Page 14 of Crave Thy Neighbor

Not because she’s River’s best friend.

No.

Maya comes with attachments, and I don’t do attachments.

She’s the first to break eye contact, and fuck am I thankful for it.

I clear my throat, rising to my feet. I hold my hand out to her. “Sorry, I guess Dean’s not the only one with bad manners tonight. It’s nice to finally meet you,Maya.”

Her brows rise at the inflection, and she pastes on a fake smile.

“Yeah, good to meet you too,Nolan.”

You liedis what she’s really saying with her eyes as she slides her hand into mine.

I didn’t lie, you assumedis what mine say back, working hard as fuck to ignore the way her hand feels against mine. It’s soft and tiny compared to my mitt. I hold on a beat longer than I should, hoping no one notices.

“I spotted a table over that way.” Dean points behind him. “How about you ladies go grab it and Nolan and I can handle the drinks?”

They practically run away from us, probably wanting some girl time together.

“So, uh, that’s Maya,” he says once they’re out of earshot.

“Yeah, man, kinda gathered that.”

He trains his eyes on me, studying me hard.

I hate the way he’s looking at me. Staring at me like I’m not telling him something.

Which, to be fair, I’m not. But he doesn’t know that.

I ignore him, lifting my hand for Donny. Man, I’m going to owe him one hell of a tip tonight.

Fortunately, Donny isn’t busy, so he rushes right over, not allowing any time for Dean to start peppering me with questions.

“Another round?” Donny points at my beer.

I nod, paying no attention to the stare Dean’s still burning into me.

“For you, Dean? Your usual beer?”

“Please, and whatever rye-heavy bourbon you have, too. Neat.”

“Didn’t take either of your ladies as bourbon girls.” He taps the counter once. “Coming right up.”

I hold my breath as Donny walks away, knowing what’s coming from Dean before he says it.

“What the hell was that?” he demands.

I play it cool, picking at the label on my beer bottle. “What was what?” I ask, as if I have no idea what he’s talking about.

He pins me with aDon’t bullshit mestare.

I sigh.

“It was nothing.”

“Right. Very convincing, Brooks.”