Page 31 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

7

Holland

I have never beenone to back down from a competition.

But just this once, I wish I had. Wish I had thought it through.

The last week has been a complete whirlwind.

If you had told me I’d quit my job with my father, move to an entirely different city, get anewjob, and be living with Sutton Barnes—all within one month—I’d have taken you in for a drug test myself.

But here I am, doing just that.

I have no idea what possessed me to say yes to living with him.

The drive to beat him? The desire to prove to him that he doesn’t have the hold over me he thinks he does? The convenience of not having to find a roommate?

I don’t know, but I can’t take it back now.

Now all I can do is make sure I don’t kill Sutton…or fall for him again.

Which shouldn’t be hard. I’m moving on with my life, and that includes not being hung up on the past.

If I’m starting over, I’mreallystarting over.

Fresh city, fresh job, fresh apartment, and fresh things. Which is why I’m standing in a furniture store with Sutton.

Dean and his best friend Nolan offered to take Nolan’s truck back to Wells Springs and load it up with the things I wasn’t able to fit into my car so I wouldn’t have to see my ex-roommate or chance a run-in with my ex-boyfriend, but I declined. I wasn’t eager to see the couch I caught them screwing on and didn’t feel like I could trust them enough to not have done it in my bed either.

I don’t even want to think about the dent I’m putting in my savings account this week between the initial payment on the apartment and furnishing it, but I know in the end it’ll be for the best.

Just like this new direction my life is taking…I hope.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“And why is that?”

He looks down his nose at the throw pillow I’m holding. “Because it has flowers on it.”

“Really? Do you think your masculinity is threatened by some damn flowers?”

“No, but my fucking eyesight is. It’s hideous and something my mother would pick out.”

His mom? Yikes.

I quickly shove the pillow back onto the shelf. “Don’t have to insult me.”

He laughs at my reaction. “Not a fan of my mother?”

Over the years, I’ve spent a fair amount of time with her at various events, and I can safely say that no, I am not a fan of her. If I thought my mother was overbearing and haughty, well she’s a damn saint compared to Lucinda Barnes.

I’ll never forget the time she pulled me aside and informed me that if my goal was to attract the attention of every happily married man at the event that evening, I was succeeding with the “slutty” dress I was wearing. It was a simple floor-length black gown with a cutout in the back.

From then on, I made sure all my evening wear showed off my assets just to spite her.

“Can’t say I am. She doesn’t have a very high opinion of me. I’m sure she’s pleased as punch to know we are now living together.”

“She doesn’t know.”

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