Was this the same guy I first met? He was thoughtful and sweet…a direct contradiction to what he normally was. He brought girls back to his apartment then kicked them out without even a kiss on the cheek. He was a jerk and used women. But then he could be thoughtful. “That was really nice of you.”

He shrugged. “I do what I can. Sometimes medicine can only go so far.”

“Yeah…” I looked into his eyes, seeing the color of the ocean.

“And why are you here?”

“I was visiting my nana.”

“Oh.” Sadness came into his eyes. “I hope she’s okay.”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “She’ll be fine. It’s nothing too serious.”

He didn’t ask for details. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Well, I should probably go.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Me too.” He stepped around me. “Wait. How’s your truck?”

“It’s running good. I haven’t had any problems.”

“Good. But I really think you should upgrade.”

“Never. I’ll drive that thing until I can’t afford to fix it.”

“Why are you so attached to this truck?” he asked. He stared at my face, his eyes lingering on mine. He used to check out my ass and chest whenever he looked at me, but he stopped doing that. Now he always looked at my face, his eyes never wandering.

“It was my grandfather’s.”

He nodded slowly. “So it has sentimental value to you?”

“It was his first vehicle when he came to the United States from Chile. I can never get rid of it.”

“You’re Chilean?” He seemed interested.

“Yeah.”

He kept staring into my eyes. “Well, I’m glad we could save your truck before anything permanent happened.”

“Yeah, that makes two of us.”

He stepped away. “I guess I’ll see you later, then.”

“Yeah.” I needed to head home and get ready, but I was distracted talking to Ash. “I’ll see you around.”

He headed down the hallway as I stepped inside the elevator. When I waited for the doors to close, I stared at his back, noticing the muscles of his shoulders and arms. I’d never noticed them before.

When the doors were closed, the image was burned into my mind.

I wore an olive green dress because I thought highlighted my skin tone. I tried to wear brighter colors because of my dark skin. It really brought out my eyes even though they were brown. My hair was curled and I pulled it over one shoulder. The bracelet my grandfather got me was on one wrist. After I deemed myself worthy enough to be seen in front of other people, I left my apartment and drove to the gallery.

I was nervous and I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t need to make a speech or even acknowledge I was an artist at all. I could pretend to be a spectator just hanging in the back. But I guess I feared no one would like my work. Just because no one knew the photographs belonged to me didn’t mean I wouldn’t be insulted if they criticized them.

When I arrived at the building, I stayed in the truck for a moment, trying to gather my bearings. I wished Jace were there. He didn’t care about my photography and would probably be bored the whole time, but it was better than being alone.

I finally got out and walked inside with as much grace as I could muster. It was crowded with people. Waiters carried trays of champagne and wine. People mingled near the walls, examining a sculpture or painting. Classical music played overhead.

I wasn’t sure what to do with myself, so I moved through the gallery and examined other pieces. It was probably a good thing that I didn’t have money otherwise I would buy a lot of artwork. I didn’t even have enough space on my walls to include everything.

I spotted Livia standing in front of a painting. It wasn’t hers, but she looked inspired while she stared at it.

“I like your dress.” I came beside her.

She smiled when she looked at me. “Oh my god, you look beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks redden. “Thanks.”

She wrapped her arms around me and embraced me. “Don’t be nervous. I can tell you are.”

“It’s my first time.”

Scotty appeared and handed her a glass. “Champagne, babe?”

“Thanks.” She sipped it while she grinned at him.

Scotty smiled at me. “You look nice.”

“Thanks.” Her boyfriend was so polite.

“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.

His question just made me depressed. I was here—alone. My boyfriend never pampered me the way Scotty pampered her. I never received a look like he gave her in my life. “No, thank you.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“It’s really okay.”

An older couple approached them.

“There are some beautiful pieces in here.” She held herself like a Stepford wife.

“There are,” Livia said. “Mom, this is my friend Alaska. She’s a photographer.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” She shook my hand.

“Likewise.”

Then she introduced her father.

I shook his hand. “Your daughter is very talented.”

“So I hear,” he said.

“Let’s keep looking.” Her mother linked her arm with her husband’s and trailed away.

Now I was really jealous. Her boyfriend and her parents were here. “You have a lovely family.”

“Except my brother.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s a classic jerk.”

“Then he must not be here.”

“No, he always comes,” she said immediately. “I just call him a jerk because I hate him. But I love him. It’s complicated…”

Apparently.

“There he is.” She waved him over. “I want you to meet my friend.”

My heart plummeted into my stomach when I saw the face of the man I saw every day. He lived just across the way from me. We’d butted heads as often as we got along. I just saw him a few hours ago and now I saw him again.

Ash stared me down, not reacting. His eyes lingered on my hair and face, taking me in. I couldn’t read his reaction. His eyes guarded his thoughts.

Livia didn’t notice. “Ash, this is my friend Alaska.”

In a trance, I stuck out my hand to shake his.

He took it but his grip was weak.

It was the first time we’d ever touched each other. I was surprised by how smooth his skin was. It was warm, inviting. His eyes never left my face, taking me in. Neither one of us spoke. We didn’t even shake hands. Instead, he held my hand, feeling my fingers.

Livia glanced back and forth between us. “Do you know each other…?”

Ash didn’t look at her. “Yeah…she’s a friend.”

Since I always considered him a nuisance, I never thought of him as anything more than a mere pain. “I’m his neighbor.” I thought that was a better explanation.

Livia’s eyes widened and her mouth was slightly open. “You’re neighbors…?”

“Yeah.” Why was that surprising?

“Like, you live next door to him?” she asked.

Ash shot her a glare.

“Yeah…” Why was this so hard for her to understand?

“And you drive an old beat up truck?” Her voice grew more excited. She was about to hop on her toes and squeal.

“How did you know that?” I asked.

“Ignore my sister,” Ash snapped. “She’s just being annoying.”

“I was the one who took Ash to get the oil.” She clapped her hands excitedly.

Ash turned red in the face.

“It’s a small world after all…” I didn’t know what else to say.

Livia grabbed Scotty’s hand. “There’s a painting I want to show you.” She yanked him away, practically spilling her champagne.

When they were gone, Ash dropped his hand and put it in his pocket. “How do you know my sister?”

“We’re doing a showcase together.”

He nodded. “I guess that isn’t surprising.” He scratched the back of his neck then returned his hand to his pocket. His eyes took me in for a long moment. “You look lovely tonight.”

Lovely? I didn’t think he was capable of saying that word. Hot or sexy sounded more suitable to his vocabulary. “Thank you.”

“The green color really compliments your skin.”

Another sweet compliment. “Thank you.”