Chapter 6 -My Neighbor

• I can’t hide the shock as Anderson stares at me, my body threatening to break out into an all-out tremble. Of all the people in the city, how is my boss also my neighbor?
• I try to find words to say, but everything comes out a stammered mess.
• “I-I…wh-what? Wh-when did you? I mean, how long have you? I mean—you live here?”
• Anderson raises an eyebrow at my stuttering. I guess he didn’t think I’d be living next to him, either. I’m really making a goddamn fool of myself, aren’t I?
• “Well, I’m an employee of the company. And I’m a single dad. So, naturally, I thought you’d know I’m living in Center City Apartments as well.”
• Of course, I didn’t know that. Since when would I have asked my boss where he lived, what he did during his off time, or what’s been happening since he and his wife divorced?
• “Oh,” is all I can find myself saying. The gears in my head are turning very slowly right now. Maybe if Anderson was wearing a real shirt, I’d have an easier time focusing.
• Suddenly, I remember that there’s some work I need to hand over to him. I was supposed to give it to him before I left the building, but after getting called into his office, I’d forgotten!
• Oh, God. Having my boss as my neighbor is going to mean working on days off and being on call at home, isn’t it?
• I feel heat rush to my cheeks as I imagine that becoming my new life. So much for the independent woman that I encouraged myself to imagine.
• “So about the reports on the projection of the Donaldson Corporation—” I start, but Anderson interrupts me.
• “Esme,” he says, frowning. “You do realize that just because we’re neighbors now, it doesn’t mean we have to work. After all, we’re not superior and subordinate here.”
• Anderson looks around us, nodding his head in the direction of the other apartments up and down the way. “This is a great community in Center City. Everyone here is an equal, and we don’t feel the need to discuss anything work-related if we do not feel so inclined. Does that make sense?”
• I nod, but I’m still nervous as all hell.
• “Work shouldn’t interfere with off-duty hours when you’re at home.”
• My mouth opens, and I look for the words that I need. “I understand, Mr. Anderson—”
• “Just call me by my first name, Esme. Derek. That’s all you have to do.”
• Now this just feels weird. But I know there’s no argument with the taller man. Even if he wasn’t my boss, he’s still someone I respect and don’t wish to aggravate.
• “Okay, Mr. Anderson…” I see his expression change with his bushy eyebrows lifting up as if to ask me if I’d like to fix what I’ve said. Quickly, I shake my head and correct myself. “Derek. Okay, Derek.”
• Derek lets his smile finally shine through, and the nerves begin to melt away. It’s an interesting dynamic that we now share, but I also feel as though one of the kindest people is now on my side.
• “Oh, wait,” I say suddenly, turning and looking around us as I realize how quiet it’s become. “What happened to the little girls?”
• I instantly become nervous, being that I haven’t known these girls for longer than a minute and they’ve already run off somewhere.
• However, Anderson—no, it’s Derek—calmly walks around me and into my new home.
• There, sitting on the ground, are his daughters, petting my cat.
• I’d almost forgotten to bring him with me. Annie was the one to wrangle him up as we were about to walk out the front door.
• Sammy, my beautiful grey cat, is around five years old. He’s been with me since before I was married to Ryan, and I’ve doted on this young man since the moment I took him home.
• Sammy is sat in-between the two girls, and he turns to look at us as if to say, “I’ve found new servants.”
• I can’t help but laugh at the scene.
• Derek, however, scolds the girls. “Girls, you know it’s wrong to enter someone else’s home without their permission! You must apologize to Miss Esme.”
• The two girls look over, and the younger one whines, “But there’s a kitty here, Daddy!”
• My heart is going to explode, and it’s going to be because of the three of them, I swear.
• The elder daughter smiles. “Come on, Daddy, come meet the kitty!”
• “Do you want to know his name?” I ask the girls.
• “It’s a boy kitty!” The youngest claps her hands together with immense enthusiasm. “Good boy!”
• “We love your cat! What’s his name?” The eldest says.
• What on earth are their names? Derek didn’t mention them, right? Did I miss it?
• “His name is Sammy,” I introduce. “Can you guys tell me your names?”
• The oldest points to herself. “I’m Bea, and I’m seven. She’s Tris, she’s four,” she introduces. To my surprise, she holds out her hand and asks, “What was your name?”
• Bea and Tris. Beatrice. That’s remarkably clever, and I wonder where Derek came up with that idea.
• I bend over and hold out my hand to let Bea shake it, giving her my smile. “It’s Esme. It’s nice to meet you both, Bea.”
• She gives me a smile that tells me I’m winning her over.
• “You girls are always welcome to come over and play with Sammy if you want?” I ask, and I watch as the two little girls grow excited. They start shrieking and shouting together, which Sammy isn’t a huge fan of.
• “Thank you, Miss Esme!” Tris claps.
• “Okay, I forgive you for scaring Tris!” Bea laughs as she jumps up into my arms.
• Oh God. I feel like I’m going to faint right here and now. Two daughters? What a paradise Derek must live in every day.
• And they’re so beautiful and kind. It’s not every day you meet two young girls who are kind and polite. Even if they are enamored by a cat.
• “Girls,” Derek says, clearing his throat. “We must let Miss Esme get back to moving in. I have an important phone call that I’m expecting.”
• “No, Daddy!” The two girls whine in unison. “We wanna play with the kitty!”
• I stand back up, letting Bea go so she can race over to her sister. I give Derek my best smile. “If you want, I can walk them back over?”
• “I can’t expect you to just…” he trails off, and looks back at his girls. I see the reluctance in their eyes and they stick out their bottom lips as if to pout at their father.
• “I don’t mind,” I insist. “I’ll bring them back over as soon as they’re done. Is that okay?”
• Derek looks between me and the girls before sighing. Reluctant, he nods. “Just have one of them knock on the door when you’re there. The girls know the secret knock.”
• I watch Derek wink at his kids, and they blow kisses back to him. “I’ll see you later then.”
• Once their father has disappeared back to his place, the girls begin the complain to me.
• “Daddy won’t let us get a kitty!” Tris cries out.
• “We’ve been asking him forever now!” Bea agrees. “We promised we’d take good care of it, but he still says no!”
• I cross my arms in mock sincerity. “Well, that does stink you can’t have a kitty. But remember, your Daddy’s got a lot going on raising you two kids!”
• “He can be a big tyrant,” Bea insists.
• Where did this seven-year-old learn the word tyrant?
• “That’s a big word there,” I tell Bea.
• “Daddy uses it when someone’s being difficult,” she explains simply.
• “He’s not wrong,” I reply.
• “I wish we could have a kitty!” Tris complains, and her sister nods.
• My heart is absolutely crying out with admiration for these two adorable tykes.