7 Are you my neighbor?

Elizabeth parked in the underground parking lot of her apartment building and turned off the engine.

Huh, what a day.

She is exhausted, but the day ended quite well. It started with an embarrassing scene of her going to a wrong building, she moved into her penthouse, and shopped for groceries. That trip proved to Liz that she needs a car. The grocery store is only two blocks away, but the Seattle streets are so hilly that she was reminded how out of shape she is. Carrying four full grocery bags made the whole trip much more difficult than she would imagine. And then Joshua… oh, that man can talk. He took the opportunity to help her out with bags while suffocating her with an endless chatter. Somewhere between his talk about popular hangouts and museums he mentioned how her neighbor, Mr. Anderson is a single, good looking young man. Like that is important.

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After Joshua left, Liz was too tired to cook so she headed to a restaurant for lunch.

Liz spent first half of the afternoon meeting with her house helper candidates, and she found the winner! Liz's friend-for-hire is Olivia, a 23-year-old art student. Two of them chatted for almost an hour, and Liz didn't even feel the time pass. Olivia will come and visit her tomorrow morning. Liz gave her the guest passcode for her apartment; in case things don't work out, that passcode is easily changed.

It was early afternoon when Liz parted ways with Olivia and she remembered the dreaded walk uphill. That gave her a reminder: get a car.

After getting her car, Liz headed to a large home-décor store in search for accessories which will make her apartment feel like home.

Liz got her drivers' license about ten years ago, but she didn't have many chances to drive. She grew up in New York where you either take the public transportation or a cab. Liz was surprised that even with her beginner's skills, no one beeped at her. Ah, Seattleites are much more patient drivers than the New Yorkers. If she was driving that slowly (with frequent stops) through New York, all nearby cars would have their horns broken before reaching the next traffic light.

Back to present...

Liz is happy with the spoils of her shopping, but now she is looking at the pile of boxes in her trunk and wondering, how many trips she needs to make to take all that up to her penthouse? She is confident that if she stacks them right, she can carry them all that in one trip… maybe…

…

Hunter is frustrated. Why did he get a task to check on his brother?

Father gave Max few days off to recuperate from his accident, so it's nothing strange that he didn't show up to work. But when Quentin called and said that Max left Black Rose three nights ago by himself (without a girl), and that he didn't go to any nightclub or a party since then, Sabrina was alerted. If she is worried, why is she not the one checking on Max? Who cares if her Jackson-dearest is returning from his business trip tonight?

Hunter told her that Max must be with that girlfriend of his, but Sabrina was still not pacified. She told Hunter (repeatedly) that Max does not sound good and that someone (Hunter) needs to check on Max in person.

Well, he is already here… so he might as well check on Max. Or Sabrina will not let him off easily. He locked his car and walked toward the elevator.

Hunter was amused to see a tall pile made of seven boxes and a pair of legs. Even though the girl is wearing jeans, he can tell that those are great looking legs… walking toward the elevator.

Hunter ran his fingers through his hair and checked his breath by blowing gently into his palm… perfect.

Liz paused her steps when she heard someone clear his throat in front of her.

"Can I help you?" Hunter lowers his voice when he is in a girl-charming mode.

"Uhm… yes." Liz stepped back when she saw hands reach around her boxes. That is not the help she had in mind. "If you can call the elevator and press 31, that would be great. Thanks."

Hunter was intrigued by the pleasant female voice which rejected his offer to help carrying obviously too-high pile of boxes which is wobbling when she walks. "Penthouse? No problem."

He noticed that she kept the boxes in-between them on purpose. Is she keeping her distance from him? Ah, how he wishes to see the face which goes with those legs.

Liz was staring at the floor buttons. Why is only 31 lit up?

Her heart pounded hard at the thought that she bumped into a creep. What a bad luck. First day in her new place, and she bumped into a creep! Will he grab her purse? Or try to get into her apartment? Steal things? Hurt her?

"Are you going to the penthouse also?", she asked reluctantly.

