Hunter watched Liz rummage through the kitchen cabinets while looking for mugs and a pot for the tea. Like a true new tenant, she does not know where things are. He stifled a laugh more than once as she repeatedly cursed under her breath while trying to find the right size pot.
Hunter caught himself staring when she tiptoed to reach the mugs which are on the highest shelf. As she lifted her arms to reach up, her top moved higher, revealing the flawless skin of her slender waist. The perfect back view. He forced himself to look away.
"Let me get the mugs.", Hunter offered when he noticed Liz lifting her knee, ready to climb on the kitchen countertop.
Liz happily accepted his help.
She took a mental note to get a stool because that top shelf is too high for her.
Luckily, Hunter is taller, and he can reach without problems. But she can't expect that he will be here whenever she needs a mug... or maybe she can rearrange things and keep the mugs lower...
"You said that you are new in the area?", he asked once the pot with water was on the stove and the two of them moved to the living area.
Liz confirmed. "I moved here from the East Coast because of work."
"Work? Are you in IT?" Hunter is aware that there are many IT companies in the Seattle area, and most of the people who move here do it because of those jobs.
Liz shook her head. "No. I'm in the medical field."
"There are no hospitals on the East Coast, so you had to move here?", he asked teasingly.
"I wanted to start anew, and I heard that the FMC has openings which match my qualifications. I had my interview on Monday and they offered me a job right away.", Liz said proudly.
"FMC?", Hunter is not familiar with that acronym.
"Mhm…", Liz confirmed. "Franciscan Medical Center."
She glanced toward the stove and saw that the pot is steaming. "I will check if the water is boiling."
Hunter looked at Liz while she poured the hot water into the mugs and in his mind, some pieces started falling into place. Monday? Franciscan Medical Center? What a coincidence, he was there to pick up Max… and that is when he bumped into Max's girlfriend.
His eyes widened when the realization hit him: she is the girl who walked out of Max's room! That is why she is familiar! And those legs!
Hunter's mind exploded: he is in the apartment of Max's girlfriend! Liz is his almost sister-in-law!
At the next moment, he sighed. Eh, too bad. She is very attractive, and those legs definitely got his attention… and she seems to be smart and kind as well. He remembers that his first opinion of her was that she is classy, not noisy, and polite. Well, after he heard her cursing while searching for pots, maybe not absolutely polite, but the rest stands.
Ah, Max is a lucky bastard… No wonder he fell for Liz. Hunter does not know her well, but based on what he found out so far, he can say that she is an amazing young woman.
Hunter remembered that they bumped into each other in the hallway, so she didn't see him enter Max's room, and it seems that she does not remember him… Should he introduce himself properly? What should he say? Hunter practiced in his mind: 'Hi, there seems to be a mistake, I am not your neighbor, I am your brother-in-law…'
Hunter frowned while thinking how some things don't add up… How can she mistake him for her neighbor (Mr. Anderson)? Doesn't Liz know that her neighbor is Max? Didn't Max say that the two of them are dating? He needs to investigate this!
"Is everything OK?", Liz asked when she returned with two mugs of steaming tea. She saw that his brows are furrowed.
"Yeah…", Hunter cleared his throat while choosing his words. "Say… you were at the Franciscan Medical Center on Monday. Did you by any chance bump into someone in the hallway?"
Liz shook her head for few seconds and then stopped when she remembered that she did bump into someone… a tall young man, handsome, light brown hair, piercing blue eyes… She looked at Hunter while wondering, how does he know? Liz inhaled sharply. "Don't tell me… it was you?"
"I am a bit disappointed that I'm forgettable.", Hunter admitted.
"Oh, oh…", Liz was not sure how to respond so she awkwardly laughed. "No, no… not forgettable… You are anything other than forgettable! It's just that… I was upset and I was not watching where I'm going. Sorry about that. I can't believe that it was you. Who would have known that I will bump into my future neighbor.", she mumbled to herself this last part.
Hunter wanted to correct her on him being the 'future neighbor', but he decided to do it later. He found another part that is more important at this point: "Upset? Because of the interview?"
Liz composed herself. "No. That morning was horrible. The only good thing was the interview. Trust me on that one."
Hunter perked up. "Horrible? How come?"
Liz puffed her cheeks and frowned. "Can we change the topic? That morning I've met the most unpleasant man in the world. Actually, I bumped into you because he frustrated me beyond belief and I didn't look where I was going. I don't want to think about that experience, if possible."
Hunter was not sure if he should laugh or cry… probably laugh until crying. Did she just call his brother the most unpleasant man in the world? And Max came home and told everyone that she is his girlfriend? He really-really needs to find out what happened on Monday! And what is the connection between Liz and Max? Based on her behavior, it does not seem that she thinks of Max as her boyfriend. But if he mentions that he is THE brother, considering her displeasure with Max, Liz will probably put her guard up and not tell him anything. Huh, what should he do?
So many unknown things, but Hunter is 100% confident that his brother lied about Liz being his girlfriend. This sweet girl shows such an unpleasant expression at the thought of Max, there is no way that she fell for Max's charms. Oh, Max did say that she is different. Is this what he meant? Did Max fall for her?
Hunter got a strong urge to find out as much as possible about Elizabeth, and he will start with this dinner!
Hunter was still in his thoughts when the food arrived.
The mood during dinner was relaxed.
Liz told him some bits about herself… how she is the only child, and her father raised her, and that she likes to read.
Hunter told her that he is an MBA student and he is learning about the family business. He also likes to read, and they have several books in common which both of them appreciate.
Hunter felt a bit guilty for not clarifying the whole neighbor mix-up situation, but just a bit. He comforted himself that he never confirmed that he is the neighbor. He just didn't deny it. The rest are her assumptions.
After the meal, he offered to help with the cleanup, but Liz told him that she can handle it.
He got the hint.
"Thank you for sharing a meal with me.", Hunter responded with a charming smile on his face. "It was great meeting you and I hope we get to spend more time together in the future."
"Same here.", Liz responded with a bright smile, happy to see that he is leaving without her making it more obvious.
He walked to the door and paused. "Do you have plans for tomorrow?"
After more than an hour of chatting with Hunter and he didn't do anything inappropriate, Liz totally lowered her guard around him. "In the morning, yes. But after 11 I'm free."
"Great! What do you think about this: I pick you up at 11, show you around the area, and we have lunch?", Hunter offered.
Liz thought for a second before accepting. "Sure, sounds fun. You know where to find me."
His smile widened, revealing two dimples, one on each cheek. "Excellent! I will see you at 11."
Hunter walked across the hall and his charming smile turned into a devilish one while he punched the guest passcode for the apartment 31B. He needs to talk to Max and find out what exactly is going on with this girlfriend nonsense.
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