Page 26 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

“Leo’s terrarium?”

“Your wannabe Ninja Turtle’s house is intact.”

Dean lets out a relieved breath, one I’m certain he’s been holding since we ran from the building. I can’t imagine Leo’s setup is cheap, and since my mother was a teacher, I am more than aware of how little he makes.

“I’m happy to hear that. I’m glad Leo’s okay.” Lucy makes everyone jump by appearing out of thin air like she frequently does.

“Aw, crap. Lucy, I amsosorry. I didn’t…I wasn’t thinking. River came barging over to my apartment under the guise ofanothernoise complaint when I’m certain she was just lonely and needed company but was too afraid to ask. I—”

“You ass!” I yell at him, trying hard not to smack him upside his head.

He just smirks down at me, and I shrink into myself.

I’m sure me showing up in a towel didn’t help at all, but that issonot what I was doing there.

Dean ruined yet another day of mine—first by stealing my pie, then by getting me all riled up and stressed when I’m already stressed. Next he had to go and ruin my bath. Theonething I had going for me today, he screws up.

This whole thing is his fault, and I refuse to take any of the blame for it.

Nope. Not going to happen.

Ever.

Lucy pats Dean’s shoulder. “Don’t sweat it, dear. I’m just glad everyone is okay, the damage was contained, and the apartment below you was empty. We’ll let insurance take care of everything.” The corners of her lips tip down. “I am sorry about you having to find new living arrangements.”

“Is the apartment not habitable at all?”

“It is. However, as building manager,Ican’t have you staying there, for insurance purposes. I’m sure you understand.”

Dean’s face falls, all the color vanishing in a flash.

His shoulders slump as the reality of everything starts to set in.

“I’ll hold the apartment for you once things get back in tiptop shape,” Lucy tells him.

“Oh, hell. Fucking hell. Where am I going to live? There’s no way I’d ever go back to my parents’, and my best friend’s place is way too small for the two of us and Leo.” His eyes widen with fear. “Leo! Ah, crap, crap, crap. I could go to a hotel but…oh, hell. Shit. I am completely screwed. I—”

“Dean,” Lucy says in that soothing voice of hers as he gulps in air. “We’ll figure it out. Just take a breath. Relax.”

“Relax? I can’t relax, Lucy! I just almost burned down your entire building!”

“Oh, dear…” She steers him a few feet away, talking softly, trying to get him to cool off.

The firefighter whistles. “I’ve been in this business long enough to know insurance can move slow as all heck. It could be a rough couple of months for him.”

Months?Dean could be out of a place to live for that long? And Leo too?

Shit. That makes me feel bad for Leo.

And I guess Dean too.

But only by default.

“Damn. Tough break for him.” The gentleman shakes his head, then turns to me, hitching his thumb toward his crew. “I’ll send one of my men over to finish up taking your statements. You just let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, shooting him a quick smile, then diverting my gaze back to the scene in front of me.

It’s hard to take my eyes off Dean.

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