Meeting The Unpredictable Read online

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About The Author

  Other Works

  Copyright © 2016 by Riann C. Miller

  First published in 2016.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual, locations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior express, written consent of the author.

  This book is intended for mature adults only. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.

  Cover Design, Interior Design and Formatting by Juliana Cabrera of Jersey Girl & Co. Designs

  Editing by Edee M. Fallon, Mad Spark Editing

  What happens when opposites attract?

  TYLER BROOKER has spent the last six years constructing his perfectly boring life, which is exactly the way he wants it. He spends his days hiding behind the protective walls he has so carefully built and has no intentions of changing...until he meets the unpredictable.

  LENNIE JACOBS is an intoxicating mess. She never stays anywhere long enough to form a solid relationship with anyone, including her family, because she has taught her fragile heart that love isn’t an option.

  What started as a way to pass the time soon blossoms into something neither expected.

  He was never meant to be permanent.

  She can’t promise forever.

  But, when life and love are on the line, everything changes.

  Adult Contemporary Romance

  Content Warning

  Due to language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

  This book is dedicated to those who choose to fight, who choose to never give up.

  AFTER SPENDING THE LAST SIX days in my car, I’m at the last place I should be. I should walk away, but instead, I lift my hand and knock. Instantly, dread sets in. I shouldn’t be here. I know people. I have other places I could crash. Suddenly, I’m hoping like hell that she’s not home. I pick up my bag, ready to get the hell out of here, when the door opens.

  “Lennie?”

  I plaster on a smile. “Hey, sis.”

  “You’re early.” My face falls with the knowledge that she’s been counting down the weeks until I would be forced to return.

  “I’m in between jobs. I figured I could crash here for a while if that’s okay.”

  “In between jobs or boyfriends?”

  I laugh. “Both.” Jodi cracks a smile and opens her door.

  “Thanks.” I dart past my sister, and instantly my eyes start taking in her picture perfect apartment. Nothing has changed since the last time I was here. “Fancy.”

  Her tone changes. “Don’t start with me, Lennie.”

  My sister is three years older than I am. She’s the stable one. She’s the daughter my parents brag about to their stuffy friends. We couldn’t be more opposite if we tried. Then again...I try.

  “I can’t believe you’re already here.” I shrug and continue to take in her apartment. I would bet my life that she had someone come in and design this place. My next bet would be that no one other than our parents ever visit her.

  “You think you can stay in one place for longer than a month?”

  “You think you can go one week without wearing designer shoes?”

  “Funny, I’m being serious,” she says dryly.

  “So am I. I’ve seen how many pairs of shoes you own.”

  Jodi rolls her eyes. “My guest room is down the hall. Second door on the left.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, and Lennie?” I glance at my sister only to find a serious look cross her face. “It’s good to have you back, even if it’s not for long.”

  More anxiety settles in the pit of my stomach as I slowly nod my head, because no matter what my sister says, it doesn’t feel good to be back.

  I pick up my bag and make my way to her spare room. I’m not shocked to find it’s just as frilly as the rest of her apartment. I run my hand over the bedspread, wondering why she’d spend this much money on a room no one uses. Then again, this is exactly how we were raised.

  I don’t spend my money on things that don’t matter. I drop to the bed, which is unbelievably comfortable. Who knows, maybe in my sister’s fucked up way of thinking, this room matters, but it doesn’t. I learned a long time ago that the things that matter in life never come with a price tag.

  ***

  “CALL MY CELL IF YOU need me. If I don’t answer and it’s important, call my secretary. She’ll be able to get ahold of me. I’ll be in court this afternoon, so please don’t call unless it’s necessary.”

  “Got it. Call after two.”

  Jodi stops fumbling with her purse and looks over at me. “I’m serious.”

  I roll my eyes. “Has there ever been a day when you weren’t?”

  “Funny. I’ll see you tonight.” Seconds later, she’s out the door, leaving me all alone to play with her stuff. Jodi is beyond a neat freak, and I’ve always taken enjoyment in messing with her. I wander to her closet and start mixing her casual and business clothing together. Immature? Absolutely, but she’ll expect nothing less.

  I move to her DVD collection, and I can’t help but laugh. She has them in alphabetical order...well, she did. I lay down on her bed and pop in a movie. Three hours later, I wake up, sweaty and hungry.

  After a quick shower and a change of clothing, my stomach growls. I open Jodi’s fridge, but nothing catches my eye. I move to the pantry where my hunger gets overlooked as I start removing the labels off everything I can find. We used to do this to our mother all the time when we were kid
s. I smile as I remember how different things once were.

