Page 25 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

My brows crinkle together, and Jessa catches it before I can school my reaction.

“I’ve done my research.” She winks. “I know you two have been spotted together at several charity events and that your families are good friends.”

They’re “good friends” in the typical elitist way—they use each other when they can and stick their noses up when they’re of no use to one another.

“Yeah, we go way back,” I say with a forced smile. “Speaking of going back, I’d better get back to my desk. I have a few emails to send out before lunch.”

“Oh! Before you go—did I overhear correctly that you have a walk-through at that apartment building downtown tomorrow? The Altitude?”

Freakin’ Emma.

“I do.”

“Well, Sutton here was telling me how he’s currently staying at the Burlington Hotel…”

Oh god.

“I’m not sure the building has any other available units,” I tell her, sliding my eyes toward Sutton, who is staring at me with amusement in his eyes.

He’s enjoying seeing me squirm under Jessa’s attention while I try to politely tell him to fuck off without her noticing my disdain for him.

“Never hurts to check! I’m sure it gets old staying at a hotel.” She gives me a beaming grin. “I’ll let you get back to your work. I wanted to chat with Sutton a bit anyway.”

I give her a tight smile and hustle out of the break room before she can try to corner me into anything else.

I can feel Sutton’s eyes on me as I make my way back to my desk, but I refuse to look back at him.

I can’t believe Jessa just tried to corner me into helping him find an apartment at Dean’s building. I’m already working with the guy. The absolute last thing I need is to live in the same building as him.

I’d be sure to end up in jail then.

6

Sutton

I knowwhat I’m doing is wrong.

I know I have absolutely no business being here.

But I can’t seem to stop my feet from crossing the threshold. I can’t seem to stop my legs from carrying me to the elevator. Can’t seem to stop my fingers from pressing the button for the fourth floor. And I can’t seem to keep the grin off my face.

It’s wrong, but I’m doing it anyway.

The elevator stops on the fourth floor and I turn right, making my way down the hall.

I pause when I hear voices.

There’s no mistaking the soft and airy laugh that hits my ears. It’s full of sweetness and patience, the absolute opposite of what she shows me.

Shit. I’m late.

I round the corner and stop several feet away. Holland’s standing at the end of the hall, her back to me. She’s with an older woman who I presume is the one giving the tour.

I take a moment to look Holland over, because I know when I do what I’m about to do, she’s going to murder me, and I might as well go to my grave with good thoughts.

She’s wearing a sky blue sundress with little flowers speckled all over it. It hits about mid-thigh, leaving legs I know are soft and smooth exposed. A pair of wedge sandals gives her a good three inches, and her coppery locks are twisted up in a messy bun. She tosses her head back with another boisterous laugh.

She looks happy.

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