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knew Chad would’ve killed me if he found out later that I turned down your offer to fix him up with your sister.”
    “That’s not true and you know it. You went to the shelter with me the other day, and that had nothing to do with Jodi and Chad.”
    I slowly turn in my chair only to find her intense eyes studying my every move. I nervously clear my throat. “In case you haven’t noticed, you can be very annoying. Very. Annoying. I went because I was under the misguided impression that you might actually leave me alone afterward.”
    “Oh, Tyler. You’re too darn cute.”
    Cute? I hate it when she describes me as cute. As much as I don’t want or need a woman in my life, the last thing I want to be called is cute. Sexy, maybe. Hell, I’d even settle for handsome, but not cute. Teddy bears are cute. Babies are cute. Twenty-eight-year-old males are not cute.
    “I have to spend time with my parents later, but tomorrow we should go do something.” I’ve already turned back towards my computer, but I can see her smiling out of the corner of my eye. She’s enjoying herself, and I’m afraid that doesn’t bode well for me and my attempt to remove Lennie from my life.
    ***
    MY EYES DART TO THE door. “Man, you’re jumpy today,” Chad states as he opens a bottle of water.
    “What are you talking about?” His eyes follow mine towards our apartment door.
    “That right there is what I’m talking about. You’re not working. Instead, you keep glancing at the damn door like you’re waiting for someone. Possibly our new neighbor?”
    I force myself not to react because Chad is right. I haven’t seen Lennie in over two days. Since the other day when she made it clear she wasn’t done messing with me.
    “Are you kidding me? Lennie is annoying, and she keeps me from getting any work done. I don’t need her brand of distraction in my life.”
    Chad’s eyes narrow. “Whatever you say, man.”
    Chad starts to walk down the hallway towards his bedroom when he looks over his shoulder. “I saw Jodi yesterday but no Lennie. Just in case you’re wondering.”
    This time, I groan. “I don’t give a damn about Lennie Jacobs,” I shout loud enough for him to hear me.
    “Keep telling yourself that and maybe it will come true.”
    I breathe out a long breath as my eyes unwillingly glance back at the door. Lennie is annoying, plain and simple. I’m happy she hasn’t shown up in days. What I can’t figure out is why even when she’s not around I find myself incredibly distracted.

“OH, MY BABIES,” MOM COOS at Jodi and me as we make our way inside their house.
    “Mom, I love this color on you.” I roll my eyes at Jodi’s lame attempt to suck up.
    “Oh, thank you. There was a huge Michael Kors sale at the Galleria, and I couldn’t help myself.”
    “You should have called me. I would have gone with you.” My nose turns up listening to them talk. I have to beg Jodi to go out for a beer, but apparently, if I want to go out shopping she’s game.
    “Good evening,” Dad says as he steps into the room.
    “Daddy,” Jodi greets before kissing him on the cheek.
    “How are you tonight, Lennie?” he questions when Jodi steps away and wanders towards Mom.
    “I’m doing great as always.”
    Dad clears his throat. “Your mother worries when you don’t answer her calls, and you rarely answer her calls.”
    He’s starting in already. “What can I say? I’m a busy person.”
    “It’s fine, really,” Mom says in an attempt to keep either of us from blowing up. “Dinner is ready, so I suggest we eat.”
    Dad continues to stare at me as the four of us walk to the dining room.
    “Mom, dinner smells wonderful.”
    “Oh, thank you, but I can’t take the credit. I had it brought in.”
    “You still ordered it, sweetheart. It’s the thought that counts.” He glares in my direction after his last comment.
    After the food is passed around, we all start eating in silence until Dad questions Jodi about work. “I