A/N: Hi, readers! It has been a while since I have updated this one. I do apologize for the delay. I hope you enjoy. Please let me know if you do Xx.
Disclaimer: Same 1-9.
It was Thursday and 9am as John pressed send on an email reply he had written. He was close to finishing up one of his client's projects and was setting up the day for it to launch. He was pleased with his work. The website was inviting and easy to navigate, and he hoped the client would be pleased and approve of the website becoming active. He closed out of his email and picked up his phone. Anna came to his mind. He had only seen her once since her birthday, which had been Monday in the morning before she had left for work. It was odd not to see each other when they lived next door, but John had planned on doing as he said and not rush anything. Him being in her space every day would be sending the opposite message, but he was missing her.
He opened his messages and tapped on her name. Since it had been a few days maybe she wouldn't mind seeing him. He typed a text and sent it.
Hi, I hope you're having a good morning.
He placed his phone in his pocket and stood up. He took his empty mug to the kitchen and placed it in the sink. It was then his phone beeped. With one quick motion, he had his phone back out of his pocket and opened the message.
Hi, you. I am having a good morning. Are you?
He propped his cane up against the worktop and leaned back against the surface.
I am. I'm just getting the final steps done for one of the website launches.
That is great!
He smiled at her enthusiasm.
Yes, it is. Are you busy later today?
After he sent the message, he noticed she didn't start replying right away. He knew she was at work, but that didn't keep him from his insecure thoughts. He exhaled when the dots appeared.
I'm afraid I am. My brother and sister-in-law are coming to stay for a few days. I am, however, taking my break at ten... if you have the time to come to the station.
She wanted him to come to her work? He answered back.
I do have the time, but I don't want to be in the way.
You won't be, silly. I'll show you around.
He suddenly became anxious at the thought of walking around a news station, but he would gladly do so since Anna would be with him.
Alright. I will be there at ten.
See you soon!
"Phyllis," Anna whispered as she got near her.
"What?" Phyllis whispered back with a weird look. "Why are you whispering."
Anna giggled and then said, "You remember I was telling you about my neighbor."
Phyllis gave her a knowing look. "Mhm. The tall, dark, handsome one who bought you that Tory Burch."
"Yes, that one, and his name is John."
"And what about John?"
Anna nudged Phyllis to walk with her to the break room.
"He's going to be here in like ten minutes."
"Is he now? I wonder why that would be," Phyllis teased.
They stopped walking when they entered the room.
"I invited him to come. I thought it'd be nice to introduce him to at least some of the morning crew."
"You two must be getting serious," Phyllis commented.
"I wouldn't say serious, serious. It's still early days, and we haven't agreed on anything official, yet. But I like him a lot."
"You've not brought anyone around here before, so I would say do you indeed like him. It'll be a pleasure to be introduced to the man who has caught your attention."
"So you don't mind us taking up a bit of your break?"
"Not at all. I will just be sitting in here eating anyway. It'll be nice to have some conversation. You'll probably have William and Jimmy in here as well since Elsie will be doing her segment with Charles."
"Don't they usually go out somewhere on their break?"
"They do, but it's raining out."
"Duh! I should know this since I do the weather and work with these people."
Phyllis laughed, "Your mind isn't working correctly because of who is coming in oh... five minutes."
"Five minutes! I better get to the front. He won't know where to go," Anna replied with a bit of adrenaline in her tone.
"Go on. I'll be here with my Greek yogurt," Phyllis encouraged.
"We'll be back in a bit," Anna replied and walked out of the room.
She walked briskly through the building until she was at the front entrance.
"I am here to see Anna Smith."
Anna smiled as she saw John talking to the security guard. Her heels gave her away as she approached them both.
"Hi, Mr. Lang," she greeted though her eyes were looking at John. He looked gorgeous in a black button up shirt and dark denims.
"Miss Smith, this gentleman says he is a visitor of yours," Mr. Lang responded.
Anna stopped when she was in front of John.
"That would be correct. Could we please get Mr. Bates a visitor pass?"
She watched John secretly smile at her. The reaction made her stomach flutter.
"Of course, Miss Smith. I'll be just a moment."
As they waited for John's pass, Anna finally spoke to John.
"Good morning, John," she greeted brightly.
"Good morning," he responded politely. "Thank you for inviting me."
"Of course. We haven't seen each other in a bit, and I thought you might enjoy a quick tour of the place."
"Yes, I would."
They were gently interrupted by Mr. Lang.
"Here we are."
