#it's cooool

Thesummer was getting ungodly hot, and nearly all of her plants werestarting to show all the effects, wilting this way or that andlooking at her as if they were crying out for relief. There had beena dry spell through the last few weeks, and her plants were barelyclinging to life as Shirayuki watered them only as much as necessaryto keep them alive. She was trying to do her part when it came toconserving water.

Shesighed and moved toward the side of her tiny house to unravel thehose, setting her nozzle to mist.Checking off a list of things she needed to do in her head, Shirayukiwas distracted as she moved into her front yard, watering her plantsalong the way. Today was a rare day that she had completely off, andthere were at least ten things on her To-Do List that had moved toimportant spots this week. If she finished those things by at leastnoon, then she could meet Yuzuri for lunch and-

“Ah…”

Shirayukiwas yanked out of her thoughts by a sound that was practicallyobscene,and she jerked backward in just enough time to see the mist from herhose watering something that was notherpants. Her cheeks flushed and she couldn’t help but oogle the dropsof moisture that fell into dark hair before sliding down darklytanned skin and a toned chest. Her throat grew suddenly dry andShirayuki wasn’t quite sure when her words would reunite with hermouth. She just stood there dumbly for a moment, watching longfingers curl through dark hair before falling at his side.

“Thanksfor the spray, Miss. It was getting hot.” His smile was lopsided, alittle teasing, and he leaned against the picket fence. He was allease, his voice playful even though he’d gotten a face full of hosewater. “I don’t think I’m what you were aiming for though.”

“Myroses… they’re a bit dry…” Shirayuki tried to look anywhereotherthan his smiling face and molten gold stare, but as she pulled hereyes down his body she realized with no small amount of shame thathis jersey shorts had gotten wet… and there was nothingleftto the imagination. She nearly squeaked out of shock and turned tostare at her roses, praying she could just disappear into theirleaves. “Ah. I’m sorry… I can… I can go get you a towel.”

“Nah.It’s fine. It’s gonna be so hot today, I’m sure I’ll dry in afew minutes anyway.”

Theease of his voice made her look up again. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”His smile cocked to the side, as he looked at her with question. “Youjust moved here, right? I mean to the neighborhood.”

Shenodded, her hands tightening around the nozzle for the hose. “Idid… I just moved in a few months ago. I haven’t really metanyone yet, but the place seems nice. I like the family next door.”

“Yeah!The Fosters. They’re nice. Kids are cute, dogs are obnoxious. Theybark at everything.I think the Curtis’ are on the other side of you, but they’resnowbirds so they only come up in the summer, and even then you neverreally see them.” He smiled and flicked his hair out his eyes,suddenly looking a bit bashful, as if he realized he’d been talkinga bit too much. As if to distract her, he slid over his arms andwiped a few drops of moisture from his skin, letting them flick ontothe pavement. “Anyway, I live with some friends down the street…in 1402. You should come hang out with us tomorrow. We’re cookingout.”

“Oh.”Shirayuki tried not to think about the water that was still clingingto his skin, and she looked back up into his eyes. Before what sherealized her mouth was doing, she was already confirming plans fortomorrow. “I um… sure? I can bring something over… I’d liketo meet some more neighbors, if that’s okay.”

“Oh,yeah! Bring some friends if you want. It’ll be pretty chill. I’lllet my roommates know you’re coming.” He looked a littlepanicked, as if he wasn’t expecting her to say yes, and thenfumbled for a moment to pull himself together. Flashing her anothersmile, he reached over her picket fence and offered his hand. “I’mObi, by the way… I don’t think I introduced myself or anything.”

“Shirayuki.”She couldn’t help but note that his hand felt strong,long fingers and a firm grip made her cheeks flush with fantasiesabout how dexteroushishands really were. “Do you always run this early in the morning? Idon’t know if I’ve seen you before.” Did that sound weird? Ohgod. That probably sounded weird. Shewasweird. Whywas he making her act so weird?

“Usually.”He shrugged and looked down the street before glancing back at her.“I don’t usually run this way though, so I’m glad I did today.It was a happy accident to get all wet by you.”

Washe flirting? Shirayuki didn’t know how to flirt!The last time shehad tried to flirt with someone, she’d made a fool of herself infront of an entire study hall. What in the world was she supposed todo? She swallowed the lump that was building in her throat and felther eyes drag back down his body before she could stop herself. “Ah…right… sorry. About the water, I mean. The towel offer still standsif you want it.”

Wasshe flirting? Probably not, but at least she was trying.

“I’llhold you to it.” His watch beeped and he glanced back down beforelooking back at her. There was a flash of reluctance across his face,as if he was warring with himself about what he wanted to do next.“Ah man, I gotta get going. It was nice to meet you…” Heshifted his weight again, trying to drag out the time he was spendingwith her. “So, will I see you tomorrow?”

Shirayukiblinked. “For the cook out or for your run?”

“Well,that depends…” His smile returned, all lopsided and charming, andhe leaned against her fence, looking like the epitome of casualflirtation. “Are you going to be watering your plants same timetomorrow?”

Shewas now. “Yes.”

“Thenboth.”

Shirayukinodded, knowing that she probably looked like an idiot, staring athim with wide eyes and a burning red face. “I guess I’ll see youtomorrow then.”

“Good.”He pulled back, watching her carefully. “Then I guess I’ll seeyou tomorrow sometime.”

Shirayukinodded, realizing that her roses were going to be sowell wateredthissummer.

—

Obipushed open the side door of their house to find Zen sitting at thekitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee as he flicked through messageson his phone. His shoulders were hunched, but Obi could see a flashof a picture on his screen. Of courseZenwould spend his morning looking at pictures of his ex. What a greatway to start the day, actually. His eyes flicked to Obi for just amoment before looking back down into his phone with a snort.

“You’regrinninglike an idiot.” His tone sat somewhere between a question and anaccusation, but he was ultimately curious. Happiness always made Zencurious and it was so weird. The poor guy just needed some love.

“Well…I just met the girl who lives in 1205.” Obi’s smile widened.“She’s cute. Looks single. Nice yard. Oh!” He snapped hisfingers, as if remembering something for the first time. “She hasthe roses you compliment every time you pass.”

Zen’sjaw ticked and he glanced up at him. There was the heavy silence thatseemed to weigh over the kitchen as he realized exactlywhatObi was doing, and howhewas doing it. Zen swallowed the rest of his coffee in one gulp andstood up. Ooo, Obi had worked him up, this ought to be fun to watch.“No.I won’t have you setting me up with a neighbor.And I don’t care how nice her roses are I’m not-”

“Oh,come on…don’tsay you don’twantto take a stroll in her rose garden.” Obi’s smile widened at theinnuendo, and Zen just balked, taking a step back. Obi laughed andpoured himself a glass of water. Zen just glared at the back of hishead. “I’m telling you, she’s cute. She could help you getover-”

“AndI’m telling you no.”Zen huffed and made his way to the door. “I don’t want you tryingto hook me up with everyone you see.”

“Pity.”Obi gulped down some water and grinned again. “Because I invitedher to a cookout tomorrow.”

Zenpaled, eye wide. “Whatcookout?”

“Apparentlyone we’re throwing tomorrow.” He picked up Zen’s keys from thetable and jangled them in front of his face before heading out of thekitchen. “Guess we’re going to the store.”

“Obi.”