  Stop it, Lennie. You can’t go back now even if you wanted to. I sigh, ready to give up my search for something to eat, when I spot a box of blueberry muffin mix.

  Muffins. I freaking love muffins. I grab the box and walk back into the kitchen. I find a mixing bowl and start looking around her high-tech oven.

  “Geez. Jodi...can’t anything in your life just be simple?” I huff to myself. I have no idea how to turn this damn thing on, but I’m not about to give up on my mission for muffins.

  BANG BANG BANG.

  I pull my headphones off my head and look around. I swore I heard a noise. When I don’t hear anything, I start to put them back on when I hear it again. “Shit,” I mumble. Someone is here. I toss my headphones on my desk and walk to the door. When I pull it open, I’m greeted by the last thing I’d ever expect.

  “Hey, do you have any oil?”

  My eyes go wide as I take in the woman before me. Her brown hair is piled up on her head. She’s wearing a funny looking pair of glasses that almost mask her blue eyes. I continue my path down only to discover that she has next to nothing on. A tank top that gaps open on the sides, clearly showing off a skimpy green bra and large breasts, paired with very short shorts. What really stands out are the many tattoos marking her skin.

  “Hello? Oil?”

  “Oil?” I repeat.

  “Yeah. Oh shit. I forgot I need two eggs as well. Do you have any?”

  I feel like this woman is speaking in code. “Would you like me to check?” she says.

  I blink several times. “Check for what?”

  She groans, clearly frustrated with me. “Never mind. I’ll knock on someone else’s door.”

  She walks down the hall and starts banging on Ms. Thomas’s door.

  I’m standing in my doorway, watching her with fascination. When Ms. Thomas doesn’t answer, I find myself asking, “What kind of oil?”

  The woman mumbles something under her breath before glancing back at me. “There’s more than one kind?”

  I do my best to hold back my laughter. “I’m guessing since you asked for eggs that you’re cooking something.”

  “Muffins. From scratch.” She pauses before tilting her head to the side. “Actually, from a box, but that’s really the same thing.”

  This time, I do laugh. “Oil and eggs. I think I have both.” I leave the hallway and walk to my kitchen to grab what she needs. When I turn around, I find her in my apartment, watching me.

  “Do you live alone?” Her eyes scan my apartment.

  “No.”

  She nods her head but continues to take everything in. “I’m staying across the hall.”

  “With Jodi?” I immediately question.

  “She’s my sister.”

  My roommate Chad has had a thing for Jodi Jacobs for close to a year now, but he’s never pulled his balls out long enough to ask her out. “I’ve met Jodi before.”

  “Oh yeah, how’d that go?” She’s smiling, or maybe it’s a smirk I see on her face.

  I rub my chin, unsure of what to say. This woman and Jodi are nothing alike, and I’m afraid any comment I might make will end up insulting one of them.

  “Okay?”

  She busts out laughing as she walks over to where I’m standing. “What’s your name?”

  “Tyler.”

  “Thanks for the oil and eggs, Tyler.” She grins as she takes the bottle of oil and carton of eggs out of my hands. She’s about to leave when she looks over her shoulder. “I think this is the first time a man has given me oil that he didn’t rub all over my body.”

  My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. By the time I gather my thoughts, she’s gone.

  ***

  “LET’S GO OUT FOR A BEER.”

  “I can’t. I’m behind on work.”

  “What?” Chad laughs. Typically, on a Friday night my roommate, Chad, complains about how I never go out, and he makes me feel like a shitty friend until I finally cave and end up somewhere I can’t stand. However, right now I have a real reason for ditching him because I’m officially behind on what I should have done earlier today. Ever since oil lady stopped by, my brain hasn’t functioned properly. “Fuck it. I don’t need to go anywhere, either.” Chad kicks off his shoes and crashes on the couch about the time I hear a knock on the door.

  “Are you expecting anyone?”

  “No.” I walk over and open the door only to be greeted by the same beautiful face from earlier.

  “Do you know how hard it is to make muffins from scratch?” Her eyes narrow. “Well?” She starts tapping her foot on the floor, waiting for my answer.

  “Yes?” I reply with a shrug.

  “Where was that information earlier? It’s bad enough that I had to deal with an oven from NASA, but maybe when you’re handing out oil, it should come with some tips.” Chad comes up next to me, wearing the same shocked expression.

  “Oh, hey. Do you live here?” the crazy woman questions.

  “I do,” Chad answers.

  “What’s your name?”

  “I’m Chad.” She smiles as if she’s generally happy to meet him.

