Illusive

Laughing, I said, “Some weeks, yes. And contrary to what you may think, I do go out with my friends a lot. But I need a night to myself tonight. I had too many conversations today and just need some silence.”

Silence filled our conversation for a moment before she said softly, “I wish I’d known you back then. I can imagine that you would have been really cool to hang out with.”

Sadness washed over me at her words. Magan and I had only discovered each other existed six months ago; we’d missed out on so much together. “I wish we’d known each other, too. But we’ve got the rest of our lives and we’re going to spend so much time together that you’ll get sick of me soon enough.”

“I don’t think I could ever get sick of you.” The jagged tone of her voice made my heart break for her because I knew the same heartache and disappointment she did. Our mother had a lot to answer for.

Trying to change the spirit of the conversation, I asked, “So, how’s your job hunting going?” She’d been struggling with writing her resume and I’d tried to help her with it because God knew, her foster mum didn’t care enough to help.

“Ugh.”

I frowned as I took a sip of the wine I’d just poured. “Magan, you are doing that resume, right?”

“Yes,” she said, but my sister always failed when she lied, and I heard the hesitation in her voice.

“Magan?” My voice was firm; she needed someone in her corner, pushing her, and I’d been more than happy to assume that role over the last couple of months. Surprisingly, she’d allowed me to take it on. I figured that had to do with her need to feel someone in her life cared enough to be thinking of her.

“Sophia,” she answered me in the way she often did when I quizzed her like this. And then, when I didn’t speak again, she sighed, and said, “Fine, I’m doing the damn resume. Are you happy now?”

I smiled to myself. “Yes.”

She made a noise as if she was pushing herself up off her bed. “I’m going now… to work on my resume. I’ll catch you later.”

“Okay, babe. Make sure you call me if you get stuck. I’ve written some good resumes in my lifetime.” I took my glass of wine and padded into my bedroom.

“I bet. You know, I looked at your school reports; you did well in everything. You’re like the older sister no one could ever compete with.”

“Well, the one thing I can tell you is that it doesn’t always matter how well you do in school. Life happens and plans go out the window, so just do your best and don’t stress too much, okay?”

“You’re going to make an amazing mother one day,” she said. And then – “I’m really going now. Bye.”

I dropped my phone on my bed and smiled to myself again. Having Magan in my life made my days better, and I loved talking to her. The day she’d shown up outside my office and told me I had a sister would always be etched in my memory.

One of the best days in my life.

Taking a sip of wine, I searched through my wardrobe for something to change into while I cooked dinner. Settling on a pair of denim shorts and a red tank top I loved, I quickly changed and headed back into the kitchen. As I opened the freezer to grab the steak, a knock on my front door pulled me away.

Less than a minute later, I stood in my doorway, looking at the man from across the road. Unfortunately, he’d thrown a t-shirt on, but it did little to hide the muscles underneath. Upon closer inspection, I realised he’d had a shower. His towel-dried hair caused visions of him in the shower to flash through my mind.

Damn, it had obviously been too long between men for me. I was drooling over this guy like I was a teenager.

“Shit,” he said when I opened the door, recognition dawning on his face. Those beautiful green eyes of his failed to hide his surprise at seeing me.

“Not the usual way someone greets me when I answer my door to them,” I said with a smile. Goddamn, he was even more gorgeous in the daylight and up close.

His brows pulled together. “How long have you lived here?”

“About six weeks,” I replied, wondering where this conversation was leading, but enjoying the sound of his voice and more than happy to continue listening to it. He had one of those deep voices I loved, the kind of voice I imagined would sound commanding and hot as hell when he was bossing his woman around during sex.

Jesus.

Get a grip, woman.

“Figures,” he muttered. It looked like he was connecting dots in his mind.

“What figures?”

“I hadn’t realised Bev had moved out but I’ve been distracted with work for the last two months, so that’d be why,” he answered, and he seemed distracted while he put all that together.

“So, handsome, what can I do for you?” Not that I wanted to hurry this along or anything.

He stared at me for a beat, seemingly surprised at something I’d said, but quickly recovered, and said, “Have you met Josie from across the road, yet?”

I nodded. “Sure have. She’s a gorgeous lady and has been really welcoming to me.”

He took a moment before explaining further, his voice holding hesitation. “She asked me to come across and see if you have any gravy powder. She’s out.”

I fought the grin trying to force itself across my face. He seemed as if he was uncomfortable to be asking me for gravy. “Sure, I’ll check if I’ve got some.” I turned around and called over my shoulder, “Come in.”