Page 16 of A Very Grumpy Neighbor

“Uh-huh.”

“I like it. It’s quiet. Or it was until this new neighbor moved in next door.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. She’s always humming and singing to herself.”

“She sounds adorable,” I quip.

He smiles crookedly. “She is.”

“Well, I hope you brought her a plate of brownies or cookies to welcome her to the neighborhood.”

“I drove her home when she was drunk. And I’m buying her tacos right now.”

“Fine. What else?”

He frowns as he finishes his food. “You want an ice cream or something?”

“No, I mean, tell me something else about you.”

“I was in the Marines.”

“Yeah.”

“And I’m not anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Shot.”

“You were shot?”

“Yeah. Shoulder. On my last tour.”

“I’m sorry. That’s why it was sore?”

He nods.

“I’m glad you’re all right now.”

“Yeah.”

We’re silent for a bit. Once I’m done eating, Meyer sets some bills on the table and stands, offering me his hand.

“Are you sure you don’t want some ice cream?” he asks as we walk back to his truck.

“No, I’m stuffed.”

He grunts and opens my door, helping me into the passenger seat. We make the short drive to my car, and he parks behind it.

“I didn’t think I would, but I had fun,” I tell him as I unbuckle my seatbelt.

“Good.”

I wait to see if he’ll say he had fun, too. Nothing.

I smile awkwardly. “Right. Well, see you.”

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