Emma walked out the front door of her apartment complex. She would rather stay in than go out tonight considering the lovely snow storm that had hit. However, she had put off grocery shopping and had literally nothing to eat. So, here she was trudging down the street and just around the corner to pick up groceries.
Emma did her shopping as quick as possible. The snow had put her in a terrible mood and she couldn't wait to get home and snuggle up under some blankets with a good book. She was deciding which new book she would start as she walked home.
As she walked up the landing to her building, the handle of the bag holding her milk stretched and gave way causing Emma to drop the majority of her groceries. Before she could begin gathering her groceries off the sidewalk, a stranger rushed to help her.
"Ya gotta hate when that happens." The stranger said as he grabbed rolling cans before they could roll off the sidewalk.
When he spoke, Emma looked at him for the first time and realized he was the hot neighbor she'd been keeping an eye on for the last two months. Actually, hot didn't begin to describe him.
He stood well over her 5'5". If she had to guess, she'd say he was about 6'4". Well built...aka ripped. Dark cropped hair with a chin strap (which Emma thought was sexy as hell). He had a naturally dark complexion which made his bright blue eyes stand out as his best feature.
When he turned to her with all her groceries cradled in his arms all she could manage was, "thanks." She felt like a complete idiot. She had been fantasizing about this moment for two months, but now that it was here, she had no clue what to do.
As she tried to take the groceries out of his hands, he stopped her. "I'll help you carry them up. You just lead the way." When he smiled at her, she tried to smile back but it felt more like a grimace.
As she turned to finish the trek up to her apartment, she tried to gather her thoughts. She had to think of something. She had been waiting too long to blow this opportunity. She just had to think and find a way to actually talk to him.
She left the door open for him as she walked to the kitchen and laid her share of the groceries on the counter. She gathered her courage and turned to help him unload his arms. "Thank you so much for your help."
"Oh, it was no problem." Finally, his arms were empty and he turned to Emma and stretched out his hand. "I'm Brandon by the way. I live on the next floor up."
"Emma. I think I've seen you around a few times, but it's nice to officially meet you."
"It was nice to meet you too." He looked around at the groceries laying scattered on the counter. "I guess I better leave you to your groceries, but I hope to see you again."
This was it. He was leaving. She had to think of something to say. "Stay."
"Stay?" Brandon gave Emma a curious look as he repeated what she had said. Stay? That was the best thing she could come up with.
"Um, yeah. That is if you haven't eaten yet. I was about to heat a pizza. I'm willing to feed you as a think you for your help." She tried to look casual as she quickly made up an excuse for asking him to stay.
He looked at her for a minute like he was trying to solve a riddle before he smiled and said, "Sure. I haven't had dinner yet."
"Great. You can have a seat in the living room while I pop the pizza in the oven." Emma turned and started the process of 'making' pizza while Brandon walked across the room to sit on the couch. "Feel free to watch tv."
After a few minutes, Emma joined Brandon on the couch, bringing him a soda. "Thanks."
"Your welcome." She sat near enough to know he was beside her but far enough away that he wouldn't think she was trying to make a move on him.
They sat in silence watching Friends for a while, moving a little closer to each other. Their legs were almost touching when the timer for the pizza went off. "Oh, I'll go get that."
"I'll help." Brandon stood and followed her to the kitchen.
