Seam Route

chapter three

Daisy

How did I involuntarily get freaking Jerkwad as my neighbour? 

Of course, my new neighbour just had to be him.

Why? Why? Why?

When he opened the door and it was him on the other side my mind blanked and I dropped the pie I worked three hours to make. 

Three hours was wasted and my masterpiece of a pie was dropped on his porch. 

When I finished it. I giddily skipped on over to the house beside me after I noticed the car parked on the driveway. Even during nightfall, I could tell it was fancy too. My lovely new neighbour was here.

I wanted to welcome them! Maybe even be friends with them. I'll admit I don't have many people in Southampton. Most of my childhood friends moved away. The ones I have here are working constantly. 

It'd be nice to share some company with the neighbours no matter who they were.

I rescinded that statement as soon as the neighbour opened their door.

The porch was dimly lit and it was dark outside, Jerkwad was in front of me. His hair is wet and he runs his fingers through it. Did I mention shirtless? The dim light outlined each flexed muscle, defined chest, sculpted abs, and corded arms. I couldn't exactly see it but the shadows didn't lie.

The ink fills his arms with tattoos, there are not too many tattoos but they are perfectly placed. My eyes drifted down to his v-line and he was wearing grey sweatpants. 

When I first saw him shirtless like that, I thought maybe he was sleeping with my new next-door neighbour until he looked me in the eyes and told me that he lived there. 

His name isn't Jerkwad, it's Parker.

This is a nightmare, to say the least.

After that awkward meeting, I've spent five straight days meticulously avoiding him. I timed myself to leave the house so I wouldn't have to catch a glimpse of him or hear one of his silly comments.

"Wait, so let me get this straight. You fought with this guy over farmer's fresh berries because you were going to bake your neighbour a welcome pie. You trade your little comments back and forth with this Parker dude. Then you go to greet the neighbour with your pie,  and the neighbour opens the door and it's the same dude?"

I solemnly nod before taking a sip of my green tea.

Eloise lets out a brazen laugh, "Oh my god, this is perfect."

Ronnie brings over some croissants and coffee for herself and Eloise. Our little group is catching up quickly before Eloise has to leave to go to her internship. This cafe has the best pastries in Southampton.

"I know right? And he sounds hot too." Ronnie adds.

"Unfortunately, he isn't hot at all." I'm a liar, he's very hot but I don't want to tell them that. "He's also annoying with no manners, and he says whatever the hell he wants." That part though is truthful.

"Uh-huh," Eloise nods, she raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Seems pretty asshole-y to me, did you stand your ground?"

"Of course she did," Ronnie answered for me, "Daisy took those damn berries home with her."

That I did.

Eloise checks her watch, and then I know she has to go. Eloise straightens out a line of her creme blazer. It perfectly compliments her brown skin, and her braids have these little golden clips. Eloise is one stunning woman and the barista notices it too.