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  She bit her bottom lip and looked at me skeptically. Olivia lifted her hand and patted Jocelyn's leg. "Mommy."

  "Thanks, Andrew. I appreciate that." The sound of my name on her voice did something to my stomach and made my heart thump against my chest a little harder than what I thought was normal. She moved to shut the front door, my cue to leave.

  "Great, I'll see you later then." I turned and started back to my front door.

  "Bye," I heard a little voice say just before her door clicked shut.

  I climbed the stairs slowly, my exhaustion taking over me again. I flopped on the bed without removing any of my clothes. She probably thinks I'm a creep now. I shouldn't have come on so strong, but how could I not? That little girl was so adorable and Jocelyn. There was something about her. I don't know how a single mother can move somewhere new all by herself with a child and a dog.

  My thoughts stayed on the three of them until the fog of sleep settled in. Finally, I thought before everything faded.

  Chapter 2

  Jocelyn

  I walked down the toilet paper aisle slowly while Olivia tried to open a package of cheese I had put in the cart. I thought about Andrew and dreaded asking him for help. I should have just told him to get lost. But how? He had the bluest eyes I had ever seen and they looked like they were going to pierce me through the heart.

  I didn't like asking for help. After everything that I had gone through, I had learned that the only adults I could really trust were few and far between. I didn't want to get involved with anyone. Olivia means too much to me and I wouldn't do anything that would potentially hurt her. I had left my few close friends behind and that was already a little difficult for her. Adding someone else into our lives only to have them ripped away? I couldn't allow that.

  She needed stability.

  I looked down at my beautiful little girl. She was such a happy child and it would kill me to see her little spirit so broken. She smiled up at me, "Teez?"

  "Yes, sweetie. That's cheese." She furrowed her brows and frowned as her little fingers pulled at the plastic.

  "Open, peez," she pleaded and handed me the package.

  Crap! I should have never taught her to say please. It was too irresistible. I reached into the cart to find something else to distract her and felt a twinge in the back of my head. I reached my hand up and rubbed at the scar that was hidden under my thick hair. It felt smaller than before, but I knew better. I felt a wave of dizziness take over me and had to clutch onto the cart to keep my balance.

  No! Not now. Please, just wait until I can get home and put Liv down for her nap, I thought. Then I could rest and take it easy for a little bit. Andrew would be helping me, so that won't put too much strain on my body. Right? Deep breaths. Focus. Great, now I was relying on a complete stranger when I just told myself I couldn't really trust anyone else. Good job.

  The pain started to subside and my head cleared. Maybe I should call Benjamin and tell him what's been happening the last few weeks. No, he would force me to come back and I can't do that. Olivia needs to grow up far away from all the crap I had to deal with. I will just figure this out later. I still have time.

  My internal debate was interrupted. "Mommy." I heard my girl's voice, excited. "Ooooooh, Mommy!" She was reaching for a box of cookies. How did I get in the cookie aisle?

  "Keekee," she gasped her word for cookie. "Keekee, peez."

  How could I resist?

  Andrew

  I had just gotten out of a nice long shower and was getting dressed when I heard a car pull up outside. Jocelyn was back.

  I peeked out the window and she was reaching in the back seat and pulled out a sleeping Olivia who snuggled against her shoulder. She carried her with one arm while fumbling through her keys.

  Without thinking, I hurried down the stairs. I reached for my front door before I stopped dead in my tracks. Wait, what are you doing? Think before you get yourself into something you can't handle. She is a total stranger. Don't freak her out.

  I stepped back and ran my hands through my hair. It was still pretty wet from my shower. I thought of going back upstairs and getting fixed up, then I looked out the window and saw that she was starting to carry in groceries, by herself.

  "Screw it."

  I opened the door and hurried out, reaching her door right as she was walking back out to make another trip.

  "Hi."

  She jumped back and her hand flew to her chest. "Jeez, you scared the crap out of me." She walked past me to head back to her car. "Hi."

