Page 34 of The Neighbor's Son

“Dammit.” Dad sighs heavily and drops into his recliner. “I was kidding about that last part, but clearly, you’re not. You’re lovesick, my boy.”

Lovesick doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me.

“So?”

“Lovesick can be a toxic thing,” he says gently. “I was that way with your mother. Fell way too hard, way too fast. We had you, which was great, but we weren’t meant to be for the long run. I’m just worried she’s going to break your heart.”

Casey isn’t Mom.

Casey is good and loving and kind.

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” I lift my chin, hoping to show him how serious I am about this. “Casey is an incredible woman. There are so many layers to her, and I love uncovering each one. Plus, she’s so fucking beautiful.”

Dad grunts but doesn’t argue with me.

How can he?

This isn’t an infatuation or a fling.

I have feelings for her that get deeper with each passing second. It’s maddening but also the best thing to ever go through.

“Does Derek know?”

“It’s not his business.” I grit my teeth together. “You’re not going to tell him either.”

He holds up both palms in defense. “Not my place, but he is my friend. If he asks, I can’t lie.”

“Then don’t. It’s not like he has any right to have an opinion about it either way. He gave that up when he walked out on her.”

“Promise me you’ll be careful,” he says, voice pleading. “Slow things down if you can. There’s no rush. Sex isn’t everything in a relationship.”

No, it’s not.

Casey is everything, though.

I’ll take her in whatever capacity she’ll give me.

“I know, Dad.”

“If things get messy, as things often do, just know you can’t escape this. She lives next door. I’m her landlord. I really hope you’re being smart about this.”

Nothing kills the buzz of a hot date like your dad lecturing you.

“I have to go,” I say gruffly. “I told her I’d pick her up now.”

Without another word, I leave our unit and stride over to the one next door. Mo is waiting by the door, swishing his tail angrily. He wants in.

“You and me both,” I mutter to him.

I ring the doorbell and a few seconds later, Casey answers. She’s in a brown skirt that swishes when she walks and hits her mid-thigh, showing off every inch of her silky skin. The creme-colored camisole barely contains her bouncy breasts and the orange sweater she has over it just begs to be ripped off the second she gets too warm. She’s wearing a pair of sexy tan wedges that accentuates her calf muscles, showing off all her hard work from daily walks. With her blonde hair in loose waves over one shoulder and smelling so fucking sweet, I’m too dazzled to do anything but stare.

“I take it you like this outfit,” she says, beaming at me. “I love how I can read your emotions. They’re not hidden behind a wall of stoicism.”

My face flashes hot, revealing how I feel about her words. “You’re a damn knockout, Casey. A dream come true.”

Mo meows from inside her house, having slipped inside while we were distracted. We both laugh as she closes the door behind her.

“Ready for my date, boyfriend,” she says, holding out her hand so I’ll take it.

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