Love Thy Neighbor

Chapter 26

I try to focus the rest of the afternoon, but I have little success. I manage to get a few things done between my long moments of thinking about what happened on the radio show.

I walk home at double my usual speed. Once I am inside my condo, I change into my comfy clothes and sit on my couch, phone in hand. Still no texts.

I decide to text him.

Me: What's your ETA?

Shawn: I just landed and was about to text you

Shawn: Just need to grab my stuff and find the driver assigned to take me home

Shawn: Maybe an hour?

I text him a thumbs up.

A shower sounds like a good idea to help me relax. Actually, a bath sounds even better. I put my hair up in a bun, draw a bath, drop in a Lush bath bomb, and lower myself into the soothing hot water. I shave my legs (it's been a couple weeks, don't judge!) and then sit back for about 30 minutes.

I climb out of the tub and consider putting my sweats and big t-shirt back on but change my mind. Maybe I should put some effort in. I have a satin pajama set that's always seemed so impractical. It's a pale blue color with darker blue piping. I try it on with a bralette, and it looks pretty good. I let my hair down and fluff it out. I brush my teeth and give myself one last look-over. I'm no supermodel, but I look good.

Walking into the living room, I get a text.

Shawn: In the elevator

I really want to go out in the hall. Will that look over eager? Should I wait for him to knock on my door?

Fuck it.

I walk out my door just as the elevator opens. Shawn steps out and sees me. His face bursts into a huge grin. He sets down his guitar and suitcase and just stands there. He then opens his arms up.

It probably looks like a cheesy scene from a bad romance movie, but I run down the hall and jump in his arms. He catches me and lifts me up so our heads are level. I wrap my legs around his waist.

"Hi," I say brightly.

"God, you look and smell so good," he says, nuzzling my neck.

He's still wearing what he had on in the interview and looks exhausted.

"You look like you need about 12 hours sleep," I say as he sets me down.

I grab his guitar as he grabs the suitcase.

We walk to his door. I pick up my keys and phone, which I'd dropped when I made my dash into his arms.

"What I need is one strong drink and you next to me," he says as he unlocks the door.

Before long he has what he needs.

I notice that my phone is vibrating like crazy. I glance at it and see Liz has texted me several times. She probably saw the news.

Shawn finishes his drink in three swigs and puts the glass on the coffee table.

"What's new?" he asks me.

"Nothing much," I say, and I snuggle a bit closer to him. "Work mostly."

"Have they started the renovation on Nana's house?"

"My dad is still trying to find a good contractor. It takes time," I say.

"Any word from Jules?" he inquires.

I shake my head. "She's not responding to texts. I need to just show up at her door."

"That might be the only way to get her to talk," he agrees.

"How was your flight?" I ask.

"I love you," he says abruptly.

Surely I heard that wrong.

"Pardon?"

"You heard me, Jessica. I'm in love with you." And with that, he leans towards me and gives me a soft kiss.

I smile at him after he breaks away.

"I saw the interview," I say. "That was quite a bomb you dropped. I have not looked at the comments, but I imagine your fans are freaking out."

He just shrugs. "So what. They'll get used to it," he pauses, "assuming you are okay with it."

"If I'm not, you embarrassed yourself pretty badly on that show."

"You can't let that happen," he says with a smirk.

"Then I guess it's all good," I say.

Shawn pulls me up on his lap so that I am straddling him. He kisses me hungrily.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you," he says as he kisses my jawline down to my neck.

"I think I know," I say as I adjust myself on his lap.

He moans in my ear.

"You're now my girlfriend, but I want to make you mine," he says, his voice rough.

There is nothing I want more than what he's suggesting.

I climb off his lap and stand, taking his hand and pulling him up.

"I love you, too, Shawn. Let me show you how much."