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Hey, everyone! I'm back, and here's the next chapter. Sorry it took me a bit to get it posted. But there's nothing like a little dramatic delay, no? I promise I'll be better about posting the next segments...At least, that's the goal. Now on to the story...


Chapter 2: A Bit of Conversation

Mike closed the door to his apartment, then headed through the apartment complex to rejoin his three roommates and best friends in their volleyball game. He had indeed taken a potty break in addition to getting some water as Peter had guessed. But it had been a quick enough delay, and before Micky had even been pummeled with the ball, he was heading back. As he walked, he alternately hummed and sang "Papa Gene's Blues" softly to entertain himself.

He was just passing the laundry room when something caught his eye. Or more appropriately, someone.

Stopping in his tracks, Mike stood just outside the open doorway and looked inside. A girl was standing with her back to him. She was facing the coke machine set at the laundry room's back wall, looking for all the world as if she were ready to do battle with it.

"Stupid hunk of wasted metal!" she spat at it, her hands balled into fists at her sides. "Either give me the coke or give me back my money, or so help me…"

She shifted her weight in preparation to kick the thing, and that's when Mike figured it was time to intervene.

"Excuse me," he said, stepping into the room and to her side in only a few long strides.

She startled slightly at the sound of his voice, and whipped around, her eyes widening when she found herself faced with a slim chest. Taking a step back, she tilted her head to look up into the face of a handsome young man. Her eyes were instantly captured by his warm brown gaze. Briefly, she glanced up at his sleek black hair, and then to the curious green wool hat he wore, before returning her eyes to his.

Mike smiled sheepishly. He hadn't gotten a look at her face before now, and he was struck by her loveliness. Her eyes were the color of a perfect, cloudless sky. And they held him.

He cleared his throat. "Uh, hey there! I'm Mike," he said, smiling shyly.

Her return smile was dazzling, and he watched as she unconsciously lifted a hand to brush her long, caramel-colored hair back from her face. "Oh, hi Mike!" she replied. "My name's Lauren."

He grew more confident now, reassured by her friendly demeanor. "Nice to meet you, Lauren," he said. He cast a brief glance at the soda machine, then looked back at her. "This thing giving you trouble?"

Lauren had to struggle to keep her wits about her. That accent of his was enough to melt her. And those eyes…!

She gave a short laugh and nodded. "Yeah. Dumb thing ate my money."

"Ah," he intoned, and then grinned at her playfully. "Which explains why you looked ready to tear it apart."

She gave a little wince and darted her eyes to the floor. So he had seen her little display. Perfect. "Ok, so how badly have I embarrassed myself?"

He laughed. "Oh don't worry about it," he assured. "It does that to us all. If we could just be sure the landlord would replace it, we'd gleefully drive it off the complex with pitchforks."

She laughed and looked back up at him, secretly thrilling at the way he towered over her. "Good to know it's not just me."

"No," he agreed with a shake of his head. "Definitely not just you."

She released a little rueful sigh and cast a last, longing look at the machine. "Oh well. Nothing much lost…I guess."

He chuckled, then regarded her curiously. "So have you lived here long? I don't recall seeing you around before." And I'd remember if I had…he thought.

"No, I moved in last Wednesday," she replied.

"Ah, so you're the reason behind that moving truck that barricaded me into my parking space," he intoned with feigned severity.

Lauren gasped, her blue-sky eyes growing alarmed. "Oh I'm sorry! We tried to get everything off as quick as we could…"

"No, I was just playing," he assured, and laughed when she reached up and hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Actually our car wasn't parked anywhere near the truck. We just noticed it is all."

"We?" she asked curiously.

"My three roommates and I," he explained. "We live just down the way there. Only a couple of doors down from you, actually."

"Well it's great to finally meet some neighbors--even if one of them is a smart-alack Texan!" she laughed. Not to mention insanely good looking…

Mike carried the cowboy image impressively well, she'd give him that.

