MORE THAN FRIENDS -(NEW BEGINNINGS SERIES)-  BOOK 1

"I can't believe this is happening to me."

Looking through the rearview mirror, I see the guy who has just hit my car is now opening the door of his. So, with no other option, I get out.

He is looking in my direction, murmuring something to himself as he makes his way to me, and If I wasn't so furious I would find him quite attractive.

He is wearing a white t-shirt, faded jeans, and an old dark blue converse. Nothing eye-catching, but when he turns to me, his eyes connect with mine and there's something there that is too alluring. They're warm and shy and for a moment or two, I get lost in them before snapping out of it.

"So, how are we doing this?" I say, my arms crossing. Yeah, he is good-looking with his pleasant blue eyes and curly dirty brown hair, but he's still a guy, so I'm sure he'll try to blame me for the accident.

Maybe I stopped a little too abruptly when I realized I had missed my exit, but if he hadn't been following me so close, I'm certain this wouldn't have happened.

"Uh. Good morning to you too," he murmurs, frowning as he takes a closer look at my car.

"Look, I don't have time for this. You tell me how you're fixing my car, I get your information, we get out of here, and everybody is happy."

I know I sound rude, but, man! I really need a shower and my stomach is growling hard, a sour combination for my mood.

That's not how I envisioned beginning my new life at all. In my mind, Greg and I would be starting our lives together now.

Me alone, tired, and moving to a new city by myself where I don't know anyone was not in my plans.

And to top it off, with a broken rear, no pun intended.

Taking a deep breath, I count to ten. I'll not let this accident ruin the last of my good mood.

Well, as long as this guy pays for it.

When I see his eyes going back from my car then to his, I just know he is trying to get out of it, but I'm standing my ground here.

He broke it. He will fix it. Simple like that.

"You do realize it was your fault, right?" he says, tilting his head to the side to study me, and I can't help but notice he has a cute smile too.

"What do you mean it was my fault? You hit the back of my car!" I say.

"Because you stopped without a warning," he says as if I were a child.

Great!

Closing my eyes, I count to fifteen this time. I'm not losing my temper. It's the first day of my new life, and I'm not letting this guy ruin it. Looking from my broken car to him, I smile.

Okay, it's on the fake side, but at least I'm trying, right?

"How can we solve it?" I say before taking a deep cleansing breath.

"Right... Why don't I give you my number? I have this friend who is a mechanic. Maybe he can get us a discount or something. I don't think insurance will cover this."

"Okay, I guess," I say as I take my phone from my bag on the passenger seat. When I turn back to him, I realize he is checking me out. "My eyes are right up here, buddy," I say as I raise my eyebrows.

"Sorry. You have Cheetos all over yourself." He rubs his lips with his fingers as if to contain his smile this time.

"Oh!" I say as I look at my jeans and blouse, hating myself a little for blushing.

After programming his number and taking a picture of his license plate, I head to my car. "Right, I'll call you tomorrow so we can arrange something," I say, going back to my car.

After giving me a once over, he shakes his head. "Yes, ma'am!" he says, with a full smile now.

"Don't ignore my call. My dad is a cop. We totally can find you," I say, before driving away.

From my side rear mirror, I can see him standing there shaking his head.

Damn! This guy is hot!

But he better pay for my damage.

*****

As I drive away, I stop at a grocery store on my way to my new home. I'm exhausted and I'm sure I'm smelling after six hours driving, but I need to eat and I have no idea where to order some takeout around here.

I'm so hungry I could eat a full extra-large pizza... I think and scold myself.

After being with Greg for so long, I stopped thinking about my appearance and my weight. I thought he loved me unconditionally and that our love was strong, that he was with me because of who I was and not what I looked like.

I got a job as a teacher right after college here in Saint Clement and we were going to start new. Everything was going according to the plans we had since we were seventeen and in love.

Humph! Love!

Apparently, the fact that we were each other's first was bringing doubts to him. Then, after six years together, he was suddenly afraid we were too young to be having such serious plans for the future.

Now I question where everything went wrong. How can you be planning your future with someone in a minute and breaking up with your future wife just seconds later?

Anyway, I was never skinny, but I confess I got curvier in the last couple of years. So, while looking through the cartons of ice cream, I'm considering not buying one.

Damn, if it was before, I wouldn't give a second thought about buying food. Why am I doing this now? I was never that insecure and I hate him and myself for it now.

Fuck it! I'm buying the damn thing! I can always work out later!

*****

When I get to my place, my smile is so big I'm afraid I might pull a muscle. It's the first time I'm living alone, and it's just as terrifying as it is exciting.

I'm taking my suitcases and my grocery bags out of my car when I notice hot guy's car parked in front of my building. "What the hell is his car doing here?" I wonder, making my way upstairs.

