Page 35 of Love Thy Neighbor

He walks away, and I lean down to her. “When I told you to mingle, I didn’t mean with him.”

“I couldn’t run away fast enough when he told me his name. I recognized it instantly. I know how you feel about him.”

“I’m sure he’s not a completely bad guy, but fuck does he drive me mad at work.”

“He’s caused you to break at least two keyboards. That’s enough for me to stay far away from him.” She presses up on her tiptoes. “See? I’m a good friend too.”

Someone bumps into her from behind and she stumbles into me.

On instinct, I wrap my arm around her waist, catching her.

“Hey! Watch it!” I yell at the guy.

He ignores me.

“Fucking jackass,” I spit at him, glowering at his back.

“Uh, Coop?”

“Huh?” I pull my gaze to Caroline. “What?”

I realize my arm is still wrapped around her waist and I’m holding her close.

Tooclose.

I can feel the beat of the music through her bodykind of close.

Can feel her hot breath seeping through my shirt.

The curve of her waist that’s biting into my fingertips.

If I keep her here for much longer, she’ll be able to feel me—all of me—too.

I clear my throat, setting her back onto her feet and putting some space between us.

What is with me tonight? Am I really that deprived of human contact?

With a headshake, I down the full contents of my glass.

I need more.

“Gonna grab another. You good?”

She nods as she studies me with curious eyes.

“Good.”

I stalk away before she can study me too much more.

Shayla sees me approaching, and I shake my glass at her.

She sets to work making my usual and I scan the crowd again, this time putting my full concentration on every female who isn’t my best friend.

There’s a brunette sitting a few tables away who catches my eye.

She smiles, then lifts a daiquiri to her lips. Ugh. No. She’ll taste like sugar after drinking that.

I give her a tight smile and then move on.

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