Page 62 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

There’s a moment of silence as they exchange a look, and I hold my breath, hoping for the best.

Olive nearly has tears in her eyes as she beams at her husband. “Oh, David. We’ve been waiting for the perfect family to buy our home for years, and I think this is it.”

“We definitely are,” I say, hoping beyond hope they let me buy it and the price is right.

David rubs at his chin. “I think our home would make you both really happy. It’s sure made Olive and me happy. We raised five children there, and we couldn’t have asked for a better home.”

“We’ll treasure every second.”

The server drops off our orders, and we take a few minutes to get everything situated, but before Olive takes a bite of her salad, she smiles at me.

“You’re both going to be so happy there.”

“I hope so. I love this woman more than anything,” I say, feeling every ounce of truth in those words. “Thank you.”

For the next half hour, David and I discuss the price, options, and Olive tells me more about the interior of the house, since Felicity and I have never even stepped foot through the doors. I listen as they tell me stories of raising their children there, and I laugh as I tell them I remember their son, Holden. “We played football together.”

Olive nods her head with recognition. “I remember your mother Carol. Oh, you really are perfect for our old home.”

“I really am,” I tell them, brimming with excitement to tell Felicity.

As I leave the restaurant, I shoot off another text to her.

Have a huge surprise for you.

Felicity: Hurry up and get home. I miss you so much.

On my way.

Chapter 29

Felicity

It’s been six hours since I heard from Shepherd. I’m officially scared.

With each passing hour, I told myself I was overreacting. That he stopped somewhere, that he’s stuck in traffic, that he got pulled over. But as the hours have ticked by, it’s getting harder to believe any of those theories, especially since I’ve called and texted with zero reply.

Shepherd, I am now scared. You need to call me back now!

I squeeze my phone as I wait for a reply or for it to ring.

“Screw this.” I pull up Anya’s number and press call.

“Hey, Felicity. I was just talking about my nephew. I was telling Griffin that you and I should look for a photographer to take newborn pictures. How cute will that be? I was also thinking —”

“Anya,” I cut in, laughing lightly, but there’s no humor there. I’d love to spend all day talking about the baby that will be here soon, but right now I’m way too worried.

“What?”

“Have you heard from Shepherd at all?”

“No, why?”

“He texted me telling me he was going to Saint Pierce and then texted saying he was on his way home and that was six hours ago,” I explain.

“Griffin, have you heard from Shep?” she shouts. I wait impatiently for her to say something, when she finally says, “Griffin hasn’t heard from him either. Hang on, I’ll add you to the family group message. Ask in there. I’m sure somebody knows something.” After a few seconds, she tells me that I’m added and after a quick goodbye we hang up.

Hey everyone, it’s Felicity. Has anyone heard from Shepherd?

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