Lost in thought, Kassie was a little startled when she saw the guy next door walk out onto his back porch, sit something down and go back inside. She tried to make herself inconspicuous, realizing that she had put up the brackets for the new curtain rods and the country themed kitchen curtains, but had left them on the counter. Kassie didn’t want to take the chance of him seeing her and thinking she was watching him. Though she had seen him leave earlier, she tried not to pay much mind to his comings and goings.
She had just finished hanging up the curtains and was making her tea when he came out again in dress clothes. Standing under his porch light, Tim looked over at her yard then at her house with a curious expression on his face. Kassie had to admit that he was hot in a geeky kind of way and he did make her heart speed up in a crazy way that had her still trying to figure it out.
To her consternation, a short, thin woman walked out of the house behind him. Her long brown hair flowed around her shoulders and she wore a spaghetti strapped, tight red dress. She sashayed over to Tim and wrapped her arms around his body. Standing on tip toe in her strappy little heels, the woman whispered something in his ear that made Tim laugh softly. Turning to the woman, he kissed her gently and led her down the steps. His arm slipped around her almost eclipsing the small frame and they kissed again walking down the garden path. Kassie watched his fingers skim over Four O’clocks as they walked and the image of them skimming across her skin hit her.
“Don’t even.” She scolded herself.
But she couldn’t fight her growing attraction to him. He was eye-catching and his voice sometimes sent pangs of satin through her.
Kassie felt a blush stain her cheeks, jealousy burned in her hot and bright and Kassie couldn’t understand it at all. Why should she be angry? Why was she angry? He wasn’t her man and they could barely stand each other, so what the hell was going on with her? No matter how much she talked reason to her heart the jealousy still burned there.
Kassie turned off the burner under the teapot, checked the locks on the doors and windows and went upstairs. But somehow, she didn’t feel herself; she was in a funky mood.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 5
Her first year sped past so quickly that Kassie barely had time to catch her breath. She had gotten accustomed to her neighborhood and was actually on cordial terms with a few of the neighbors, though she and Tim still kept their distance from each other. However, the same could not be said for Griffin the dog. He invited himself over to Kassie’s house whenever Tim wasn’t looking and Kassie found herself totally in love with the charming little rascal, secretly she’d sneak him treats whenever she got the chance.
*****
As the summer was coming to an end, Kassie decided to throw a long overdue housewarming/anniversary party inviting all of her friends and their families. She rented a tent, tables and chairs, and grills. She lit mosquito lanterns and candles all over the yard. Kassie also hired a Pyrotechnician, for a big fireworks display at the end of the evening and clowns and magicians to entertain the kids. Kassie had masses of balloons inflated and tied to her fences, porch, tables, and chairs. When everything was done, Kassie stood in the center of her yard, smiling from ear to ear. Tonight would be awesome!
*****
Tim watched it all get set up from his bedroom window. He had been awoken at 7 a.m. by the sounds of voices and work being done next door. Kassie was having a big party and had actually invited some of the neighbors. He watched her interact with the people setting up the festivities and couldn’t help but be amazed. She sure as hell was nicer to these people than she had been to the movers last summer! But then again she seemed to be different, in general . . . nicer. He had seen her talking to a few of the neighbors and had very nearly had a heart attack. Sure, be nice to everyone but him right?
As some men set up the chairs and tables, Tim watched her come out of her house and froze. She was in the shortest white shorts he’d ever seen. For a curvy girl she looked hot as hell in them. Her cobalt blue tank showed off her yummy breast and flat stomach, and the shorts displayed long toned legs.
Tim leaned his arm against the window frame watching her as she spoke to a man holding a clipboard. The man gave her a smile and laughed at something she said to him and she laughed with him. She seemed brighter, even her hair seemed a warmer shade of brown. Her eye had a twinkle as she spoke and suddenly she was a little too much for him to stand. What was it about her? She was so different and refreshing, intoxicating and sexy that Tim was losing it.
When Kassie turned and went inside, the guy watched the sway of her bottom until she walked into her back door. He shook his head and looked at the guys who were with him; they all shared in a look and a chuckle. Tim didn’t blame them. A year of living next door to her had turned him into a silent stalker.
When she left her house or had people over, he found himself watching her from the window. Lately, some asshole had been showing up a lot and Tim couldn’t help but wonder if he was her boyfriend. If that was the case Tim knew he had no chance because the guy was really good looking.
Even when she went out shopping, he would watch her bring her bags in, wondering if he had the guts to see if she needed some sort of help. She was a tough girl to figure out. Ordinarily he didn’t mind that, but she had been so nasty to him that it made his feelings for her frustrating.
Tim left his window sighing and shaking his head. He was attracted to a witch and she barely knew he was alive.
*****
People began to arrive at about five. The caterers had laid out all of the snack and finger foods on tables around the yard. Her good friends Paul and Van had volunteered to man the grills and Kassie had no problem letting them cook as she didn’t want her hair and clothes getting all smoky. Besides, the men always stood around the grill with their beers talking and gossiping anyway.
