When I’d written my first—and only other—book, everything had just… come to me. It had been like opening a valve and releasing something that had been locked inside, waiting to be let out. The yearning to be loved, fiercely. The wonder of becoming someone else’s world. The joy of finding that person—that one person—that… fits. Someone who isn’t necessarily perfect, because nobody really is, but someone who is perfect for you.
The time-traveling spin had been just for fun, because I’d always had a soft spot for a lost, fish-out-of-water hero. So I created a man from the past, an officer stuck in the present day, battling his demons and trying to come to terms with a love he thinks he doesn’t deserve. Because he might have been lost, but that never meant he couldn’t be found by someone. His person. Even when all odds are against him and even after being flung forward in time a century or two.
So why couldn’t I—
A loud screech caught my attention.
Lucas?
It couldn’t be. He’d left to explore the city a few hours ago and wasn’t supposed to return until late afternoon.
I walked to the door and looked through the peephole.
An old woman dressed in red dungarees stood in front of her door across the hall, her hands on her hips. A loveseat seemed only halfway inside her apartment.
I stepped into the hallway and ventured a “Hi there! Do you need help with that?”
No reaction or acknowledgment. The woman was busy pulling at one of the arms of the mustard-colored leather loveseat, which was lodged into the doorframe.
“Hello?” I said a little louder, taking a step forward. “Can I help you moving that?”
Still oblivious to my presence, the woman—who must have been somewhere in her seventies from the mane of gray hair and crooked posture—shoved the piece of furniture forcefully. And when it didn’t move, she took a couple of staggering steps back.
Closing the distance between us quickly, I gripped one of the arms of the loveseat.
Her gaze finally zeroed in on me, her brows shooting up her wrinkled forehead. She screeched, “Oh, for the love of all that is holy!” A hand patted her chest. “You scared the bejesus out of me, girl!”
I gave her my friendliest smile. “I’m so sorry, I tried to get your attention a couple of times, but you must have somehow missed me.”
Her eyes narrowed.
My smile fell. “I’m Rosie.” I waited for her to introduce herself, but she didn’t. “It looks like you’re struggling with this, and I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
The woman’s eyes swiped up and down my body very slowly. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know if I can help you?” I frowned. Her gaze settled on my arms. “I’m stronger than I look?”
For whatever reason, I formulated that as a question.
The woman tilted her head. “Maybe.” Still unconvinced, she continued her perusal. “You don’t live here.”
“You’re right.” I pointed behind me with my thumb. “But I’m friends with Catalina, your neighbor. I’m staying at her place for a couple of days.”
“I don’t know any Catalina.”
My expression fell. “Catalina Martín. Short? Brunette? Around my age? You don’t know her?” The lady blinked. “She… She…” Why couldn’t I think of anything that would describe my best friend? “Oh God, I swear I know her—”
She waved a hand in the air, stopping me. “I was testing you.” A low chuckle left her. “Always says hi, no partying, no stinky animals, and a very tall boyfriend. I like her. And I like him, too.”
“That’s the one, yes.”
“Did she have anything to do with the hassle going on in the hallway two nights ago?”
I flinched. “Oh, that was actually me and my…” I trailed off, not knowing how to finish that. My roommate? My best friend’s cousin I mistook for a burglar? “Lucas. Not my Lucas, but just Lucas. I’m sorry for the trouble.” I paused, growing uncomfortable. I looked at the loveseat once again. “So… Do you think we can move this? Together?”
Lina’s neighbor gave me one more once-over. “Fine, I guess you’ll do. I’m Adele, by the way.”
“Thanks, Adele,” I said, gripping the side of the seat with both hands. Rolling my shoulders back, I readied myself to give Adele some instructions. “I think we should push it back inside, so we can maneuver it. So, at the count of three we are going to do that, okay?”