Page 39 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

“Let me through.”

“I didn’t mean anything by that either.”

I glare up at him. “Then whatdoyou mean, Dean?”

“I don’t know. I’m not certain what I’m trying to say, and frankly, I’m worried that no matter what I say, it’s going to offend you.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Can I get that in writing?”

“Dean.”

“Fine. Let me start over, then?” He clears his throat. “It’s sad you stay up so late working on your business, but I don’t mean that in a bad way. I mean it like…I wish you were able to delegate more so you didn’t have to sacrifice sleep…or interrupt mine.”

I knew there would be selfish reasons for his words. I open my mouth, but he beats me to the punch.

“But I also understand not wanting to hand over your baby to someone else. On the flip side of that, it’s a huge accomplishment that your shop is doing so well. You should be proud. I am.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to bite me and force my way past. I don’t need his validation.

It’s likely sad that my first instinct is to not believe him.

It’s also likely childish of me.

But, hey, Dean brings out that side of me.

I nod a thanks, because deep down I think there’s some sincerity to his words beyond him wanting uninterrupted sleep, and then I try to leave.

He doesn’t let me.

I grit my teeth. “What?”

“Are we good?”

I roll my shoulders back and look up at him.

There’s no way he misses the hitch in my breath.

His vibrant Kelly green eyes nearly knock me on my ass.

He looks genuinely worried that he’s offended me.

He’s never looked at me like this before, and that’s saying something because he’s offended me multiple times over the months he’s been my neighbor.

This time feels different.

Like he cares.

About me.

Forme.

My breaths begin to come in sharper, and if he notices, he doesn’t give any indication.

“River, are we good?”

My eyes drift to his mouth…to his perfectly sculpted lips…

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