Chapter 2: A Bit Of Conversation
Mike closed the door to his apartment, then headed through the apartment complex to rejoin his three roommates and best friends in their volleyball game. He had indeed taken a potty break in addition to getting some water as Peter had guessed. But it had been a quick enough delay, and before Micky had even been pummeled with the ball, he was heading back. As he walked,he alternately hummed and sang "Papa Gene's Blues" softly to entertain himself.
He was just passing the laundry room when something caught his eye. Or more appropriately, someone.
Stopping in his tracks, Mike stood just outside the open doorway and looked inside. A girl was standing with her back to him. She was facing the coke machine set at the laundry room's back wall, looking for all the world as ifshe were ready to do battle with it.
"Stupid hunk of wasted metal!" she spat at it, her hands balled into fists at her sides. "Either give me the coke or give me back my money, or so help me..."
She shifted her weight in preparation to kick the thing, and that's when Mike figured it was time to intervene.
"Excuse me," he said, stepping into the room and to her side in only a few long strides.
She startled slightly at the sound of his voice, and whipped around, her eyes widening when she found herself faced with a slim chest. Taking a step back,she tilted her head to look up into the face of a handsome young man. Her eyes were instantly captured by his warm brown gaze. Briefly, she glanced up at his sleek black hair, and then to the curious green wool hat he wore, before returning her eyes to his.
Mike smiled sheepishly. He hadn't gotten a look at her face before now, and he was struck by her loveliness. Her eyes were incredible--blue, at once soft and vibrant, like a new morning sky. Hair of bright copper framed her face; the perfect compliment to her light eyes.
He cleared his throat. "Uh, hey there! I'm Mike," he said, smiling shyly.
Her return smile was dazzling, and he watched as she unconsciously lifted ahand to tuck a strand of her red hair behind one ear. "Oh, hi Mike!" she replied. "My name's Erin."
Her friendly demeanor gave him confidence. "Nice to meet you, Erin,"he said. He cast a brief glance at the soda machine, then looked back at her."This thing giving you trouble?"
She gave a short laugh and nodded. "Yeah. Dumb thing ate my money."
"Ah," he intoned, and then grinned at her playfully. "Which explains why you looked ready to tear it apart."
She winced slightly and darted her eyes to the floor. So he had seen her little display. Perfect. "Ok, so how badly have I embarrassed myself?"
He laughed. "Oh don't worry about it," he assured. "It does that to us all. If we could just be sure the landlord would replace it, we'd gleefully drive it off the complex with pitchforks."
Erin had to struggle to keep her wits about her. He had a distinctive southern drawl, that was warm and not at all unpleasant. Truth be told, it was enough to melt her. And those eyes...!
She laughed again and looked back up at him, relieved that he didn't seem to think her foolish. "Good to know it's not just me."
His brown eyes were irresistibly warm as he smiled down at her. "No.Definitely not just you."
She returned his smile, secretly thrilling at the way he towered over her. As a tall individual herself, she was rather fond of the guys of impressive height. She didn't get to experience feeling short very often. And Mike somehow made it especially nice.
Mike's expression became curious. "So have you lived here long? I don't recall seeing you around before." And I'd certainly remember if I had...he thought.
"No, I moved in last Wednesday," she replied.
"Ah, so you're the reason that moving truck had me barricaded into my parking space," he said with mock severity.
Erin gasped, her soft sky eyes growing alarmed. "Oh I'm sorry! We tried to get everything off as quick as we could..."
"Nah, I was just playing," he assured, and laughed when she reached up and hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Actually our car wasn't parked anywhere near the truck. We just noticed it is all."
"We?" she asked curiously.
"My three roommates and I," he explained. "We live just down the way there. Only a couple of doors from you, actually."
"Well it's great to finally meet some neighbors--even if one of them is as smart-alack Texan!" she laughed. Not to mention insanely good looking, she added mentally. Mike carried the cowboy image impressively well, she'd give him that.
"Ouch," he said, pretending to be deeply effected by her words.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh don't give me that," she said with a smile.