Mr. Lang handed John a visitor pass on a lanyard. John placed it around his neck.
"Now you are official," Anna commented. "Thank you, Mr. Lang."
"Not a problem, Miss Smith."
"Yes, thank you," John said to Mr. Lang.
Mr. Lang nodded his reply.
"Shall we?" Anna asked as she waved toward the area she had just come from.
"After you."
They walked in step deeper into the building. Anna would point out a few things she thought he might find interesting as they made their way to the employee break room.
"I thought you might like to meet some of the morning crew. Would that be all right?" Anna asked as she looked up and over to him.
John slouched down a little to get closer to her.
"If you'd like for me to meet them."
"Of course, I would."
His eyes seemed to dance at her reply. She touched his upper arm in reassurance before they reached the doorway to the break room.
Anna stepped inside first. Her eyes instantly met Phyllis', and Anna tried hard not to grin. She then looked to see William and Jimmy sitting at a different table. William was eating, and Jimmy was apparently texting someone. It was then she turned and motioned for John to step inside the room.
John stepped inside a little sheepishly. He always felt just a bit awkward when it came to meeting new people, but these people were part of Anna's life. He would try his best to be friendly.
He kept his eyes on Anna, gaining courage from her cheerful smile at him. She then introduced him to the people in the room.
"John, this is Phyllis Baxter. She is one of the morning news anchors."
John walked the short distance to Phyllis. He hooked his cane on his left forearm and reached out his right to shake her hand. Phyllis gave him a polite smile and shook his hand.
"How do you do. I'm John Bates," John said before they dropped hands.
"Mr. Bates, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about you."
John's ears perked up at that.
"Good things I hope," he smirked.
"What else would it be," Anna chimed in.
"Yes, all good things. Welcome to the station," Phyllis responded kindly.
"Thank you. I appreciate the generous invitation."
Anna walked over to the other table and turned back half way.
"And these two are William Mason and Jimmy Kent. William is the other morning anchor and Jimmy does sports."
John approached the table and the two men stood and shook John's hand.
"Pleasure, Mr. Bates," William greeted.
"All right, Mr. Bates," said Jimmy.
"Please, you all can call me John," John insisted.
The two men sat back down.
"So, what brings you here," William asked John.
John looked at the young, blond headed man. He looked a few years younger than Anna and had a nice presence about him.
"Anna invited me to come take a short tour of the place."
"How do you all know each other?"
John turned his head to look at Jimmy. He was also young, probably younger than William, and was physically gifted in the looks department. John felt rather old and run down in their company.
"John and I are neighbors and friends," Anna answered sweetly.
John gave a tight smile and nod in agreement even though he slightly frowned inwardly. No, they had not had a discussion about officially being more, so he shouldn't have expected any more than that response.
"Well, it's nice of you to show him around. I hope we see you again sometime," William said cordially.
"I hope so as well," John replied truthfully.
"Yes, we'll have to talk the footie sometime," Jimmy said as he leaned back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
This caught John's interest, so he replied, "Depends on the club."
"ManU, of course," Jimmy answered as though no other club mattered.
John pointed at Jimmy and commented, "We'll be talking."
"Good man."
Anna shook her head and chuckled.
"Well, I'm glad you've found something in common."
"That is a smart man, Anna," Jimmy nodded to John.
"Yes, he is very smart," Anna agreed.
Anna and John smiled at each other before they walked back over to Phyllis.
"So, you've newly moved to the area?" Phyllis asked John.
"I have though I've had an excellent tour guide," John answered.
"I don't know about excellent," Anna responded with a slight blush.
"I do," he said to Anna then turned back to Phyllis. "She has helped me to be able to navigate more easily."
"I have no doubt of that. She's always helpful."
John noticed Phyllis was eating. It made him wonder if Anna had eaten. He didn't want her to skip her lunch just because he was there.
"Yes, she is," John said and turned his head to Anna.
"It is your lunch break, yes? Have you eaten?"
Phyllis gave Anna a little look while John wasn't looking at her. Anna smiled and answered, "No, I almost forgot."
"Please, go and get your lunch," John encouraged.
"I won't be but a minute."
Anna walked to the far end of the room where the employee lockers were. John's eyes followed her, and he noticed her pulling out the tote bag he bought her.
"She has gushed about that bag for days," Phyllis said quietly to John.
John looked to Phyllis and smirked.
"Really?"
"Mhm. She absolutely loves it. You did a great job."
John felt a sense of pride run through him.