"Yes. 31B.", Hunter responded.

"Oh…", Liz craned her neck and her head peered on the side of the boxes to look at Hunter. "I'm in 31A."

Liz looked at the handsome man who was curiously looking back at her. He is young, definitely good looking, going to the apartment across her hall… "Are you Mr. Anderson?"

Hunter raised his eyebrows while wondering, how does she know his last name? "Yes. Hunter Anderson."

Elizabeth's eyes widened when she realized that she is facing her next-door neighbor. "Oh, oh… sorry… for a moment I thought that you might be some creep. I am your new neighbor, Elizabeth. I moved-in today.", she smiled.

Hunter's eyebrows shoot up higher. Did she just call him a creep? Just what is going on in this woman's mind? Did she call herself his neighbor? Hah, Anderson! She thinks that he is Max. He should clarify that… And why does she look familiar?

He was unable to finish his thought when the elevator reached 31st floor.

"After you.", he offered.

"Thank you…", Elizabeth did her best to keep her distance from him and made an awkward move… and the boxes started tumbling.

Hunter caught all five falling boxes skillfully before they hit the floor.

Elizabeth looked at the two remaining boxes in her hands and then at five which Hunter is holding.

"Wow! Do you work in a circus by any chance?", Elizabeth praised him. "Some of those are breakable. Thank you."

"You are welcome." Hunter moved a step back when he saw that Elizabeth wants the boxes back. "Allow me to help you.", he offered.

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, but then she thought that he looks polite, and he is her neighbor… "Sure. Thank you."

"Thank you very much.", Elizabeth thanked Hunter again when he placed the boxes on the coffee table in the living room.

He flashed a charming smile. "No problem. Let me know if I can be of any other help."

Liz was about to thank him again and to usher him out, when she felt her tummy rumbling. It's late and she didn't have dinner… and she does not feel like cooking. She is too tired.

"There is one thing.", she said reluctantly. "I am new in the area, and I would like to order delivery for dinner. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Sure, what do you feel like eating?"

Liz pursed her lips. "Anything, really. I'm starving."

Hunter remembered that Max usually orders something Chinese or Thai, and the food is great. "How about Asian?"

"Sounds great!", Liz beamed.

Hunter got his phone and texted Max: "What is the number of that Asian place from where you order delivery?"

Few seconds later, Hunter got a response from unsuspecting Max.

Hunter made a call and placed the order.

Liz panicked when she realized that Hunter gave his credit card information as a payment. They just met, he helped her with boxes, and with ordering the dinner. How can she accept him to pay for her food?

"What is your phone number?", Hunter asked. He saw Elizabeth's frown of disapproval and explained: "I will forward you the number, so next time you can order yourself."

"Oh…", Liz relaxed and told him her number. Few seconds later she got a text from Hunter for that Asian restaurant.

Hunter praised himself internally. He has her number! He saved it under 'Elizabeth'.

Liz remembered that he paid for the order.

"How much do I owe you?", she asked while getting the wallet from her purse.

He waved his hands, rejecting her money. "Don't worry about it. Treat is as a move-in present from me."

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept that you pay for my dinner."

"Hmmm…", Hunter narrowed his eyes while thinking. "How about… we make it our dinner? Since you are new, I can tell you about the area, there is enough food for two people, and I promise not to be a creep."

Liz furrowed her brows. Dinner with a hot guy? It does not sound bad. But this is her apartment, and she does not know him, and she planned to eat and go to sleep. On the other side, he is her neighbor, and this is a great chance to get to know him better, and so far he is really nice… it's just a meal…

"OK.", she accepted reluctantly. The food is arriving anyway, and he paid for it. It would be super-rude to send him away.

"Do you want something to drink while we wait for the food? I can offer you mint and ginger tea and… water." She looked at him and smiled helplessly. "Sorry, I just moved in, so selection of beverages is quite poor."

Hunter smiled. "Ginger tea sounds great."

He completely forgot that he was supposed to check on his brother.

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