Page 70 of Crave Thy Neighbor

And I want to do itbad.

The elevatorfinallysignals we’ve arrived at the right floor, and when we step out, Nolan’s hand finds the small of my back as we make our way down the hall.

I swear I can feel electricity hum through me at the simple touch.

We knock on the door, and luckily we don’t have to wait long before it’s being swung open.

I can’t help it—I burst into laughter.

Dean’s grin slips right off his face and he lets out a loud sigh.

“Seriously, Maya?”

I don’t answer. I’m too busy laughing.

“You, of all people? And to think you were my favorite. Looks like that’s Caroline’s title now.”

“One I’ll gladly accept!” she calls from inside the apartment.

I peek up at Nolan, and he’s standing there with his mouth hanging open.

“What?” Dean barks at him. “Got something to say?”

“Yeah, nice womb broom, you fucking hipster.”

Dean reaches up and strokes the mustache that is definitely something new for him. “I’m not a hipster.”

Nolan points to Dean’s face. “That right there says you are.”

“Dude, did you call it a womb broom?” River asks, appearing at Dean’s side and shoving him out of the way. He stalks away, mumbling about his new facial hair. “This is why you’remyfavorite, Nolan.”

“I resent that remark, River,” Cooper complains.

She rolls her eyes. “Come on in. Just ignore Dean’s face. I’ve learned if you don’t look at it, it’s like it doesn’t exist.”

She ushers us into the apartment, and we follow her into the kitchen.

It’s weird. I’ve been in this same room many times over the years, but somehow, now, it feels different.

It could be because I’m with Nolan and River is with Dean and Caroline is with Cooper. It feels all…couple-y, even though Nolan and I aren’t a couple.

We just can’t stop making out.

“Whiskey or wine?” River holds up a bottle of each.

“Whiskey,” I say, craving the burn of the alcohol to take my mind off things.

She pours me two fingers’ worth of bourbon, then adds another for good measure.

Bless her.

“So, uh, what’s up with the mustache?” I ask her when Dean’s out of earshot.

“It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” Her tone says she’s annoyed, but her eyes say something entirely different. “He said he wanted to try something new. I bet he shaves it off by tomorrow night. His students are going to go nuts over it.”

“It’s…something.”

“Does it feel good?” Caroline asks, sliding up next to us.

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