Page 110 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

“Like a giant betting pool,” I say. I sit back, crossing my arms with an amused grin. “You dicks have been betting on our relationship status, haven’t you?”

Several of them bob their heads up and down.

I laugh.

Of course they would.

“What!” River explodes, shooting up from her chair. “You guys have seriously beenbettingon us?” More nods. “That is messed up onsomany levels.” She turns her heated gaze on Caroline. “And you knew?Participated?”

She has the decency to look ashamed. “The winning pot could pay an entire month’s rent.”

“You aresofired!” River says.

Caroline’s jaw drops, and I shake my head. “No you’re not.”

“Shut up, Dean. She is too.” She motions toward the other gamblers. “And ha! The joke is on all of you because we aren’t dating. We’re just friends with benefits.”

Several people exchange glances, all looking at each other to see if anyone had that piece of information.

Then one by one, they all fall into fits of laughter.

“Oh, honey,” Mailbox Betty says, swiping at her eyes. “What you two are isnotfriends with benefits. You’re dating.”

“No we’re not!” River argues back. “We are definitelynotdating.”

I bristle at the hardness in her voice. Like she can’t even fathom someone suggesting such a thing in a serious capacity. Like dating me would be the worst thing in the world.

Guess now I don’t have to worry—she clearly doesn’t feel the same as I do about keeping this going.

That peculiar ache returns, and I rub at my chest, trying to get it to go away.

Several people give us a sad smile at River’s continued insistence. A few people put their heads together, whispering and pointing.

Okay then…

A pair of skates skid into my peripheral as Lucy skates to a stop in front of us. She removes her mouthguard, her hands going to her hips.

“Who won?” she asks.

“Lucy!” River admonishes. “You too?”

Our building manager grins. “Who do you think organized it?”

I laugh, and it gains River’s attention.

“Please do not tell meyou’rein on it too. Tell me this is not some version ofShe’s All Thator something where the hot guy gets the dorky chick to sleep with him all for a bet.”

“First, I’m so happy to hear you think I’m hot. Second, no, I’m not in on this. I’m just as surprised as you.” I glance around the group. “And flattered you all care about my sex life so much.”

A few of them snicker.

River drops back down into her chair. “Assholes. The whole lot of them.”

“Just some harmless fun,” Lucy says, tapping her skate against River’s foot. “We don’t mean anything by it, dear, though I am glad you two finally got together.”

“But we—”

“Oh, just give it a rest and accept it already, River,” Caroline pipes up. I’m surprised because she’s typically so shy and quiet. “You’re sleeping together and living together. You do everything together, include annoy the rest of us with yourwill they, won’t theyschtick. Just call it what it is: you’re dating.”

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