  "Sorry."

  "How was your sleep?"

  I smiled and watched her reach back into her car. "It was… restful. Can I help?"

  She hesitated, but looked back and forth between her front door and the car. The back seat was overflowing with bags.

  "I don't want you to feel weird," I said and put my hands in my pockets. "I just feel bad that no one helped you move in. I can see that you have your hands full with that little one."

  She smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah I do. Thank you. And as long as you aren't some crazy serial killer, I guess you can help me." She handed me the grocery bags in her arms and reached back into the car for several more.

  I followed her into her house and straight to the kitchen. Monty met us at the door and was acting nervous and sniffing my pant legs almost tripping me into the kitchen.

  "Monty! Back off." She shooed him away and he laid down in the corner watching me closely. I set the groceries on the counter and glanced over at him. He looked like he was eyeing me up and down trying to figure out what my intentions were.

  "Sorry about that. He is great with strangers, he just has to figure you out first. He won't bite."

  Monty's eyebrows were a light tan and perfectly drawn on his face, making you aware of every facial expression he could possibly display. One tilted up as if smirking at her last statement.

  "I don't think he agrees with you." I backed up a few steps.

  She giggled softly. "Oh Monty, stop eyeing him down." She talked to him as if he was human and he responded likewise. He looked over at her and widened his eyes. I swear the groan he gave sounded like, 'But Jocelyn…'

  "No buts," She said to him and pointed her finger firmly. "He is a neighbor and you will respect him. Got it?"

  He harrumphed and dropped his head down on the floor in defiance, but obedience.

  Jocelyn turned and looked at me with an apologetic smile. I couldn't help but smile back. "You talk to him as if he is a person."

  She huffed, "Well, when he starts acting like a normal dog, I'll treat him like one."

  We laughed for a minute while she put away a few groceries. I watched her move around the kitchen gracefully and my eyes begged to stray downward to catch a glimpse of… No. Don't stare, don't stare, don't stare.

  She looked over at me and I quickly looked away and around at all the boxes."Can I get started on moving some boxes?"

  "Oh um, there isn't much we can do right now because Olivia is asleep. I don't want to wake her with all the noise, but she should be up in an hour or so."

  I leaned against the counter and watched her finish putting the food away. "I can fix dinner if you are hungry," she said. Her eyes widened just after she said it. "Sorry, that was weird."

  "I would love to eat dinner here," I said quickly before she could take back the invitation. I straightened and shoved my hands back into my pockets. I was itching to touch her. "As long as you tell me you are a good cook. All I have is a three day old pizza sitting in my fridge."

  Her face scrunched up into a look of disgust. "Yuck!" she said and shook her head. "I can't say I'm a good cook. I like what I make, but I'm biased." She pulled out some boxes from her pantry and a pot and pan from a box that sat by the fridge.

  "So how long have you lived here?" she asked.

  "Just a few months. I used to live in Portland. Got sick of all the traffic and people. I figured Banks is close enough for work, but far enough away tha
t I can breathe a little."

  "I know what you mean. That's why we chose this place. It's a nice, clean neighborhood and Olivia can play outside on grass instead of a sidewalk. Plus, it's cheaper than where we were."

  "Where did you move from?" I asked and moved closer to her.

  She pulled her hair up into a ponytail with a tie that magically appeared in her hand and I had to hold back a pout. All that long hair was a haven for my fingers. It's better that she picked it up. She was starting to wash some vegetables and I looked in the boxes for a knife.

  "Oh, um, we used to live in Washington."

  "I see." I pulled out a knife block and placed it on the counter next to her. I could tell that she didn't really want to elaborate and she fidgeted with a few of the dishes in the sink to avoid looking at me.

  "Can I help? I can cut up a mean carrot."

  That made her smile and I wanted to throw my fist in the air in victory. Her smile was like Olivia's, it took my breath away.

