"Well, that's the last of the stuff."

Jason announced proudly, dusting his hands as he straightened to his full height. I nodded, taking a look at my bare apartment filled with a dozen cardboard boxes.

In a few moments, this place would look more like a home than a bare space and I couldn't wait for the change.

"Thank you, Jason," I said with a genuine smile that he returned.

"You're welcome."

"I told you it was a good idea letting him help us," Tracy said, placing a hand on my shoulder and I chuckled.

"Yeah."

She hummed under her breath, examining him more closely. "I'm still curious how the new girl knows the Jason Finch anyways."

I gave her a confused look, "why are you talking about him like that?"

Jason scratched the back of his head but he didn't say anything. Tracy stepped forward, circling him with a predatory smile.

"You didn't know?" She quipped and I shook my head. "Jason here is like Elko royalty. His family is one of the founders and they basically have control over the goldmine in the fort."

A strangled noise left my lips. Partially because the playboy didn't strike me as such and also because it suddenly made more sense.

The expensive Rolex watch? The sleek ford car parked outside? He was dressed better than most locals and it finally clicked.

"Oh my..." The rest of my words trailed off and Jason raised his eyes.

"I'd prefer if you just called me Jason," he said with a strained smile. "I don't really like the paparazzi that follows my family's legacy."

"It's still part of you, no?"

I decided to intervene, pulling Tracy away from him. "Come on, let's honor his wishes. He did give us a lending hand."

She hummed, tapping a finger under her chin for a moment. "Okay! We're cool."

We shared a brief laugh after that and Jason stepped forward, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.

"So... what's next?"

I gave him a look, silently asking if he really wanted to do this but he just smirked. "Let's start unboxing then."

We spent the next three hours cleaning up the place and putting things in place. Tracy and I didn't get a lot, but it was enough to give the place a homey feel.

The guys from the store came in with the bed and couches and by the time it was late afternoon, I'd already made a place out of the empty apartment.

Tracy suggested we order pizza and we did, devouring them within minutes of their arrival. We ate to our fill and then went back to decorating the place.

Once we were done, we crashed on the couch but not before Tracy stepped out to get us some water from her refrigerator.

"Tara Henry," Jason started and I chuckled under my breath. "I didn't realize you were heading to Elko. What a twist of fate."

I shifted to get a better look at him. "Are you teasing me or do you really believe in this fate thing?"

He leaned closer. "Do you really want the truth?"

A laugh slipped out of my throat and I shook my head. "I guess not."

He bobbed his head. "I thought the same."

"I owe you big time," I said with a sigh. "Thank you for helping out, Jason."

He hummed under his breath, arching a brow.

"What?" I asked with a laugh.

He shrugged. "Nothing," he shifted to face me before asking. "I just wanted to know why you pretended not to know me when Tracy asked."

I huffed, playing with the hem of my shirt. "It's called a one-night stand for a reason."

I watched the way his plump lips curled. "Indeed it is, darling."

I hummed under my breath, mesmerized by the rosiness of his mouth. He was leaning closer too, the distance between us shortening.

Our lips were close enough to touch, and I could nearly taste him when the doors went flying open again and Tracy's voice echoed.

"I'm back! Did you guys miss me?"

Jason groaned and I giggled. "No, we didn't," he mumbled but I caught it and it made me crack up even more.

"What's funny?" Tracy asked, a jug of cold water in hand.

I shook my head, rising to my feet just as Jason did. "Nothing and yes, we missed you."

"You better."

Jason's phone buzzed loudly and he picked it up from the coffee table, then placed it on his ear.

"Hello?" I froze, watching him, "yeah, yeah, I'll be right there just hold on. Yes, give me five minutes."

He hung up and turned to face us but I already knew what he was going to say.

"You have to leave, right?"

He nodded, "I'll see you girls around then?"

"Definitely," Tracy responded sassily, winking at him.

He chuckled, giving me a look before walking away. Tracy sighed the moment he was gone, leaning against him.

"He definitely looks hotter up close."

I turned my head to look at her and smiled. "I couldn't agree more."

We laughed, our giggles bouncing off the walls and I agreed that we were going to be the best of friends.

I liked her already.

"Tracy!"

A red-headed teenager barged in through the front door, large thick rimmed glasses nearly covering half his face.

"Sandy told me you'd be here," he walked inside, and I eyed him with confusion. "You must be the new tenant."

"And who are you?"

Trac threw an arm over him to which he frowned. "This is my brother, Chuck. He goes to the community school just across. Say hi to Tracy, kid."

He stretched a hand, shrugging her arm away from his shoulders. "Hello, I'm Chuck McCoy."

I smiled, taking his hand. "I'm Tara Henry, it's lovely to meet you."

"Ah! Here's the cavalry," another voice quipped and we turned to face the newcomer.

It was a beautiful female with pale skin and dark cropped hair that had blue and purple highlights in them. She was dressed exactly like Tracy, reminding me of the gothic girls club in high school.

"And you must be..."

"Cassandra Gerry," she said, ignoring my outstretched arm and pulling me into a hug instead. "Welcome to Suzie's, neighbour."

I was taken aback by her hospitality but Tracy gave me a look assuring that it was okay.

"I take it you'll be at the open house tonight then?"

"Open house?" I quipped.

"You didn't tell her, Tracy?" She shook her head in disappointment. "It's kind of a big event so you have to be in attendance. We can have your welcome party after, the others aren't in yet."

I nodded, already thrilled by the idea of a party. "Of course, Cassandra. I'll be there."

The three of them snorted and I wondered if I'd said something funny.

"What?" I asked, looking between them with confusion.

Tracy shook her head, "Nothing, it's just...no one's called her Cassandra in like years."

"Oh."

Chuck nodded, bumping his shoulders against mine. "We call her Sandy, her full name makes her sound responsible."

"Careful, kiddo," Sandy warned but he just stuck his tongue out at her.

I couldn't help it, a snort left my lips and they all gave me amused looks. As I stared at them, I had a strong feeling in my heart that I was going to like this place a lot.