"Thank you. I'm glad to know she likes it."
"She very much does," Phyllis replied, although she meant Anna liked way more than just the bag.
Anna walked back over and had a deli wrap in her hand.
"I'm glad I packed this today. I can eat and walk around with you."
John looked at the wrap she held with a paper towel then met her eyes.
"We don't have to walk around. You should enjoy your lunch."
"I will enjoy my lunch by showing you around. Just don't think me rude by eating at the same time."
"I don't think anyone could think you rude."
Phyllis' eyebrows lifted at Anna, and Anna softly giggled.
"Very well then. Off we go."
When John and Anna left the room, Jimmy said to William and Phyllis.
"Is it just me or do you all think there's more to that than neighbors and friends?"
"It very well may be, but it's not our business," William replied in defense of both of them.
"John seems like a kind person either way," Phyllis added.
Jimmy looked unimpressed with both responses and went back to his phone.
John was enjoying casually walking through the station while Anna ate and talked. He listened to her facts and information about certain areas. It was quite interesting. He had never been in a news station before. He would look down and over to her every so often and watch her talk animatedly about her workplace. It was great she had a passion for what she did, and he wanted to encourage and support her as much as possible.
They walked into a room that had a welcoming, home-like set. Anna finished the last bite of her lunch and disposed of the paper towel in a bin. She placed a finger up to her lips to signal they needed to stay quiet. John nodded his understanding as they walked behind a row of cameras to the other side. They stopped when they were in the far corner of the room.
Anna leaned up on her tip toes while John leant down so he could hear her.
"That is Elsie Hughes and Charles Carson. They do community news segments together, but what most people do not know is they have been together for years."
John looked over to the late middle-aged couple and studied them a moment as they were obviously live on television. His first thought was it was nice the couple was able to do that together.
"The segment gives the rest of us the time to have a break. They mainly do local stories about a variety of good deeds or positive things that are going on," Anna explained in just above a whisper.
John found it intriguing to be able to stand behind the scenes. He was able to see all the things that the television didn't show. It wasn't glamorous or anything, but still it was neat to experience.
Anna lightly tugged on his hand and gained his attention enough to motion him through to another set. As he looked around, this was the set he was most familiar with. It was the room where the news anchors sat and where Anna reported the weather.
When he saw the large green screen where Anna would do what she did best, he wondered if he could stay and watch her in action. Would it make her uncomfortable for him to be watching her? Should he even ask? He would wait a bit to see if he should ask.
Since there wasn't live cameras currently in this room, she was able to speak louder.
"So, this is the main set. You probably recognize it."
"I do."
Anna walked over to the weather desk. She turned around and gracefully sat on top of it, looking at him.
A mental imagine flashed before John's eyes. He cleared his throat and looked at the floor for a couple of seconds to compose himself. He couldn't be thinking that right now when she was trying to show him around for the first time.
She did look quite sensational sitting on her desk though. No, he chided internally.
He was thankful she spoke to save him from his thoughts.
"This is the weather desk and of course the green screen there," she pointed.
He looked and nodded. "I have no idea how you do it. All you see is a green screen, but yet, you have to point and use your arms to look as though you see what is on the telly."
"I have a monitor I refer to that helps me do it correctly and a teleprompter of course."
John shook his head. "That is a lot to think about at once."
"Yes, I guess it is, but I'm used to it now," she smiled.
"You're flawless when you do your forecasts," John stated genuinely.
"Charmer."
"I'm serious. Whoever is not getting their weather updates from you is missing out."
"You need to tell that to my boss," she winked.
John chuckled, "Maybe I will."
They both smiled. Anna looked to see employees coming into the room.
"I must have lost track of time," she said as she hopped down from the desk.
John looked to his phone. "It's ten minutes till."
"Oh my God. I have my live stream in ten minutes," she lightly gasped.
John started feeling bad for taking up the time she may had needed to prepare.
"I can find my way out. I apologize if I put you behind."
Anna reached out her hand and touched his arm. "You did no such thing. Are you busy with work today or do you feel like staying for the stream?"
John felt a warmth run through him at both her touch and her question. Even if he were slammed with work, he was sure his answer would be no.
"I can stay if you'd like."
Her grin told him she liked his reply.
"Great. I'll just run to get my phone. If you look over there, there are some folding chairs. I'll be back in a minute."