His chuckled softly, and then expression then became sincere. "May be a few days late, but welcome to the neighborhood, Erin."
She beamed up at him, touched by his sweetness. "Thanks! I'm really enjoying it so far. This is a great place."
"It really is," he agreed. "Right on the beach. Can't beat that..." He paused then as he remember that there was currently a volleyball game going on. One that he was supposed to be taking part in.
Talk about lousy timing.
"Listen, I really hate to run off," he told her apologetically. And boy did he ever! "But I just remembered there's a volleyball game goin' on that I better get back to or I'll never hear the end of it."
She laughed, and his grin widened in response. He liked it when she laughed, it was pleasant, infectious.
"Well that's no good," she replied. "I don't know how I'd stand the guilt of causing you such grief."
"Oh I don't know about that," he said, and then he chuckled."Though Micky--that's one of my roommates I was tellin' you about--would certainly see to it I understood just how badly I was missed."
She giggled lightly. "Bit of a character, is he?"
The Texan gave her one of those looks. "Oh you have no idea!"
She cocked an eyebrow at that. "Really?" At his nod, she couldn't help the wry smirk. "You might be surprised."
That got his interest. "Know the type?"
"And how!" she affirmed. "One of my best girlfriends is like that."
He considered that for a moment. "Hm, I think I'm gonna have to meet this girl sometime," he said, giving her a lopsided grin. "After all, it's not everyday you meet a girl version of Micky!"
Erin's smile broadened at the thought. A girl version of Micky? So that meant that there was a boy version of Jacelyn? Good Lord! "Count on it!" she agreed with a laugh.
He had to remind himself to breathe. Those eyes were something else. Large and expressive, their blue depths shot through him like a current. He grinned and extended a hand to her. "Well, Erin, it's been a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to seeing you later on."
"Likewise, Mike," she replied happily, accepting his offered hand."See you around!"
With one final smile, he turned and headed out of the laundry room, then proceeded toward the beach. Erin paused momentarily,then trotted out of the room to watch him go, her eyes remaining fixed on his retreating form until she could no longer see him. She was glad to have met him. There was something about him, a subtle playfulness, a calm gentility, a hidden strength that was absolutely dashing...and incredibly sexy.
"So," came an inquiring voice from behind, "who was that tall glass of water that just walked outta here?"
Startled for the second time that day, Erin gave a little yelp and turned around. There stood Jacelyn, Shea, and Taryn, all grinning at her in a knowing manner.
"Yeah, and does he have a brother?" Taryn asked playfully.
Erin felt the warming of her cheeks, and knew maddeningly that she was blushing. "Hi, guys!"
Jacelyn noted her friend's blush, and her smile broadened. "Gotta say, Erin--not bad!" She winked at her friend.
The redhead felt herself blushing again and decided it was high time she stopped that. Taking a steadying breath, she composed herself. "When'd you guys get here?"
"Just a few minutes ago. We were on our way over to your apartment when we saw you here," Jacelyn replied. "And don't change the subject!"
Erin lifted her eyebrows at that. "Pushy much?"
Jacelyn merely gave her a coy smile.
Shea grinned at the two of them, then got straight to the point. "So, you gonna tell us his name or keep us in dying suspense?"
"His name's Mike," Erin replied. "Turns out he and his three roommates live only a couple doors down from me. Don't know how I missed that."
Shea chuckled and looked at her friend with bemusement. "I don't either!"
Jacelyn's eyebrows lifted at Erin's words. "Three, huh?" she questioned. She turned her head to gaze in the direction Mike had gone, and smiled. "Interesting."
Erin knew that smile only too well. "Hey now!" she interjected with a laugh. "Don't go getting your hopes up just yet.I've only seen him--for all we know, the others aren't nearly as fortunate in the looks department."
"Maybe," Jacelyn conceded. She returned her gaze to her friend, and her smile became decidedly impish. "But if your Mike is even the slightest indication of what his buddies have to offer, I'll take my chances!"