Caught in the rain.

You've got to be kidding me!

I shrieked, the house keys dropping to the ground.

Oh, come on!

It was pouring rain, dark outside, and here I was, struggling to get the

front door open. I was supposed to be house-sitting for my boss, and so far things weren't going

so well. Are you okay?

Came a loud voice off to my right.

Wait, hold up!

I looked over just in time to see the next door neighbor, Gavin, jogging towards me through the rain.

It was coming down hard, in slanted sheets that stung my cheeks. I had known Gavin from the last time I had to house sit, when he came over

to help me carry groceries out from my car, and we had coffee on the back porch.

"'You are always coming to my rescue,' I said, laughing despite everything.

Gavin's hair was soaked, just like mine was, and I couldn't help but watch as the water dripped off his chiseled jawline.

He managed to get the door open in just a couple of seconds, and I hurried through.

The air conditioning was bitingly cold, and I wrapped my arms around me. Gavin stood in the doorway, the rain

still pouring down behind him. Okay, well, thank you, I said quickly, closing the space between

us. And you can...

You can stay.

If you want, I can make you a tea or something.

But as I spoke, his face was turning to the side and moving closer to mine.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I swear it stopped

...