Page 13 of The Dixon Rule

“No,” I grudgingly admit, “not personally. But she fell because she was so distracted by her will-he-or-won’t-he-call obsession. And then spoiler alert—he didn’t call.” I purse my lips. “Okay, he did call. But that was to tell her he wouldn’t be calling anymore.” I give Crystal a firm look. “He is a very dangerous man.”

“It’s all right,” she answers, clearly amused. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m a big girl.”

“You’ve been warned,” I say as I use my key fob to buzz myself in. She trails after me into the well-lit lobby.

“Evening, Diana.”

Richard, the guard who works the night shift, greets me with a smile. He’s in his fifties, with pale skin that always holds a reddish tinge to it as if he’s perpetually sunburned.

“Hey, Richard.” I approach the desk. “This is Crystal. She’s here to see Shane Lindley. Red Birch, apartment 2B.”

He nods and jots it down in his ledger.

“Come on,” I tell her. “It’s this way.”

We leave through the double doors at the back and emerge onto the winding, paved path. Red Birch is the third building from the Sycamore. We pass Cherry Blossom and Silver Pine before I lead her into our own mini lobby.

“We’re up here,” I say, heading for the staircase.

“Oh, you weren’t kidding. You really are neighbors.”

“Ugh. Yeah.”

“Don’t sound so thrilled about it.”

“I don’t like hockey players,” I mutter.

Well, that’s not true. My best friend is a hockey player.

So is her husband, and I like him.

And I like Beckett.

And Will.

Huh. I guess the only one I don’t like is Shane. You learn something new every day.

We reach the top of the stairs. I walk toward my door, which displays a small silver plate that reads 2A. Directing Crystal, I point toward 2B. “He’s over there.”

“Thanks.”

I let myself in and lock the door behind me. From the hall, I hear the murmur of voices. A deep rumble of laughter—Shane’s. Then the faint sound of his door closing.

In my kitchen, I shoot Gigi a quick text.

ME:

What’s Shane’s number? I need it.

I brew myself a cup of herbal tea while I chat with Skip, who’s swimming laps around his tank. My plan for the rest of the night is to tune in to TRN, the reality show network I’m obsessed with. They’re airing a meet-the-cast special tonight for my favorite show, and I’m dying to see who’s going to be in the hacienda this season.

I’m making myself cozy on the couch when my phone dings.

It’s Percy again.

PERCY:

I only ask because I thought it would be nice to see each other and catch up. I totally get it if you don’t want to, but we agreed to be friends, so…

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