  “I knew Tyler lived with someone, but he didn’t tell me who.” Chad’s face jerks to mine with a what the hell look. I work from home, and I rarely leave the apartment. I don’t have to look at Chad to know he’s wondering how exactly I know this woman. “I’d offer you a muffin as a thank you, but I’m actually saving your life by not giving you one.” Oil lady steps around us and walks into our living room as if she was invited. “Oh, I love this show,” she says as she takes a seat on the couch.

  Chad looks over at me and mouths, “Who the fuck is that?”

  “I’m Lennie.” We both look over to find her smiling at us. “Nice to meet you, Lennie,” Chad hesitantly says before walking over and taking a seat across from her.

  “How do you know Tyler?”

  I roll my eyes. “She doesn’t.”

  “I met him earlier today. I was in a pinch, and he helped me out.”

  Chad grins and looks over at me. “That’s my Tyler, the little helper.” I shake my head before flipping him off.

  So, Lennie...I can’t actually say I’ve met anyone with that name before.” Chad is eating this up.

  She shrugs. “My parents went through a Lenny Kravitz stage.”

  Chad and I share a look, one where we’re both wondering if this woman might be certifiably crazy.

  “This is one of my favorite episodes of the Walking Dead. I’ll try my best not to tell you how it ends, but I can’t make any promises. Tyler, do you have any popcorn?”

  Who the hell is this woman?

  “I’m not sure. Tyler, do we have any popcorn?” Chad says with a laugh in his voice.

  “I don’t know, but maybe you should check with Jodi.” Chad’s eyes snap to mine. He’s had a hard-on for Jodi Jacobs for the last year, but he remains intimidated by something, and I’m guessing it’s her success.

  “You know Jodi?”

  “They’re sisters,” I add before Lennie has the chance.

  “No shit.”

  Instead of acting insulted, Lennie smiles. “That’s what my mom claims, anyway. I don’t have the results back from the DNA test yet to prove otherwise.”

  I chuckle. I think it’s official...I’ve never met anyone like this woman before. “Are we going to watch this or not?” Lennie grabs the remote and turns up the volume. I look over at Chad, who’s still watching Lennie with amusement in his eyes. He glances over at me and shrugs as if it’s a daily occurrence for a beautiful but odd woman to invade our lives.

  ***

  ALMOST AN HOUR LATER, WE hear another knock on the door. Chad hops up and opens it.

  “Hey, I was looking for...” Jodi trails off when she spots Lennie on the couch.

  “Seriously, you’re messing with my neighbors?” According to Chad, Jodi is twenty-eight, the same age as the two of us. However, she’s one of Da
llas’s up and coming hot shot lawyers. She’s gorgeous in a classic way.

  “Why should you be the only lucky one? Tyler here helped me make muffins earlier, now we’re hanging out.” Jodi’s eyes dart to mine, and suddenly I understand Chad’s reasons for being intimidated.

  “I just gave her oil,” I stumble out, which causes Jodi to groan.

  “Of course you did. Come on, let’s go.”

  Surprisingly, Lennie jumps to her feet and walks over to her sister. Right before she walks out the door, she turns and smiles at me. “Thanks, Tyler. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Jodi shakes her head and follows her sister out the door.

  “Tomorrow? What the hell happened today?” Chad questions.

  I breathe out a deep sigh. “I have no idea.”

  “LENNIE, I LOVE YOU. REARRANGING my stuff isn’t going to change that. It’s only going to piss me off.”

  I smile, knowing she hasn’t seen the worst of what I’ve done.

  “I need to meet with my boss to go over a case we’re working on. Will you be okay by yourself?”

  “I’m twenty-five...not five.”

  “Good you know the difference.”

  “Bitch.”

  “Whore.” I crack a smile seconds before Jodi does.

  “You have to work on the weekends?”

  She sighs, knowing I don’t agree with her way of life. “Sometimes. Maybe if you tried working you’d understand.”

  “I work all the time.”

  “Whatever. I don’t have time to do this with you. Call me if you need me.” Without another glance in my direction, she walks out her door.

  It’s pointless to leave. I have to be here in Dallas in less than two months. Depending on how everything goes down, I’ll be gone shortly afterward. I shouldn’t bother with a job, but if I’m going to stay, I’ll need something to pass the time. With that thought, I take a quick shower. I don’t usually wear much makeup and today is no different. I toss on a tank top and shorts, pull my hair up on my head, and I’m ready. As I’m passing Tyler’s door, I grin. Yesterday he was almost as much fun to mess with as Jodi. He appears slightly, and I do mean slightly, less uptight, but there’s a reason he lives in this building, and it’s not the zeros in his checking account. Without thinking, I knock on his door. Several long moments pass before I’m greeted by his cute, blond roommate.