John watched Anna walk away and out of the room. He walked over to the chairs Anna had pointed out and sat down. There were a couple of men working on the cameras. They were no doubt getting them set up for the noon broadcast. He looked back over to the desk Anna had been sitting on just minutes ago. He had wanted to kiss her as she sat there. He wouldn't of course because this was her place of work, but it hadn't stopped him from thinking of it... and more.
He took out his phone to keep himself from thinking of it any more. Just as he got it out of his pocket, Anna quickly walked back into the room. She gave him a small wave to which he waved back in response. She then walked to the weather desk and sat behind it in the chair.
He watched her set up her phone. He smiled to himself as he felt lucky to be seeing how Anna did her job from a view point not many others had. He glanced at the time and knew she would be starting her stream any moment. He opened the app, went to the news station's page, and waited for the video.
He looked up to see Anna smoothing her shirt. She looked a little nervous. It was most likely because he was sitting there. He knew he should feel bad for making her nervous, yet he kind of liked she was just a little nervous.
His breath caught as Anna looked over to him with a brilliant smile. She winked at him, and he chuckled. He guessed she could make him just as nervous, too.
She started her stream then. John kept his eyes on the real life Anna even though he had the stream up. He figured it helped her viewer count. She was bubbly and cheerful with her audience. He was mesmerized by her talent and ability. Her intelligence was very attractive. She never had any problems with answering questions readily and knowledgeably.
"Walter wants to know how my day has been," he heard Anna say.
He looked down at the comments and indeed a Walter had asked her how her day was. He looked back up quickly.
"Thank you, Walter. I am having a great day so far. A friend of mine stopped by the station today while I was on my break."
She looked up and over to him for a split second before looking back at the camera. He smirked at her subtle acknowledgement of him, though the term friend sounded off to his ears. They had shared a few heated kisses. It wasn't simply a peck on the lips. Did she only want friendship? To be honest, he would be lucky to just be her friend. Maybe she was trying to tell him without telling him that he wasn't relationship material, but her actions and body language said differently.
He brought himself out of his brooding to look at his phone. Maybe he could ask her through the comments without asking. Was that cowardly? Maybe. But it was a way to get a semi-answer.
Sounds like a special friend.
He sent the comment and looked back up. He waited with baited breath for her to read it and respond.
When she had, she smiled and looked at the camera and not him.
"Yes, CupofSugar, they are a very special friend. I always enjoy their company, and they brighten my day."
She flashed him another quick look. He smirked back at her.
When the stream was over. He stood up and she walked over to him.
"Brilliantly done as always," he complimented.
"Thank you."
"You're very welcome. I thank you for letting me hang out. I'll get back home so you can finish your work day."
"Please, allow me to walk you out," Anna insisted.
"You're about to be busy. I won't take up more of your time," he protested.
"Don't be silly. It'll only take five minutes. That is more than enough time."
John knew better than to keep arguing, so he nodded instead. They walked through the building and stopped at the entrance so John could turn in his visitor pass. Once that was done, Anna looked outside.
"Looks like it stopped raining for a bit."
"Shall we?" John asked and opened the door for her.
They walked across the car park. He made it to his car door and turned around to face Anna.
"I enjoyed being here today. Thank-"
John was unable to finish his thought as Anna raised up even more from her heels and pressed her lips to his. He made a little surprised sound in the back of his throat from her sliding her hands up his chest before he was kissing her back.
She pulled back suddenly, looking him in the eyes.
"I wanted to do that since you walked in the building this morning," she admitted.
John gave her his secret smile. He gazed into her eyes, and replied, "You're not the only one."
John curled his fingers against the back of her neck. He gently pulled her to him and kissed her again.
Anna felt all her nerve endings light up from him pulling her against him. She enjoyed the firm press of his lips to hers. It felt oh so good.
He was the first to pull back, and Anna lowered herself back down.
"I best be getting back inside."
"Yes, your duty awaits," he teased.
"Yes, my duty," she grinned.
She squeezed his hand and then walked back to the front doors. John opened his car door as he watched her walk away. She looked back over her shoulder and gave a small wave. He lifted his hand above the car door and waved back.
When she was out of sight, John got into his car with a fool grin and drove himself back home.
"Eddie! Kayla! You made it!" Anna exclaimed happily after she opened her door to see both of them standing there.
Edward Smith was like his sister in many ways. He had sandy blond hair and blue eyes. He was medium height, slender in build, and two years older than his sister. His personality also reflected Anna's in several aspects though he tended to be more energetic and stubborn. All and all, Anna and Edward had a good sibling relationship.
"Anna," they greeted in unison.
