Capture

Feeling Neighborly

I slipped out of the break room as casually as I could manage, my heart racing. The hallway outside was quiet—thank God. I kept my head down and made a beeline for the women's restroom. Once inside, I checked the stalls. Empty. Good.

I let out a quiet, strangled groan, gripping the edge of the sink. You have got to be kidding me. I slammed my palm against the porcelain, the sharp sound echoing off the tile. "Breathe," I whispered to myself. "In. Out." I closed my eyes and obeyed my command.

Of course, Payne would show up here. In my new city. At my new job. On my first freaking day, like the universe had assigned me a personal tormentor. I looked up at my reflection. My expression was all wrong—cheeks flushed, jaw clenched, eyes wide like prey. Since when did one man throw me off balance? Since when did I run out of rooms just to collect myself?

Get it together girl.

I straightened, fixed my hair, and pushed open the bathroom door. I just needed to make it back to my office and keep my head down, but the second I opened the door, a familiar voice stopped me.

"Ah, Emma!" Niall's familiar voice reached me. I turned with a relieved smile, only for it to drop when I saw who was standing behind him. Payne. Still smug. Still here.

I froze mid-step. "Ni—all," I finished weakly, eyes darting to the side of Niall's shoulder, doing everything not to look directly at him.

"Emma, this is Liam," Niall said cheerfully. "Didn't realize you two hadn't met. He's my best mate!"

I couldn't think of a worse introduction. Liam held out a hand, cocky and casual. "You're the photographer."

I stared at his hand for a moment, then reluctantly took it. His grip was firm. Of course it was "And you're... the bike messenger," I replied, voice neutral but loaded.

"Only part-time," he said, smirking. "I work at a gym across town, too."

"Guy's got a hell of a right hook," Niall said proudly. "You should come to one of his fights!"

"Not sure Emma's the type," Liam said without looking away from me.

My eyes narrowed. "What type is that?"

"You know," he said, tone infuriatingly smooth. "Strong stomached."

I smiled sweetly. "Trust me, Liam—I'd love nothing more than to watch you get punched in the face."

His smirk widened. "Only problem, love—I don't lose."

Before I could deliver a sharp retort, the tattooed guy from earlier popped his head in. "Li, let's go. Still got three runs."

"Right." Liam looked at Niall. "Cheers, mate." Then he turned to me. "Emma—it's been a pleasure. See ya around the neighborhood."

It hadn't. He left, the door swinging shut behind him.

"Around the neighborhood," Niall said thoughtfully. "Wait—you're the new neighbor he was talking about!"

I blinked. "He mentioned me?"

"Yeah. Liam said a new person moved in next door, didn't say you two hated each other, though." He gave me a sheepish grin. "He's... an acquired taste."

"How'd you manage to acquire it?"

"Late nights at the pub, and patience, add in a few drunken dart games. He grows on you."

I arched a brow. "So does mold."

Niall laughed and let it go, waving as he left. I sat down and tried to refocus on the Adele edits, fingers moving automatically. But every few minutes, Liam's smirk flashed back into my mind like a glitch I couldn't clear.

Eventually, Niall popped back in.

"Hey, Samantha, just saw your shots. She's impressed. Says you've got a real eye."

I smiled, surprised. "Really?"

"Absolutely. You crushed it today."

I glanced at the clock. "Wow. Didn't realize it was that late."

"Clocked out myself. Wanna walk out with me?"

"Sure." I grabbed my coat and bag, powering down my screen. The rest of the studio had already emptied, lights dimmed, and equipment stowed.

As we stepped into the lobby, I opened my phone to request an Uber.

"You need a ride?" Niall asked.

"I've got one coming—"

"Cancel it. I'm going your way anyway."

"You sure you don't mind?" I asked, and Niall brushed me off with a smile. We walked out of the studio and to the lot where Niall parked.

"What, running a cab service now?" Liam called, walking his bike to the curb.

"You gonna tip me?" Niall asked.

"No, but I've heard Emma tips well." I wanted to jump across and claw his eyes out.

"You need a lift too, mate?" Niall shot back with a grin.

I sighed. "Can't you just... bike home?"

Liam tilted his head, quirking a smile. "Normally, yeah. But I've got a flat."

We all looked down. Sure enough—his tire was sagging.

"Alright, enough bickering. Both of you, in," Niall said, unlocking the SUV with a beep.

Liam rolled me his bike, eyes gleaming. "Feeling neighborly?"

I frowned, moving past him and climbing into the front seat without answering. He stowed the bike and slid into the back behind me.

I stared straight ahead. 

Maybe tomorrow, I'd get through a full day without seeing him, but I wasn't holding my breath.