  "Sure. Why don't you cut the carrots and zucchini and I'll start the noodles."

  We stayed busy chopping and stirring. The sauce that she was making smelled absolutely delicious and my stomach grumbled loudly. I hadn't eaten all day.

  She asked about my job and what places made me work so late at night. I had worked security for a while and usually covered concerts and night clubs. She got really excited when I told her that I covered a Mumford & Sons concert a while back.

  Her eyes lit up, "Oh I love them! I have always wanted to go to one of their shows. I never have a chance to see when they are coming."

  "They are pretty good in concert. I didn't really get a chance to enjoy the music much since I was in the back more often than not. Next time they come, I'll let you know." They were actually coming in a few months, but I didn't tell her that. "It probably won't be for a long time, though."

  Her smile faded, but she turned back to the pot of boiling noodles before I could see her frown. "Oh, well, don't worry about it then. I don't know where we'll be. Or if I'll even have time to go. I'll just keep hoping, though." Her voice was quiet and I felt a twinge in my chest at her forlorn expression, but she quickly recovered. "So, what made you go into security?"

  We talked a little more about me and every time I asked her about her, she answered quickly and avoided elaborating on her answer. Our conversation finally took a halt when she drained the spaghetti and then put the garlic bread into the oven. I finally got a chance to ask her a question.

  "Do you work?"

  "Yeah, I work from home. I do some transcription, data entry, things like that," she said with a shrug.

  "That's pretty cool. Nice to be home with Olivia, I bet."

  "Yeah it is. She makes it difficult to work sometimes." She smiled as she stirred the sauce and I could see a sparkle in her eyes. It was as if her whole demeanor had changed. Olivia was the light of her life and it showed when she talked about her. "She likes to push the on/off button on the computer. That or switch off the power strip. Some days, she just wants my attention and tries to climb all over me when I'm typing." She chuckled to herself and added, "Now that I have some extra room, I was thinking of making a little corner for her to play in while I work. Hopefully it will distract her long enough so I can get some hours in."

  "Mommyyyyyy!" Olivia's voice came through the monitor that was standing on the kitchen table. "Mommy, out."

  "I'll go grab her, will you watch the bread for me?" She turned and headed for the stairs.

  Monty perked up and followed her, leaving me by myself in her kitchen staring after her. I heard her soft voice reach Olivia in the monitor.

  "Hey, sweetie. Did you have a good nap? Oh my, your diaper is full. Mommy made you some pasta." Then the sound clicked off and all I could hear were muffled footsteps above me.

  I pulled out some plates and silverware. Jocelyn had more to her than she let on. She didn't like to talk about herself much, but when it came to her daughter, she didn't seem to want to talk about anything else. She was a good mother and I admired how she was able to take care of her on her own. Though, a woman like that, should never be on her own. Whoever let her go was an idiot, but I was glad they did. I wanted to get to know her better.

  Of course, only to be friends.

  Jocelyn

  "Hey sweetie! Did you have a good nap?" Olivia rubbed her tired little eyes and then reached for me. "Oh my, your diaper is full. Mommy made you some pasta." I clicked off the monitor and Olivia giggled when she heard 'pasta'. It was her favorite.

  "Pasta?" she said.

  I changed her diaper and tried to do what I could to delay returning down stairs. Monty sat at the door and watched me.

  "What are you looking at?"

  He tilted his head with his ears perked up high. I could just imagine him saying "You really think I don't know?"

  "He is just going to help me and then he is gone. I swear."

  He harrumphed and walked over to me, planting himself at my feet and looking up at me. "Yeah, sure. You like him."

  "Well, maybe a little bit. He's cute," I shrugged. Olivia giggled and said "toot".

  Andrew was not just a 'cute' man. He was gorgeous. Blue eyes to die for surrounded by thick dark lashes and a strong jaw that had a hint of stubble. His dark brown hair was thick and hung over his forehead just enough to make me want to reach out and brush it to the side. He stood much taller than me and his broad shoulders were wide enough to encompass both me and Liv. His arms were toned, not so thick that they looked disproportionate with the rest of his body, but strong enough to make me feel like being in them would protect me from everything that could ever possibly hurt me.

