Page 21 of The Annoyingly Attractive Neighbor

Accidental Domesticity

It had been two months since Claire Bennett had moved into her Manhattan apartment. The cool spring mornings she’d arrived to had given way to summer heat that settled over the city before nine leaving her regretting any clothing choice that involved sleeves.

During those two months, she had spent far more time with Noah Carter than she’d ever intended.

She didn’t do it on purpose. It just happened.

Despite her insistence, the night that he finished her bookshelf and they had pizza was not a one-time thing. Noah was right.

It wasn’t that she asked him for help, but he showed up and he fixed it. He didn’t let her say no.

He still brought her coffee some mornings. She had finally learned how to use her espresso machine, but she chronically overslept. She wouldn’t have time to make coffee. Noah would show up with one.

He still texted her to make sure she ate. It also was not uncommon for them to eat dinner together. It was Noah’s fault. He “accidentally” made too much of whatever he was cooking several times a week. And instead of bringing her a plate, he started eating with her.

At some point Noah had stopped knocking before dinner and started texting her one word. Pasta?

Claire always answered with some version of Only if you accidentally made too much.

He always had.

It beat eating alone.

They also started going grocery shopping together. That was a complete accident.

It was a Saturday morning. She ran into him in the hallway. He asked what her plans for the day were.

She said, “I need groceries.”

He said, “So do I.”

“You don’t have to come with me.”

“I didn’t say I was.”

“You’re coming.”

“Apparently.”

And suddenly they went grocery shopping together every Saturday morning. The next Saturday, Noah was waiting by the elevator with reusable bags.

By their third Saturday grocery trip, Noah had learned that Claire refused to buy oat milk from the front and Claire had learned that he could spend ten minutes comparing pasta sauces because one contained an ingredient he didn’t recognize.

Neither of them acknowledged that they had begun keeping things the other liked in their own carts.

But she was NOT falling for him. It was just convenient. He was there.

Maybe she let him help with things in the apartment, but it was easier than saying no. He was exhausting to argue with. They both had to eat. May as well eat together. They both needed groceries. May as well go together.

And Claire was starting to realize, maybe she didn’t hate having somebody around. Maybe it was nice to not be alone all the time.

Her phone buzzed.

Noah: Biscuit says he wants you to come on our walk.

It was a Sunday evening.

Claire: Noah, for the last time, Biscuit can’t talk.