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kitchen curtains, but had left them on the counter. Kassie didn’t want to take the chance of him seeing her and thinking she was watching him. Though she had seen him leave earlier, she tried not to pay much mind to his comings and goings.
    She had just finished hanging up the curtains and was making her tea when he came out again in dress clothes. Standing under his porch light, Tim looked over at her yard then at her house with a curious expression on his face. Kassie had to admit that he was hot in a geeky kind of way and he did make her heart speed up in a crazy way that had her still trying to figure it out.
    To her consternation, a short, thin woman walked out of the house behind him. Her long brown hair flowed around her shoulders and she wore a spaghetti strapped, tight red dress. She sashayed over to Tim and wrapped her arms around his body. Standing on tip toe in her strappy little heels, the woman whispered something in his ear that made Tim laugh softly. Turning to the woman, he kissed her gently and led her down the steps. His arm slipped around her almost eclipsing the small frame and they kissed again walking down the garden path. Kassie watched his fingers skim over Four O’clocks as they walked and the image of them skimming across her skin hit her.
    “Don’t even.” She scolded herself.
    But she couldn’t fight her growing attraction to him. He was eye-catching and his voice sometimes sent pangs of satin through her.
    Kassie felt a blush stain her cheeks, jealousy burned in her hot and bright and Kassie couldn’t understand it at all. Why should she be angry? Why was she angry? He wasn’t her man and they could barely stand each other, so what the hell was going on with her? No matter how much she talked reason to her heart the jealousy still burned there.
    Kassie turned off the burner under the teapot, checked the locks on the doors and windows and went upstairs. But somehow, she didn’t feel herself; she was in a funky mood. 
    *~*~*~*

Chapter 5
    Her first year sped past so quickly that Kassie barely had time to catch her breath. She had gotten accustomed to her neighborhood and was actually on cordial terms with a few of the neighbors, though she and Tim still kept their distance from each other. However, the same could not be said for Griffin the dog. He invited himself over to Kassie’s house whenever Tim wasn’t looking and Kassie found herself totally in love with the charming little rascal, secretly she’d sneak him treats whenever she got the chance.
    *****
    As the summer was coming to an end, Kassie decided to throw a long overdue housewarming/anniversary party inviting all of her friends and their families. She rented a tent, tables and chairs, and grills. She lit mosquito lanterns and candles all over the yard. Kassie also hired a Pyrotechnician, for a big fireworks display at the end of the evening and clowns and magicians to entertain the kids. Kassie had masses of balloons inflated and tied to her fences, porch, tables, and chairs. When everything was done, Kassie stood in the center of her yard, smiling from ear to ear. Tonight would be awesome!
    *****
    Tim watched it all get set up from his bedroom window. He had been awoken at 7 a.m. by the sounds of voices and work being done next door. Kassie was having a big party and had actually invited some of the neighbors. He watched her interact with the people setting up the festivities and couldn’t help but be amazed. She sure as hell was nicer to these people than she had been to the movers last summer! But then again she seemed to be different, in general . . . nicer. He had seen her talking to a few of the neighbors and had very nearly had a heart attack. Sure, be nice to everyone but him right?
    As some men set up the chairs and tables, Tim watched her come out of her house and froze. She was in the shortest white shorts he’d ever seen. For a curvy girl she looked hot as hell in them. Her cobalt blue tank showed off her