Forget Prince Charming. Natalie Stenzel

wait. I’m putting time in at the bike shop tomorrow. Pass that along to Tim for me, would you? I’ll be back the day after, but he can call me if he runs into any problems.”

      “Sure thing, Boss.”

      As he was turning to leave, Rick heard the sound of Haley’s voice from somewhere close behind him.

      “…Thank you so much for all your help, Tim. I’m pretty clueless when it comes to the nuts and bolts of computers.”

      “My pleasure.”

      Haley’s voice lowered. “I’ll see you Friday, then.”

      Rick glanced over his shoulder, truly peeved now. Despite his unquestionable intelligence, Tim was grinning like a fool, patting his pocket and verbally tripping over himself in his effort to please.

      “…I have your number right here. I’ll call you after I’m off work for directions.”

      When Tim turned with obvious reluctance to greet a new customer, Haley went to pay for her new software, a satisfied smile on her face.

      Still unaccountably annoyed, Rick exited the store, intending to lie in wait for her. He’d force himself to forget the sight of Haley playing up to Tim and instead play the cool, sophisticated interrogator so he could determine Haley’s intentions.

      After all, Tim was young and impressionable. He deserved better than to be hurt by Haley’s geek-hunting ways. As Tim’s boss and friend, and knowing what he knew about Haley, Rick felt responsible for the guy. He was just doing Tim a good turn. Yeah, that’s the way he’d play it. Nothing personal; he was just looking out for his fellow man.

      And he damn well was not going to act like a jealous, lovesick puppy. Even if he felt like one.

      “EXPENSIVE FIRST DATE, Haley?” The male voice came from just over her right shoulder as Haley stepped out into the sunlight.

      Her heart dropping to her knees, Haley whirled to face her provoking new neighbor. “Don’t you know better than to sneak up behind unsuspecting women?”

      “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

      “What are you doing here anyway?” She turned and walked toward her car.

      “I was just picking up some ink for my printer.” Rick shrugged and fell easily into step with her, his long legs taking one step for every two of hers. “I happened to hear a familiar voice and listened in. Boy, were you laying it on thick in there.”

      “Just what are you trying to suggest?”

      “I’m not suggesting anything. I’ve read that list of yours and I saw you moving in for the kill back there. It worked, too. Poor sucker didn’t even know what hit him, did he?” Rick shook his head in mock sorrow.

      “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

      “Oh, I think so. You went into that computer store intending to pick up some poor schmuck. You found him, buttered him up, and he was yours for the taking.”

      Haley gritted her teeth but spoke evenly. “I went into that computer store to buy software. Tim was kind enough to help me and we had an enjoyable conversation. He asked me out Friday. I accepted. Simple as that.”

      “Wow. A whole week in advance? Guy must be desperate.”

      Haley’s jaw flexed harder, but she managed to hold on to the worst of her temper. “What is it with you? Is all of this because of what you read on my clipboard? Look, I apologize if you were offended, but it wasn’t meant to be seen by anyone but me. So why don’t you just put it out of your mind and we’ll both feel so much better.” She turned and marched off.

      Rick hurried after her, catching her elbow before she could unlock her car door.

      Haley froze, trying to ignore all the nerve endings that sprang to life at his touch. Not interested in princes. Not interested in princes. Maybe if she repeated that often enough it would be true.

      He gentled his grip but didn’t release her. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I guess it was just hard to have you turn me down flat yesterday then watch you make a date with another guy today. But I can take no for an answer.” He smiled ruefully, his eyes boyishly charming. “We’re neighbors. It’s probably not a good idea to go to war, right?”

      Nervously, Haley began weaving her key chain in and out of her fingers, the tinkling sound helping to distract her from his nearness. She nodded. “Okay. Let’s just call a truce. Fair enough?” She glanced up cautiously.

      Rick was shaking his head, his blue eyes reflecting the cool shade of the cloudless sky. “Nope. Not good enough. Let’s start over. Hi. My name’s Rick. You must be Haley, my next-door neighbor. How do you do?” He lifted the arm he still grasped and held its hand with his free one in a firm, if puppetlike, handshake.

      Haley rolled her eyes at his clowning attempt but weakened under the pressure of that contagious smile. She sighed and reluctantly smiled back at him. “Hi, Rick. Nice to meet you. I hope my dog Sherlock hasn’t been disturbing you with all his barking.”

      “I like dogs. You should introduce us some time. Like tonight maybe? Care to have me over for pizza?”

      Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you could take no for an answer.”

      “Come on, just pizza between neighbors. I promise. My treat. You can fill me in on the building. You know, good gossip, dos and don’ts, how to get on the manager’s good side so I can get my doorbell fixed. Harmless stuff.”

      She eyed him warily, remembering the sourpuss who used to live in the next-door apartment. The older woman hadn’t been as understanding about Sherlock’s barking. Haley had been anticipating an eviction notice when the woman finally moved out. Given the unexpected reprieve, it behooved her to get along with her new neighbor if at all possible. “Well, as long as you’re not some serial killer or anything—”

      “Nope. I’m harmless. Mostly. Besides, you have Sherlock for protection. He can chaperon.”

      Haley nodded slowly. Belatedly, she realized her hand was still in his and she pulled it free of his warmth. “I suppose that would be all right. We’re neighbors. It only makes sense to get acquainted.”

      “That’s the spirit. So, what time’s good for you?”

      Haley looked at her watch. “Well, I need to stop off at the shop, see how things went today. So, how about giving me about an hour and a half, maybe two hours?”

      “So, around five-thirty or six? Your place? I’ll bring pizza and napkins.”

      “Make it six and you’ve got yourself a—”

      “—date?” Rick’s eyes widened with sparkling innocence.

      “—deal.” Haley eyed him doubtfully. “This is not a date. We’re just neighbors getting acquainted.”

      “Okay, if you say so. See you at six, Haley.”

      Twenty minutes later, Haley swung into The Toy Boxx and flipped the sign to Closed. It was ten minutes early, but the shop was empty and she needed to debrief in private. She patted her pockets, dug through her purse. Key…in her desk. She’d lock up later.

      “I’ll be with you in a minute.” Jen’s voice drifted pleasantly from the back room.

      “Take your time. It’s just me. And I closed the shop.” Haley tossed her purse on the counter and turned to pull down the blinds.

      “So what happened?” Jen emerged from the back room, carrying a box of shopping bags with the store’s logo on the front. She stashed them under the counter and pulled out an old-fashioned feather duster.

      “I’ve got a date. Two, kind of, if you count Rick.”

      Jen’s eyes widened. “Tell me.”

      Haley started tidying shelves,