  Protect me? Stop it, Joss.

  "Cute? Really?" Monty's expression looked like he had just heard every detail in my mind.

  "Okay, so more like incredibly handsome. Doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it. Look at me." I gestured to myself and scoffed. "I don't think that kind of guy goes for this kind of girl."

  Monty sighed again and started to grumble, "You know that's not true. I'll keep an eye out, though. I don't trust him yet."

  "Oh, Monty, you don't trust anyone until they give you a treat or play with you and you know it." I looked around to make sure Andrew hadn't come up and heard our imaginary banter.

  Monty gave me the strangest look like he was offended by my statement. I swear the faces this dog gave me communicated everything. I laughed at myself for the dialog that was flowing between us. I had always talked to him like that and he always responded in one way or the other whether it was in my head or out loud. He was my best friend. He had been there when no one else had.

  I stared down into his caramel eyes and he stared back. Olivia kissed my cheek and said, "Eat," and that was it. I had wasted enough time, so I walked back into the kitchen with Monty hot on my heels.

  "Adoo?" Olivia chirped.

  Andrew had set the table and was carrying the food to the table. When he saw us walk in, the smile that lit up his face was exquisite. The man should smile more often.

  "Hey there, Olivia. Wow, you certainly got some beauty rest. You are even prettier than the last time I saw you."

  Olivia smiled and stretched her arms toward her chair. His sweet words sent a pleasant warmth through me. I could see he was unsure of himself around her, but he did a good job of trying.

  "I'm surprised she remembered me."

  "You would be surprised by a lot of things she does," I chuckled.

  We continued talking about this and that. Mostly, I asked questions and avoided his. I don't know why I did it. I just felt that if he got to know me too much, I would trust him too much. I had no doubt he noticed I didn't like to talk about myself, so he started asking more questions about Olivia.

  He seemed like a nice enough guy. Someone I could possibly be friends with. I was attracted to him, though, which I took as a red flag. After what Dave had done to me, I had vowed to avoid men as much as possible. Olivia was my priority
and I thanked God that she never had to be hurt by the jerk. As soon as he found out I was pregnant, the divorce papers were in front of me. He didn't want any responsibility.

  Stop thinking about it. It's in the past and will only make you angry.

  Olivia was giggling at Andrew who had slurped up a noodle that flicked him on the nose and left sauce all over his face. She pointed her messy hands at him and said, "Nose," in her sweet voice and was trying so hard to pronounce it correctly.

  Her tray was a mess and her face was covered in spaghetti sauce. I could have probably prevented the mess, but she ate better when I let her do it by herself. She was a sponge and absorbed everything. Not only that, but she wanted to absorb everything.

  After praising my cooking several times, Andrew helped me clean up and helped get Olivia cleaned up as much as possible. I had to take off her clothes that were plastered with noodles and she ended up running around in her diaper for a while as we washed dishes. I felt comfortable with Andrew in my home. At first, I thought it would be weird to do so many domestic things with a near complete stranger, but he never complained and didn't hesitate to help me.

  I started to go through a few boxes for the kitchen and pulled out the rest of the dishes to add to the dishwasher. Andrew looked through a few boxes with me and attempted to help put some stuff into the cupboards.

  "How about we get started on the boxes that need to be taken up stairs. I'm picky with my kitchen so it will probably be better if I do it by myself." I blushed when he smiled at me, a little embarrassed that I had pretty much told him to back off. "There are a few pretty heavy ones. I can empty some of the stuff out before--"

  "No, don't do that. If it all needs to go up, I'll get it up there."

  I smirked and started toward the living room, "Okay Mr. Macho."

  His laughter was booming and it sent electricity shooting up my spine. He had a great laugh, deep and carefree.