I knew she was going to love the view. We could sit out and enjoy our morning coffee together. That reminded me that I needed to get a couple of those patio heaters so we wouldn’t freeze our asses off. Down on the street below, a couple of kids walked by. One had a skateboard tucked under his arm, which reminded me of Zoe.
I smiled at the memory of the tiny girl trying to learn how to ride a skateboard. I had picked up the hobby and thought I was a real badass. I loved showing off for the girls at the skatepark. Zoe wasn’t one to just be impressed. She wanted to ride on the dang thing. She’d get going about three feet and then land on her ass. Over and over she tried to get the hang of it. It just wasn’t meant to be.
I went back inside and checked the fridge to see if there was anything I might have forgotten. I remembered all her favorite foods. I loaded the fridge with yogurt, fresh fruit, pudding cups, and a variety of juices. The pantry was stocked as well. She had everything she could want. I wanted her to feel completely at home.
After verifying the kitchen was stocked, I walked upstairs to the room that would be hers. I pushed open the door and surveyed the place. I didn’t want to go completely overboard but I wanted her to be comfortable. I had a new bed delivered yesterday along with new bedding in a neutral gray tone. A fluffy rug ensured she would never step onto a cold floor. I added a couple of chairs near the window and a new dresser. Her view overlooked the backyard that had been landscaped to look like one of the nicest parks in the city. The room was big and roomy with a bathroom I knew would impress her. High ceilings and huge windows made the room feel bigger and roomier. She was going to love it.
Satisfied with my preparations, there was nothing more to do but wait. The house was still fairly empty, but that was something I was hoping she could help me with. We could do a little shopping for home furnishings. She’d tell me what she liked and it would be just a little more comfortable for her. I knew she wasn’t moving in to stay. It was temporary.
I felt like a little kid waiting for Santa. I kept checking the driveway to see if she was coming. Then, as if I had conjured her appearance, there she was. I saw an older Subaru pulling into the driveway. More like inching up the driveway. I rushed to the front door and pulled it open.
Her car pulled to a stop in front of the front door. I stepped out and waited. She got out and turned to wave at me over the car. I was struck by how beautiful she was. I knew she was pretty, but now she was gorgeous.
“Hi,” I said, smiling.
She stepped around the car and I was given my first glimpse in years of my old friend. Gone were the nose piercing and short hair. Her hair was back to her natural auburn color and hung in loose waves around her shoulders. She pushed up her sunglasses and I remembered those green eyes. She was wearing just a little makeup, nothing like she used to. I remembered her experimenting with a new look practically every week. I liked this version of her.
“Hello,” she said sheepishly.
I walked down to meet her. I hugged her, and to my surprise, there was a strange feeling. Like an electric zing. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I said.
“Thank you so much for extending the invitation.”
I stepped back, putting my hands on her upper arms and taking a moment to really look at her. “You look good, Zoe. Really good. You look like a grownup.”
“Are you saying I look old?” she said, laughing.
“Never. I’m saying you look good.” I dropped my arms when I realized I might have been lingering a little longer than I should have.
“You too,” she said, grinning. She reached up and squeezed my bicep. “Someone’s been working out.”
I tried not to be too flattered. She was my best friend. It was a totally normal conversation. “I do a lot of manual labor at work. I need to be in shape.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about your business,” she said.
“I’m happy to tell you about it,” I replied. “I’m very passionate about it. You’ll probably have to tell me to shut up. I tend to get a little carried away.”
“I doubt that. So, this is your house.”
“This is my house,” I said.
“It’s so modern,” she replied. “I love how square it is. And so many windows. It looks very futuristic.”
“I debated between a beautiful Tudor-style house and this one,” I said. “I liked the Tudor, but it was a little farther away than I wanted to be.”
“That’s right,” she said, smiling. “Your grandmother is just around the corner, right?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll tell you all about that situation. Basically, the woman is stubborn and refused to leave the house and will not allow us to hire a nurse to stay with her.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Clarice was always her own little force. Small but mighty.”
“Still is, but the mighty is more in spirit than physical these days,” I said with a hint of sadness. “She relies on oxygen. Had a nasty bout of pneumonia about a year ago and she has never fully recovered.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Zoe said.
“It is, but she’s still the same spirited lady,” I said.
I was having a hard time keeping myself from staring. Zoe had matured a lot. Her figure was the same but different. She was a little fuller in the hips with a womanly figure. I was trying hard not to look at her boobs, but damn, they were nice. It was a great rack. Beautiful.
“Ready to go in and see it?” I asked before she caught me checking her out.
She was my friend. A good friend. I had never crossed the line with her before. I couldn’t start now. I didn’t want her to feel awkward while in my home. She had obviously been through something with her ex. I wanted to give her the respect she deserved. I could look but not touch. No. I couldn’t look. She was like a sister.
“I can’t wait,” she said. “I brought a few totes, but I have a few more at Autumn’s house.”
“That’s it?” I asked.
“I have stuff in storage,” she said.
“I’ll hire a truck and we’ll put it in the garage,” I said.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said, sighing as we climbed the steps to the front door.
“I want to,” I assured her. “It’s not like I’m going to be hauling it myself. Guys need work. I know a couple that do work for us from time to time. They’ll be more than happy to take on the job. No need for you to pay for storage.”
“Thank you, Riggs,” she said and touched my arm.
It was an innocent touch, but it felt like I’d been zapped. I needed to get my head straight. This was a friend helping a friend out, not a hookup.
We stepped inside and she turned to look at me with a bright smile. “Riggs! This is gorgeous! You’ve done well for yourself.”
“You sound surprised,” I said with a laugh. “What exactly were you expecting?”
“Well…” she teased. “I remember your room. And then you had that apartment. If I remember right, you had neon beer signs on the wall and your Marvel figurines on a shelf.”
I groaned and slapped a hand to my head. “I was hoping you wouldn’t remember that.”