Most of her guests had arrived and Kassie was running in and out of the house, showing people around, chatting and greeting the people who rang her bell instead of just going around to the back. She was just dashing into her studio for some sketches to show a friend when the bell rang again. Sighing Kassie rushed to answer it, and smiled warmly upon seeing her old friend Trish from art school. Kassie hugged her and her fiancé Joe, directing them through the house to the back where the refrains of a slow bluesy number was starting.
As she closed her door, Kassie heard the voice of her hated neighbor . . . only he wasn’t really so hated. Actually she found herself in the really confusing predicament of finding him more and more appealing every day. She’d watched him play with his daughter and Griff, and watched him laugh with his friends and neighbors. God he was hot! Kassie had spent the past year trying to still the butterflies in her stomach every time she saw him. She had seen him on numerous occasions with that little stick figure girlfriend and wanted to claw her eyes out. But she was also happy for the woman’s intrusion because it forced Kassie to remember that this man was off limits.
Kassie had been seeing someone these past few months, shocking herself by her willingness to venture out and trust again. This time last year she had been choking under her own misery, so her relationship with Nick had been a welcome distraction. Kassie had resisted getting involved with Nicholas for obvious reasons, but his gentle persistence and charm had finally won her over. No matter how much she genuinely enjoyed spending time out with Nick; sometimes she still had Tim on the brain.
Being rude to him came easily as all she had to do was transfer her frustration with herself onto him. But truth be told, she always felt bad afterwards and wanted to go over and apologize to him many times. The only thing stopping her was pride and the fear of jumping on him in his front yard and kissing the hell out of him. Tonight though, she was feeling upbeat and happy and couldn’t resist going out to speak with him.
*****
Tim came out with Griffin close behind. He tossed a look over at her house and paused, seeing Kassie standing at her door looking at him. She h
ad changed into a gauzy pink dress and black sandals. In the year that she’d been living there, her hair had grown longer and she wore it pulled back from her face tonight and draped over one shoulder. She was so pretty and for once not looking at him like something that was stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
She walked down the steps and over the grass to the fence that separated their property. Tim sighed hard and walked over, bracing himself . . . for what, he didn’t know.
“Hi.” She smiled at him hesitantly.
“Hi.” Tim said softly, but he was really thinking; ‘Holy shit, she’s smiling at me!’
“I’m uh, I’m having a party.” She said.
“I know.” He said. “I’ll keep Griff out of your yard.”
“Thanks.”
Kassie lowered her eyes and heard Griffin whine at her through the fence. She looked at him and laughed when he put his little paws up on the fence, seeking her attention. She gave him what he wanted scratching the dog’s head, and crooning softly to him. Tim watched his shameless dog and suddenly felt jealous.
“I hope that the music doesn’t disturb you, if it does just let me know. Or if you want, you can drop over for a beer and some food.” Kassie couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. She was definitely losing it tonight. Had she really just invited the man to her house?
“I’m on my way out.”Shit! What the hell did you do that for numb nuts!
“Oh.” Her voice betrayed her disappointment a little. He picked it up instantly and regret sliced through his gut because he knew she was thinking he was going out with some woman. She had to have seen his parade of women.
The truth was he wasn’t going to see her. Krista Lopez was a “booty call” as Brick liked to say and an escort for his functions. Besides, he wasn’t really feeling her the way she felt him. He wasn’t looking for a wife; been there, done that as far as he was concerned, and she definitely hinted at wanting a husband. Truly, she was a great person and a lot of fun but Tim had been thinking of a way to break things off without hurting her.
“Yeah.” He continued the lie, cringing inside.
Kassie nodded and lowered her head again. They stood silent for a moment.
“M, my purse,” She stammered, filling the silence. She sighed and looked at him, “When I came that day to look at the house and you spoke to me,”
She looked down at her wringing hands, not realizing that she was doing wringing them together and Tim knew it cost her a lot to be saying this, “What I did . . . clutching my purse like you were some kind of thug; it was insulting and wrong. I, I’m sorry.”
He looked at her, admiring the strength it took her to admit her mistakes and simply said, “It’s forgotten.”
Kassie looked up into his eyes. He really was very handsome in a geeky sort of way and the more she stayed here looking into his beautiful eyes, the more she felt herself imagining how good kissing him would feel.
‘Dangerous thoughts girlfriend!’ Kassie chastised herself. But they were wild inside of her and had been for a year now.
They held each other’s gaze. The urge to share a kiss filled them both. That was until the black sports car sped past the house, parking in the empty spot at the corner. He knew who it was. It was the ass she had been carrying on with for weeks now and he felt a surge of jealousy shoot through his gut.
“Saved by the bell, huh?” Tim said with spite in his tone. A lost expression crossed her face as he turned and walked away with Griffin trailing him, looking back at Kassie with a soft wag in his tail. Kassie watched him as he opened his car door for the dog letting him hop in the back. His eyes never returned to her which made the entire situation worse.
Tim pulled out and drove down the street as Kassie greeted her “friend” with a kiss. His kiss, as Tim saw it and his anger became almost unbearable. Why does he get to kiss you! He thought angrily. Why not me?
