at a worktable making up boxes. Roxy caught her eye and waved. “Hey, there.”

“Roxy, hi!” Delaney grinned. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. How nice! How are you?”

“I’m good. I just need to get a little box of goodies to take to Agnes Miller, the bookstore owner. She wants me to do a signing there so I’m headed over to talk to her.”

“Very cool. Sure, let me fix something up for you. I think Agnes likes the lemon creams and the vanilla bean truffles.” Delaney grabbed a box and lined it with wax paper. “How are…things? You know, your stress level?”

“Good. I’m feeling better actually.” Especially because she hadn’t seen gills on Undrea this morning. Not that she’d really looked. “Clearly I just needed to relax a bit.” She couldn’t help but smile. “Which I did. In my neighbor’s hot tub last night.”

Delaney’s grin widened. “Are we talking about Officer Cruz?”

“Yes.”

Delaney’s brows lifted as she filled the box with confections. “Is relaxing all you did?”

Roxy pressed her lips together. No, it wasn’t, but she wasn’t sharing that kiss with anyone. “We’re just friends. I can’t be in a relationship right now. For one, I don’t want to be. And for two, Thomas still hasn’t signed the papers.”

“I hope you’re calling your attorney tomorrow.” Delaney closed the box and sealed it with a gold sticker. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I know, and yes, I’m calling first thing.” She wanted to tell Delaney about finding the rose on her car, but knew that would only make her friend worry. She fished her credit card out of her purse. “Here you go.”

Behind the counter, Delaney put the box in a pretty little shopping bag. “Sorry, your money’s no good here.”

“Delaney, no. That’s very sweet, but I have money.”

“I know you do, but you’re my friend. And this is my shop and what I say goes. Also, you’re not supposed to upset a pregnant woman.” She handed the bag over.

Roxy laughed and put her card away so she could grab the goodies. “You’re going to play the pregnancy thing for all it’s worth, aren’t you?”

“You bet your lemon drops I am.” Delaney rest her arms on the top of the display case. “You sure you’re doing all right?”

“I’m fine. I swear.”

“Maybe we can do that spa day next week. What do you think?”

“I’d love that.” She didn’t have the time for it, but that was also exactly why she needed to do it.

“Sweet. I’ll see what they have available and email you.”

“Sounds good.” Roxy held up the bag. “Thanks again.”

“You betcha.” Delaney waved.

Roxy left with a smile on her face. Thomas might be dragging his feet—and playing games with the note and the rose—but that would all resolve itself soon enough. Life here was good. She had good friends in Delaney and Alex and was about to set up a great new bookseller connection. If that wasn’t a fabulous beginning to a fresh start, she didn’t know what was.

All those hallucinations she’d been having were clearly stress induced. More proof that she needed to find ways to manage her workload better. Going to the spa would be great.

She glanced at the bag. She just had to make sure Delaney didn’t pay. It was sweet of her to give Roxy the sweets for free, but a spa day was going to be significantly more expensive than a box of chocolates.

She hopped back in her car and drove to the bookstore since it was several blocks away, then parked and retrieved the goody bag of swag she’d brought for Agnes. That and the chocolates from Delaney would make a great introduction.

The store was adorable from the outside, with a green striped awning that matched the exterior paint. Bell, Book & Candle was spelled out in gold, and the big window in the front held a lovely display of books and knickknacks, but clearly books were the stars.

Roxy walked in and took a whiff. The smell of books was mixed with other pleasant flowery scents. Probably from the candles that were stacked here and there in small groups. Customers were scattered throughout. A seating area took up the front, which also held a coffee station. Beyond that was a small checkout counter, and then rows and rows of bookshelves.

And all the books were faced out, meaning the covers were on display. Very nice. Roxy liked the place tremendously. It was only medium sized, but well stocked and filled with the right kind of cozy feeling. The wall behind the register held a large bulletin board and on that board were pinned cover flats and a list of new releases for the following month.

“Hi, can I help you find something?”

Roxy turned and smiled. That voice belonged to Agnes. Roxy stuck her hand out. “I’m Roxy.”

Agnes made the same shriek she’d made on the phone and then immediately covered her mouth with both hands. “You’re early!”

“Sorry. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Agnes clasped Roxy’s hand and gave it a good shake. “I can’t believe you’re here.”