Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Alyssa: No. Not haunted. I used to live on that street before I moved in with Sterling.
Me: Small world.
Alyssa: Indeed. See you at six.
Me: See you then.
Opening the cabinets, I look for what I might have on hand to bring, but nothing stands out to me. Pulling up my phone, I search for ideas, and when I see cheddar sausage balls, I know that’s what I’m making. It requires a trip to the grocery store, but it will be worth it. They sound so good right now.
Rushing to my room, I take a quick shower, throw on a pair of leggings and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and pull my hair up into a messy bun. It’s not like I need to impress anyone. Slipping my feet into one of my many pairs of Hey Dude shoes, I grab my purse and phone, and I’m out the door.
“Hey, neighbor!” I hear called out.
I stop and turn to look and see two guys walking my way. As they get closer, I recognize them. The Kincaid twins. Maverick and Merrick. My mind races with what the girls told me about them. Which one is taller? Maverick, I think.
“Wait. I know you. Crosby, right?” the shorter of the two asks.
“Yes.”
“This is Blake’s teacher, and we met her at the Tavern with the girls,” he tells his brother. He reaches his hand out to me. “Maverick Kincaid.”
“Crosby Greene.” I don’t know why I say my name. They already know who I am. And yes, Maverick is the taller one. Not by much, and I would have missed it had Kennedy not pointed it out. I make a mental note to thank her.
“How did we not realize you were our new neighbor?” Maverick asks.
“I was busy settling in and getting my classroom ready the week I moved.” That sounds better than I’m a loner. However, since moving here, I don’t feel as alone. I have a great group of ladies to thank for that.
“Where you headed?” Merrick asks.
“Oh, to the grocery store. I’m going to Declan and Kennedy’s tonight, and I’m going to make snacks.”
“I like snacks.” Maverick winks at me.
I can’t hide my chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind. See you both later,” I say, moving to my car. I climb inside and refuse to look their way until I’m out of the driveway. I beep my horn and wave. A quick glance shows them watching me drive away, both with their arms in the air with a wave.
I’ve just finished pulling the second batch of sausage balls from the oven. A quick glance at the clock tells me I have twenty minutes before Alyssa gets here to pick me up. Moving the still-hot treats to a plastic container, I slap the lid on it and head next door. There are two trucks in the driveway, so I assume that means the twins are home. I knock on the door, and a shirtless Kincaid brother, I don’t know which twin it is, answers the door.
“Crosby, hey.” He looks down at my hands. “Whatcha got there?” He leans over to get a better look at the container.
“Who is it?” Another appears, and a slow, sexy smile tilts his lips. “Looks like our girl brought us treats.”
The door-opening twin turns and smacks him lightly on the chest before standing to his full height. “Chill, Mav,” he tells his brother.
That clears up the confusion. I should have known since they did tell me Maverick was the more outgoing twin. I clear my throat. “I made a second batch for the two of you.”
“You did?” Merrick’s eyes light up.
“You said you like snacks, right?”
“Yes,” they say in unison.
“Well, here you go. I hope you like them.”
Maverick reaches for the bowl, pulls off the lid, and pops an entire sausage ball into his mouth. “So good,” he says after swallowing and reaching for another one.
“Thank you, Crosby,” Merrick says politely before reaching in and grabbing one for himself. He, too, shoves the entire thing into his mouth.
“You’re welcome. I need to go. Alyssa should be here any time to pick me up.”
“Just tell her to pick you up here. This is her place, after all.”
“What?”
“This house. We’re renting it from Alyssa. When she moved in with Sterling, they were debating on selling, but we convinced them to rent it to us instead,” Maverick explains.
“I didn’t know that. She did mention when I sent her my address that she used to live on this street.”
A car pulls into my driveway, and I turn to see Alyssa roll down her window. “What are the chances,” she calls over.
I smile, wave, and turn back to the twins. “Enjoy.”
I’m shocked when Maverick, I think it’s Maverick, steps out onto the porch when I turn to wave to Alyssa and gives me a hug. “Thanks, Crosby.”
“These are great. We appreciate it.” Merrick follows his brother's lead and pulls me into a hug.