She lifted it, almost embarrassed that she hadn’t the faintest how you would even make a call on one of these phones. Totally old school, her coworkers had called her phone a “dumb phone” as opposed to their smart phones and that was over two years ago. She’d since graduated to one with a keyboard but it was still considered one of the simplest phones out there.

“I don’t get why people need such extravagant phones just to make a phone call or send a text.”

Noah stood up and walked toward her. “Are you kidding? There is so much you can do nowadays with these phones you’d be amazed. I got it for all the apps that help me track my training progress, running, counting calories, you name it. But there is a lot more I haven’t even touched on. I’m still learning.”

Veronica tried to appear impressed but he may as well be talking another language. Apps? In an effort to not embarrass herself by saying something stupid she decided to change the subject. “You hungry? I’m starved.”

“Yeah, I could go for a bite of something.”

She pulled open her pantry. She was dying for a stack of pancakes but technically, she was still on a diet. She’d been known to cheat here and there but with him living here now that was going to be nearly impossible. Instead of reaching for the box of pancake mix, she grabbed the bag of whole grain bagels and pulled the toaster out.

They ate together sitting at her kitchen table. When they were almost done, he asked if she could give him a ride back to the gym to pick up his bike. “My friend has a truck and he’s gonna help me get some of my stuff moved in here.” He must’ve mistook her sudden change in expression because he quickly added. “Don’t worry I don’t have a lot.”

“Oh, that’s not what I was thinking. It’s just that it’s still so dangerous to be driving your bike out in this weather. Maybe I could just drop you off at your friend’s instead.” The second she realized how motherly that sounded, she glanced away licking the cream cheese off her bottom lip. When she turned back, he was staring at her lips. She immediately stopped licking and their eyes met.

He smirked. “Sure it’s actually closer if you drop me off at his place. He’s right over on First Street.”

She cleared her throat and picked up her cup, standing up. “What time did you wanna go?”

“As soon as you’re ready. Looks like the break in the rain will only be for a couple hours before it starts up again.”

She placed her cup in the sink then turned around nearly jumping out of her skin when her hand grazed his arm.

“I’m sorry.” He moved his cup away from her and took a step back. “I didn’t mean to—”

“No it’s okay.” Could she be any more prudish? All she did was touch him for crying out loud! She brought her hand to her forehead. “I was just…”

“I didn’t expect you to turn around so fast. I shouldn’t have—”

“No, no,” God, please make it stop. She could feel her face burning and she was sure he could see it. “Don’t apologize. I just didn’t see you there.”

She walked around him as quickly as she could. “I’ll go get dressed so I can drop you off.”

Rushing toward her bedroom, she prayed he wouldn’t say another word. Thankfully he didn’t. When she got in her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, cursing herself inwardly. Supposedly she was the older, more mature of the two. How could she turn into such a bumbling idiot just from one touch? It barely even counted as a touch. Geez, what he must think of her already. And she still had months of this to look forward to? Good Lord.

CHAPTER 6

After the little mishap in the kitchen that morning, Noah decided he’d be more careful about the things he said and did around Veronica. Obviously, she had her reservations still. The last thing he wanted was to weird her out again and have her change her mind about their arrangement.

Truth was her long soft curls had taken him by surprise. Normally she wore her hair up in a ponytail and he’d never noticed the curls like he did this morning. Then when he was close enough to take in the scent of her hair, he’d greedily leaned in to get an even closer smell when she turned around. To his enormous relief he was pretty sure she hadn’t caught him sniffing her.

The ride to Abel’s was somewhat quiet but he managed to make some small talk. Mostly about the weather then a little about Abel’s truck, but he was now anxious to get her back into the gym where he knew she’d be in her comfort zone again. More than that, he was anxious to know why a woman her age was still alone. She’d been overweight when she first started working out but she’d told him she only gained the weight in the past year or so. Clearly from what he saw now and in all the pictures all over the house she’d been attractive up until she started letting herself go. Even then, when he first met her he didn’t think her unattractive, just out of shape and noticeably self-conscious about it.

As far as he was concerned, she was where she should be weight wise now. But judging from her skimpy breakfast she wasn’t satisfied yet. Based on her reaction to even touching him and the way she still remained far off of personal subjects, him telling her he thought she looked perfect now or finding out more about her personal life would have to wait. He had to take it real slow if he didn’t want her bolting out of the room again.

Abel and the guys were waiting outside his foster parents house when he and Veronica drove up. In addition to Abel, his younger brother Hector, and Gio would all be helping him move his things.