Page 113 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

“I told you.”

I sigh, walking away from the door as she follows me inside.

“I don’t want to hear yourI told you sostuff, Maya. I love you like a sister, but I will slap you.”

“Eh, I could take you. I have before.”

“It wasonefight, and you were pregnant. I couldn’t hit you!”

“A win is a win.” She laughs. “I brought pie. It’s not cherry, but it is Dutch apple.”

“Just set it on the counter. I’m not hungry.”

She disappears into the kitchen, then comes back and takes a seat on the edge of the couch where I’ve curled back up.

“You look awful.”

“Gee, thanks. I really needed a kick when I’m already down.” She tries to push my hair out of my face, and I swat her hand away. “Stop it. I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine. You look heartbroken.”

“That’ll happen when you get your heart broken.”

She purses her lips. “How can you be heartbroken if you weren’t dating?”

I don’t say anything.

A sly smile slides across her face.

“You love him. You’rein lovewith him.”

“Me in love with Dean? Please. I—OUCH!”

She whacks mehardon the ass.

“What the hell, Maya?” I cry out, rubbing my already aching butt cheek.

“Does that hurt?” I nod. “Good. Now get off it and go tell your idiotic neighbor you’re in love with him.”

Her words sound crazy.

But in my heart, no matter how much I try to deny it, I know they’re true.

As much as I don’t want to be, I’m in love with Dean Evans.

For all the reasons I shouldn’t be in love with him, I have ten more why I should.

He annoys me, but he makes me laugh just as much. We argue too much, but he challenges me. We hardly have anything in common, but I always have fun with him. I want to be around him as much as I don’t. He’s kind, he’s smart. Driven and funny.

And he’s somehow managed to completely capture my heart.

I rub at where she hit me. “You just smacked my ass—likely left a damn welt—all for a joke?”

“No. Your ass just happened to be there, and it’s pretty damn smackable.”

She winks, and a smile slips through my anger.

I shake my head. “You bitch.”

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