Page 39 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“I’ve missed you,” I shout over the music.

Her face grows soft. “I missed you too.” She hugs me then. I squeeze her.

After moving into River’s apartment, I met her only a couple more times before she said she had to get away for some time. When I asked where she was going, she just said, “Far away from here.”

I didn’t pry. She was running away. From something or someone. I didn’t question it but made her promise to keep in touch. And she kept her word.

She called me almost every day. And when she couldn’t, she texted me. Then today, she gave me the best gift for New Year by coming here. It was a surprise visit. She didn’t call or text informing me about her arrival.

I was so happy that it made me emotional. We hugged for a long time before moving inside and then we talked for a couple of hours.

Then we went shopping. We bought things and the party for three commenced.

My feet are killing me but I am so happy that I don’t want this night to end. Ever.

“You know I never had a house party or been to one before.” The confession pours out. As soon as we embrace each other, things just seem to get out of my mouth without any notice.

“Me neither.”

That surprises me.

Pulling away, I ask, “Really?”

She sighs, “Yeah. It was against the reputation of my family.”

My eyebrows go up. There are so many things we haven’t shared with each other. I am not ready yet. And it appears like she isn’t either. Because she quickly refills our drinks.

She made a margarita with her secret recipe. While I am not a drinker. I loved the cocktail she made and I lost count of the number of drinks we consumed. I can sense the hangover from hell coming already.

“Oh, we forgot to take pictures in party sunglasses!” I exclaim, spilling the precious liquid.

She chuckles as she takes my glass and rests it on the table next to hers. “Yeah, let’s get those baddies out.”

I choose silver star-shaped sunglasses and she dons pink heart-shaped sunglasses.

Holding the phone at arms-length, I snap several selfies of us.

She is something else. She doesn’t judge me for my choice of clothing. She enjoys my quirks. She accepts me as I am. And that’s what you need in a true friend. I am very lucky to have River as my friend.

She comes from a reputable family. An heiress. And yet, she is unlike the stuck-up women I’ve come across.

River is cool. She is down to earth. She is a breath of fresh air.

“So are you going to travel some more?” I ask.

Before she could answer, there is a sharp knock on the door.

She frowns. “You expecting anyone?”

I shake my head and everything blurs for a second. Fuck, I am definitely drunk. “No. Are you?”

She giggles. “No one knows I am in L.A., Summer.”

“Then who is it?” My eyes widen. “I think it’s the ghost I see every night.”

She gapes. “What?”

“Yeaaaah,” I whisper. “I think I see them lurking in the empty rooms in this apartment at night.”

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