7 Modern - Chapter 1

"Did you hear that Jace is moving?"

I tried to keep my shock from showing on my face, but I was sure that Christine saw it. Of course, she probably knew all about my major crush on the hot guy who lived in the apartment beneath mine, though she never said as much. As our apartment manager, she was always passing on the latest gossip to me.

"When?"

"In the next week or two, I assume. He got a new job in Washington State."

I sighed. Well, there went my dreams. I had been hoping to catch Jace's attention for the last two years, but I wasn't even sure if he knew my name.

Granted, I was not his usual type. He was tall, muscular, attractive, and definitely the kind of man who probably had women throwing themselves at his feet with his long blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. I was average height and curvy, and not exactly the right kind of curvy. I worked out, so I was healthy, but I was not what anyone would call petite. My hair was boring brown and my eyes were muddy hazel.

Still, I hadn't been able to let go of that small flicker of hope that one day he would look up and realize that we could do well together. Now I was out of time to convince him.

I walked out to my car to head to work. Only one more week, maybe two, and Jace would be gone. I considered doing something more forward than anything I had tried to date, but I couldn't bring myself to take the risk.

Instead, at 9 p.m., after a long and distracted day at work, I did as I had every night for the last two years. I put on one of my all-time favorite songs, "Knock Three Times", a little louder than was technically polite. I had hoped for two years to hear my own triple knock from the apartment below, but I was pretty sure that Jace hadn't gotten the hint. Too bad, really.

Tonight, feeling my emotions rising so close to the surface, I found myself dancing them out, hopping around my living room, kicking my feet, and just doing whatever felt natural. I'd never taken a dance class, so my dancing was mostly instinct with a little flavor of Just Dance thrown in.

As the song ended, I moved to turn the volume down. I was so focused on my speakers, I almost missed the knocking. *Knock knock knock* I paused the music and listened carefully. A few seconds later, I heard it again. *Knock knock knock* It wasn't the door. In fact, it sounded rather like it was coming from below me. As I stood debating what to do, I heard it one more time. Thinking back over the song lyrics, I smiled. I ran to the kitchen and scribbled a note on a scrap of paper.

"Meet me by the pool in 30 minutes. -E"

Grabbing some yarn from my basket of half-finished crocheting projects, I poked a hole in the note, tied it to the yarn, and lowered it carefully over my balcony, which was situated right above Jace's. I was gratified when, a few seconds later, I heard his patio door open and felt a tug as someone pulled on the yarn.

I considered glancing down, but didn't want to ruin the mystery of the moment, so instead I reeled the yarn back up. Another three knocks told me that he had received the note and agreed to my meeting.

Realizing that I was wearing my sweats and a grubby t-shirt, I quickly headed to my room. Should I wear a swimsuit in case he wanted to join me for a nighttime swim? Or would a dress be better? I threw on my favorite black one piece suit with a ruched front, low back, and halter top. It made me feel powerful and sexy, playing up the curves I liked and disguising the ones I didn't. Then, over the suit, I added a cute, flowery dress with a high waist and knee-length skirt, perfect for a warm summer night in Texas. It had a wider halter top, so it covered up the straps of my suit.

Looking in the mirror, I pulled my hair out of the messy bun I'd thrown in after work and pulled a comb through my loose curls. It was a good look for me. I winked at my reflection and tried to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

After 20 minutes, I headed down to the pool to wait. There was a small alcove in the hallway to the pool area, so I waited there. No one else was out at this time on a weeknight.

I had been waiting in the alcove for a few minutes when I heard determined, masculine footsteps headed my way. I peeked out and saw the outline of a tall, muscular man walking towards the pool. As he passed the alcove, I reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him into the alcove with me.

"What the-" he said, but I cut him off by pushing him against a wall and wrapping my arms around his neck, then pulling him into a kiss.

Jace was more solid than I had expected. He was taller than he looked from a distance, and his broad shoulders and waist were well-muscled. His hair was a little shorter than I thought, but unexpectedly soft as I ran my fingertips through the ends.

He responded enthusiastically to my kiss, pulling me tight against him and tangling his hands in my long curls.

When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard. He broke the silence first. "You really pack a punch," he said softly, brushing my cheek with gentle fingers. "But I feel like I should know your name before I kiss you again."

I laughed. "I'm Emmy."

"Emmy. I like that. I'm Derren."

I felt like I had been doused in cold water. Derren? Who on earth was Derren? I looked more closely at his face in the dim light from the hall. He had a stronger jaw and slightly darker hair than Jace. I should have realized it when he was taller and broader than I expected, but it never occurred to me that I wasn't with Jace. Well shoot, I had just grabbed the wrong guy! Was Jace about to come find me making out with some random stranger?