"Hey now," he protested playfully. He then sobered, his expression becoming sincere. "May be a few days late, but welcome to the neighborhood, Lauren."

She beamed up at him, touched by his sweetness. "Thanks! I'm really enjoying it so far. This is a great place."

"It really is," he agreed. "Right on the beach. Can't beat that…" He paused then as he remember that there was currently a volleyball game going on. One that he was supposed to be taking part in.

Talk about lousy timing…he thought sourly.

"Listen, I really hate to run off," he told her apologetically. Boy do I ever! he mentally added. "But there's a volleyball game I really gotta get back to or I'll never hear the end of it."

She laughed, and his grin widened in response. He liked it when she laughed, it was pleasant, infectious.

"Well that's no good," she replied. "I don't know how I'd stand the guilt of causing you such grief."

"Oh I don't know about that," he said, and then he chuckled. "Though one of my roommates, Micky, would certainly see to it I understood just how badly I was missed."

She giggled lightly. "Bit of a character, is he?"

The Texan gave her one of those looks. "Oh you have no idea!"

She cocked an eyebrow at that. "Really?" At his nod, she couldn't help the wry smirk. "You might be surprised."

That got his interest. "Know the type?"

"And how!" she affirmed. "One of my best friends is like that."

He considered that for a moment. "Hm, I think I'm gonna have to meet her sometime," he said, giving her a lopsided grin. "After all, it's not everyday you meet a girl version of Micky!"

Lauren's smile broadened at the thought. A girl version of Micky? So that meant that there was a boy version of Bella? Good Lord! "Count on it!" she agreed with a laugh.

He had to remind himself to breathe. Those eyes were something else, their blue depths shooting straight through him like a current.

He grinned and extended a hand to her. "Well, Lauren, it's been a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to seeing you later on."

"Likewise, Mike," she replied, accepting his offered hand with a beaming smile of her own. "See you around!"

With one final smile, he turned and headed out of the laundry room, then proceeded toward the beach. Lauren paused momentarily, then trotted out of the room to watch him go, her eyes remaining fixed on his retreating form until she could no longer see him. She was glad to have met him. There was something about him, a subtle playfulness, a calm gentility, a hidden strength that was absolutely dashing…and incredibly sexy.

"So," came an inquiring voice from behind, "who was Mr. Long-and-Lean that just left here?"

Startled for the second time that day, Lauren gave a little yelp and turned around. There stood Bella, Erin, and Mia, all grinning at her in a knowing manner.

Lauren felt the warming of her cheeks, and knew maddeningly that she was blushing. "Hi, guys!"

Bella noted her friend's blush, and her smile broadened. "Gotta say, Lauren--not bad!" She winked at her friend.

Lauren felt herself blushing again and decided that was enough of that. She hurriedly composed herself. "When'd you guys get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago. We were on our way over to your apartment when we saw you here, actually," Bella replied. "And don't change the subject!"

Lauren rolled her eyes fondly. "Pushy much?"

Bella laughed and stuck out her tongue.

"So, you gonna tell us his name or keep us in dying suspense?" Erin prompted.

"His name's Mike," Lauren replied. "Turns out he and his three roommates only live a couple doors down from me. Don't know how I missed that."

Mia chuckled and looked at her friend with bemusement. "I don't either!"

Bella's eyebrows lifted at Lauren's words. "Three, huh?" she questioned. She turned her head to gaze in the direction Mike had gone, and smiled. "Interesting."

Lauren knew that smile only too well. "Hey now!" she interjected with a laugh. "Don't go getting your hopes up just yet. I've only seen him--for all we know, the others aren't nearly as fortunate in the looks department."

"Maybe," Bella conceded. She returned her gaze to her friend, and her smile became decidedly impish. "But if your Mike is even the slightest indication of what his buddies have to offer, I'll take my chances!"


And there you have chapter 2. From here on in, the real fun begins. Until next time, my friends!