The attractive couple faded into the distance as Tim drove down the street. He didn’t understand it. He honestly couldn’t stand her. So why was he feeling this way?
*****
Kassie’s mind was on the “Tim moment” all day and Nick saw it in her expression. She lowered her head as he stroked her cheek. They were sitting on the porch together. Nick pulled her away to talk to her for just a moment. They had a bit of an argument last night over the phone and needed to clear some things up.
“You know that call last night left me feeling a lot of things for you.” He said softly.
“That’s good and bad. Remember what I said.”
“Yeah, can’t change that.” He shook his head, standing up and walking away from her.
“She hates me and you love her. I can’t compete.” Kassie said softly to his broad back.
Nick looked back at her and sighed softly.
“Maya’s hoping Julissa and I will get back together, and honestly I think Julissa is hoping the same thing. But I can’t be with a woman who cheats.” He said softly. “All of this is partly my fault because I should have left Julissa a long time ago. I should never have allowed them to think there was a chance for reconciliation.”
Kassie nodded in understanding. She was apprehensive about divorcing Monroe at first but the miscarriage made the decision for her.
“I know you tried to do the right thing, but your daughter is your top priority. I can’t elbow my way into your life when she’s resistant to me. Our entire life together would be miserable, we’d fight constantly, and I don’t want that.” Kassie said as he walked back to her.
Nick dropped his head. “I know”, he whispered, kneeling in front of her.
“Stay the night with me.” She said. He looked up quickly. “Then tomorrow morning we can let go.”
Nick stared at her and she leaned forward slowly kissing his lips.
“I will.” He whispered. “I have to run out to the drugstore.”
She nodded.
Kassie had truly enjoyed spending time with Nick. He had become a pleasant distraction for her. The problem was his daughter. The little girl had detested Kassie from the first moment they met and coming from a broken home herself, Kassie could sympathize. She refused to be the reason for Nick’s bad relationship with his child and Kassie would never make him choose.
*****
When darkness came, the fireworks began and Nick left for the drugstore. Fear and excitement filled her because she hadn’t ever been with anyone other than Monroe, and she had never done a one night thing in her life. In a word, she was scared witless of what would happen in her bedroom tonight but Kassie knew without a doubt that every part of her wanted it. She felt alive and free tonight and it had taken a long time to get her life back. Kassie was determined to enjoy it.
*****
Closing the front gate behind him, Tim began up the path when he saw Kassie’s “friend” walking out of the backyard. Griffin ran to the fence in anticipation of seeing Kassie, but stopped upon seeing the powerfully built man walking over to them. Tim could have sworn the dog actually sighed in disappointment as he turned, ran up the stairs and flopped down on the porch. Tim watched him, shaking his head; even the damn dog had the hots for her!
“Hi.” Nick leaned casually against the fence.
“Hey.” Tim nodded.
“Tim right?”
“Yeah.” Tim said wondering how he knew who he was.
“Nick.” He said.
Tim offered a hand and Nick shook it.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” He tossed a look over at Kassie’s place then back at Tim. “She’s beautiful isn’t she?”
“She is.” Tim said softly.
Nick gave him a look that clearly stated that he didn’t like the response . . . not that Tim gave two shits.
“I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Nick looked off down the street, missing Tim’s startled look.
“What way?”
“Like you want to rip her clothes off.”
“That’s a bit crass.”
Tim said disgusted.
“Gotta say, I can’t see her with a White dude,” Nick stood up and continued as if Tim never spoke. “But then again sistas are hooking up with ya’ll now as much as you guys are going after them.” He sighed as Tim stared at him.
Tim made no excuses for it. He loved women. Tim had developed an attraction to Black women, ever since he caught Gramps watching Pam Greer movies. That woman had a set of legs on her! But he was always afraid to approach Black women, admittedly finding them slightly intimidating. His senior year in High School had been a turning point in his life. Tim had his first sexual experience with a Black Goddess named Denise Marston and quickly lost his fear. The Black women he had dated had a way of making him feel better about himself, more confident and gave him a sense of humor in a way. He could laugh at himself, as he couldn’t before. He wasn’t so serious or conceded as he had once been and he appreciated being knocked down a peg.
“She’s letting me go,” He sighed, leaned his hip against the fence and folded his arms over his chest. “Said it was because my daughter hates her, which is probably true since she wants me and her mom to get back together.” Nick stared at Tim. “Secretly I think she still has ex issues.”
“I doubt that, from what I heard, they had a pretty messy break up.” Tim said feeling a glimmer of satisfaction knowing that they were through. He knew it was a messed up way of thinking but he didn’t want Kassie with anyone other than him.
Nick eyed him suspiciously. “You got a thing for her?”
“I gotta be honest with you.” Tim said softly. “I kinda can’t stand her.” He knew he wasn’t being entirely honest and Nick saw it too.
“Right.” He said slyly and stood up off the fence. They stared at each other a moment before Nick turned and walked away.
Tim raised his chin and tried to shake it off but he couldn’t shake off what he felt. Nick saw right through him so easily it was ridiculous and if he could see through Tim’s front, Tim wondered if Kassie could too.
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