“This is so stupid,” I tell myself as I grab my purse and put it on my shoulder.
I should be able to leave my apartment whenever I want because that’s the point of having my own place. I should be able to come and go as I please and not have to worry about answering to anyone. Instead I keep having to face someone who is looking for a reason to complain.
Gah, he’s making this so awkward. Why can’t I be a jerk and tell him to leave me alone and that he’s making me uncomfortable?
I walk over to my peephole and look out, hoping he’s not home. I bite my thumbnail as I stare across the hall at my new neighbor’s door. I thought I could be a little strange, but he takes it to another level. I curse my politeness with taking him cookies that first day he moved in. Now this weird dance has started and anytime I open my front door he’s opening his. How is that even possible? Is he doing the same thing I am and staring out his peephole waiting for me to leave?
I lean back from the door and sigh. I need my sugar fix and he’s standing in the way of that. Forget it. I’m leaving. I will not be held prisoner in my own home.
I grab the door handle and pull it open, and for once his door doesn't open. I turn around and lock my door as fast as I can so I can get out of here.
“Ahh!” I scream as I almost run right into Peter. He’s right in my space when I turn around and my heart jumps into my throat. “You scared the crap out of me.”
“Where are you off to tonight?”
Peter is in his usual polo and khaki shorts with his short blond hair perfectly in place. Everything about him is always so put together. He works from home for some kind of internet security company or something, and he’s got the vibe of someone who thinks he knows it all.
He doesn't say sorry for almost giving me a heart attack and just stands there waiting for me to answer him.
“Coffee.” And maybe also to see if the coffee shop has any treats left because my sweet tooth is killer.
“I’ll come with you,” he says, inviting himself.
“Okay,” I agree, because what else can I say? No, you’re not allowed to go to the coffee shop?
He places his hand on the small of my back and I walk faster, trying to get away from his touch. He only walks faster to keep up with me and I wonder why this man who seems so smart can’t read body language.
“How is your grandma?”
Some of my resolve fades because I always enjoy talking about my grandma. I miss her something fierce.
“She's good. That woman has more energy than I do.”
She’s always planning some new group or having a party. Even her dating card stays full. At least that’s what she calls it.
Peter reaches for the door of the coffee shop and opens it for me. “You should work out.” I stop walking and look over at him. “It gives you energy. You can come running with me in the mornings.”
I make a mental note that mornings would be a good time to sneak out of my place unnoticed.
“I’ll think about it,” I say, but it’s a total lie. I hate running and I’ve tried it more than once. I have two left feet and the last time I only made it a block before I tripped over my shoelaces and sprained my ankle. I took it as a sign that I should never run again.
“Erin!” Jenna waves and calls to me from behind the counter. “The regular?”
“Yes please.” I walk up to the counter and keep my eyes on the cake pops. “This is always the hard part,” I sigh, unsure what flavor I should get.
“I think you should get one of each. I mean, there are only four types,” Jenna laughs, and I nod.
“I have to say I like your style. Hit me with all of them and I can save whatever I don’t eat.” We both burst out laughing knowing that’s not going to happen. There will be nothing left to save.
“What’s so funny?” Peter asks, looking back and forth between Jenna and me.
“Is this your cousin?” Jenna asks, nodding at Peter.
Thankfully I’m still laughing about the cake pops, so Peter doesn’t realize I’m now laughing at her question. She knows he’s not my cousin.
“No,” he scoffs and tries to put his hand on the small of my back again.
Luckily I’m quicker as I step sideways and pretend to be really interested in the coffee mug display and hand Jenna my card.
“I’ve got it.” He tries to take my card from Jenna’s hand, but she pulls it back, not letting him. I really don’t want him buying me anything because then I’d feel like I owed him something.
“I’ve got it,” I tell him as I pay for the two of us.
“That’s not right.” He shakes his head, looking confused.
“We’re friends.” I emphasize the word. “Friends buy each other coffee and I got my card out first and ordered more,” I try to reason.
“I guess.” He finally relents before he spouts off one of the longest coffee orders I’ve ever heard in my life. Jenna gives me a look when Peter turns to face me.
“I haven't seen you in a while. I thought you might have gone to visit your grandmother.”
“Work has been keeping me busy,” I tell her, and it’s not a lie.
There’s always more work to be done and it’s just a matter of how much I can do. I retouch pictures and some can take me a few minutes while others can take hours. It depends on each project.
Jenna puts my bag of cake pops down on the counter and I have to step around Peter to get them.
“You know those are really unhealthy.”
“Okaaay.” I drag out the word while I pick my bag up. What else am I supposed to say? I thought cake was the best thing for me? I get agitated and wish I could tell him to mind his own business. That’s what I want to say but then things would be more awkward than they already are.
“Erin,” Jenna calls, handing me my caramel-filled drink. Peter turns his nose up at my drink before taking his own.
“You want to sit?”
“No, they close soon and I need to get back to work.” That’s another lie. There’s a new Housewives starting in a few minutes. Plus, I’d rather watch paint dry than hang out with Peter a second longer. How does he get worse and worse each time I see him?
“Fine.” He grabs my arm and pulls me toward the door. I’m so surprised it takes me a moment to realize what he’s just done and I jerk from his hold.
“You’re hurting me.” I rub the spot he grabbed as I keep walking down the sidewalk back toward my place. I want to get away from him as fast as I can.
“Sorry about that.” He takes a sip from his coffee, not looking sorry at all. “Since you’re busy tonight we could go out this weekend.”
I’m so irritated now, I try to cut this off. “I have a date this weekend.”
“Wait?” He stops walking but I don’t. When he realizes I’m still going, he runs to catch up to me. “A date?”
“Yeah, I’ve been seeing someone.” I head up the stairs to our floor, cursing myself because I know I can’t break my lease. I still have a few months left, but maybe I could move units. The complex is pretty big.
He follows me to my door and I try to end it there. “I’ll see you around.”
“I've never seen anyone come to your place. How are you dating someone?” he says to my back as I try to unlock my door.
“It’s kinda new.” When I get the key to work, I open the door and he steps closer to me.
I back up into my place with my hand on the door so he can’t enter. He glares at me for a moment before he smiles like he’s trying to hide his own irritation.
“We’ll get coffee after your date.” He says it like I don’t have a choice and takes a step back.
“I’m not—”
“See you later.” He cuts me off before I can respond.
I want to tell him we won’t be having coffee but I didn't agree either. I don’t want to have more back and forth when he’s walking away from me. I decide to just leave it be for now and shut my door. I triple check the locks, though, just to be sure.
My phone rings in my purse and I pull it out to see my grandma is calling. I smile and forget all about Peter and the lies I’ve gotten myself into.
I’ll deal with that later because it’s not as though it can get any worse.