I'm so eager to get to my new home, hoping the pictures on the internet do justice to it, I don't dwell on him. I was moving in here with Greg and we were going to come here together to check it out, but after the "it's not you, it's me" talk, I decided to move here alone and took the risk of making the deposit to a place I had just seen in photos.

The apartment is in an old building, with only four floors, two apartments on each level, and a tiny laundry room on each floor. It's not the most glamorous place to live, but it seems tidy and organized.

I need to take two trips to get all my stuff from my car and by the time I'm done; I sigh in relief and contentment. Looking around, I see this one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen slash living room and the cutest little balcony ever is more than enough for me.

This place means a new beginning, a fresh start.

I'm going to put my life back in order and be happy on my own here.

Yeah... This is home now.

*****

I still have two weeks before classes start, and it will be more than enough to get myself settled. Yesterday, I was too tired to unpack, so I just had some frozen lasagna, took a shower, and went to bed.

Today, it's different, though. I'm going to make this apartment my home.

After a quick breakfast, I am unpacking and organizing the kitchen when a disgusting cockroach runs in front of me.

"Argh, no, no, Ahh! No, no, no, please go away!"

Jesus, cockroaches can be terrifying on the floor. Do they need to fly too?

"Argh!" I shout, running to open the door when I am suddenly blocked by a wall of muscles.

"God!" I shout, trying to get out of the sudden hold on my waist.

"Whoa! Are you okay? I heard someone screaming..." Mr. Hot says, and I still.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, searching his eyes and trying to catch my breath.

He looks at me puzzled and that smirk on his face is way too distracting for my liking. "I live here," he says.

"Are you kidding me? You're my neighbor?" I say and can't help but laugh.

"I guess so. Didn't you check it on my license?" He chuckles.

"Good! I won't have to track you down so you can pay for the damage on my car, huh?" I try to sound nonchalant, but I'm embarrassed I didn't realize it yesterday.

"Jesus, you are stubborn," he says as he shakes his head. "Is everything okay here?" he keeps going, trying to look inside my apartment, and it's then that it hits me he is still holding my waist.

"Oh. Yes. No- I mean..." I clear my throat, detangling myself from his hold. I can sound hardass when I want, but damn, cockroaches freak me out.

"What's going on? You look a little flushed," he says.

"There's a cockroach in my kitchen," I whisper.

"Okay... They can't hear you. Why are you whispering?"

"I don't know," I whisper again.

"Let me get rid of it for you," he says, motioning for me to wait by the door while he gets inside.

A minute later he's back. "All done, milady," he says.

"Oh, thank God." I take a deep breath and make my way into the apartment.

"I guess we were not properly introduced, and since we'll be neighbors and all..." he says, smiling as he offers me his hand.

"Right..." I give him a small smile and shake his hand. "Alexia Grey."

"Lucas Hart. Nice to meet you." He looks at me while holding my hand, and I am again captivated by his beautiful eyes.

When I realize I'm staring, I pull my hand away and he looks down.

Damn! This guy is too cute! I can see a hint of shyness in him, and it's quite endearing.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asks, looking around the place.

"I will. Thanks a lot. Cockroaches really freak me out."

"Oh, so, she can be polite?" he says, turning his attention back to me as his eyes shine with humor.

"I'm always polite." I try to sound serious, but he raises his eyebrows as if daring me to continue.

"Okay, I can be polite when I'm not hungry, smelly, or have my car hit by someone," I say.

"I wouldn't have hit you if you hadn't stopped so abruptly." He stops smiling to defend himself.

I see he is as stubborn as me, so there's no reason to keep going with this conversation.

"Whatever. You agreed to pay, so we are all set," I say and motion for the door, holding it open for him.

"I didn't say I was paying for it. I said I was getting a discount for you with a friend," he says, clearly trying to tease me.

Oh! So he wants to play dirty... that's fine with me.

"You are so paying for it, buddy," I say.

"Oh, yeah?" He stops in front of me. "And how will you make me?" His face is so close to mine, I can feel the freshness of his breath. I take some time to answer because I'm mesmerized by his beautiful eyes once again. Are they blue? Grey? What is it about this guy?

I don't know how long we stay like that, but when I see his eyes falling to my mouth, I clear my throat and put some distance between us.

"You'll have to wait and see," I say, putting a smile on my lips, but deep inside I am trying to calm my heart that is beating way too fast for my liking.

He searches my eyes for another second before snapping out of it too. Giving me a smile, he walks back to his place. "Welcome to the building, neighbor," he says.

"Right," I murmur, my mind trying to process what has just happened.

I moved here to start over, not to be charmed by hot neighbors.

That's the last thing I need right now.

_____

A/N: I'm so glad you found this story! Are you a first-time reader or a rereader? Let me know in the comments! :D

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- Celeste