"Come in. Come in," Anna stepped aside and ushered them inside.
Anna closed the door and turned to look at them.
"Kayla, I'm so glad you could come."
Kayla sat down her valise, and the two women hugged.
"I am too. We don't see each other enough."
Kayla Smith had long auburn hair and a hour glass shape figure that Anna had always been secretly envious of, but she was sweet and easy going. Anna loved her sister-in-law because she treated her brother well, and she was a good person.
"No, we don't," Anna agreed before they stepped back.
"What? No hug for your own brother?" Eddie asked.
"Come here," Anna smiled and gave him a short, tight hug.
"You can take your things into the guest room. You should remember where that is," Anna said to them.
"We do. It hasn't been that long," Eddie rolled his eyes.
"Off with you," Anna replied, shaking her head.
Eddie called out over his shoulder, "We're ordering Chinese!"
Kayla only shook her head as the pair disappeared into the guest room.
In the flat next door, John was sitting in his armchair trying to read. It was doing him no good, however. He wasn't exactly sure when Anna's family had arrived, but he could hear their loud laughter muffled through the wall. A big part of him wanted to be over there with them. He left his phone near by in case Anna happened to text him, but she hadn't.
He had thought about their kiss in the car park the rest of the day. His lips still remembering the desire he felt come from her. He had hoped that meant they were a little closer to being... well... a couple? An item? Whatever the correct label was.
He heard another round of boisterous laughter, and his doubts came to mind. Maybe she didn't want him to meet her family. It wouldn't hurt his feelings necessarily, but he would be lying if he said he hadn't hoped Anna would want him to meet them.
He sighed and closed his book. There was no point in keeping it open. He was much too focused on them being over there and him being alone. He would love to be there sitting with Anna. Maybe he could text her.
No. He would not. He would not interject himself. If Anna wanted him over there then she would tell him so.
He got to his feet and walked to his office. He would attempt to work to get his mind off what was happening next door.
Back at Anna's flat, they had finished eating and were sitting around talking.
"I'm not used to eating this late. I'm usually trying to sleep by now," Anna mentioned as she laid back full on the sofa.
"At 8.30?" Asked Eddie.
"Yes, you know I am up early for work."
"Well, it isn't every day we come around."
"No, that is way I am making exceptions," Anna smiled.
"Exactly. So, enough about what we've been up to. Anything new with you? Anyone new with you?" Eddie hinted.
"Well..."
Kayla gasped a little in surprise. "You met someone?"
Anna felt a little overwhelmed by the look both of them were giving her, but she knew they genuinely cared.
"I have-"
Anna was cut off by her sister-in-law.
"Oh my God! Where is he now? Why isn't he here?"
Anna grinned, "He's next door."
"What?" Eddie said in shock.
"Shut up! He is not," responded Kayla.
Anna nodded her head. "Yes, he is. He usually works this time of the evening. He is probably busy."
"Where does he work?" asked Kayla.
"He works from home."
"Doing what?" asked Eddie.
"Web design and web hosting, but I'll let him tell you about himself. I don't feel right talking for him."
"Babe," Kayla said turning her head to look at Eddie. "Isn't it sweet she likes the boy next door."
Eddie and Anna laughed.
"Yes, it's right out of a novel," Eddie commented.
"Don't tease. He's a very nice guy," Anna replied in defense of her and John.
"He better be if she's seeing my sis."
"Are you all official?" Kayla asked intrigued.
"I mean... neither of us has actually asked the other to be exclusive, no."
"Well, I have no doubt he's a great guy if you are seeing him," Kayla said sweetly.
"He really is," Anna smiled softly.
"You said we'll get to meet him?" Eddie enquired as he collected their takeaway boxes.
"I'll ask him in the morning if he is free tomorrow evening. You all still wanted to go to The Shambles, yes?"
"Yes, I love walking around over there," Kayla enthused.
"I'm sure he'd love to join us, but I'll check with him and I'll let you all know."
"Great," Eddie said as he stood with boxes in his hands. "I can't wait to meet the neighbor. What's his name?"
"John," Anna grinned.
"Strong name. We'll let you get to bed. We'll tidy up."
"I can manage," Anna lightly protested as her and Kayla stood.
"I didn't say you couldn't. Now, goodnight," Eddie said in a sing sing voice.
"Goodnight, Anna," Kayla said.
"Goodnight. Thank you for cleaning up."
"No problem," Eddie yelled from the kitchen.
Anna made her way to her room looking forward to seeing John the following morning.