Page 18 of Her Naughty Soldier

"Looks like Jake's getting new neighbors," I say, watching the scene unfold.

Ethan joins me at the window, a curious expression on his face. "Wonder if he's met them yet."

We decide to head downstairs, bringing a couple of boxes with us. Jake's in the living room, and when we tell him about the new neighbors, there's a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"New neighbors, huh?" he says, standing up to take a look. "Might have to go over and introduce myself."

I can't help but tease him. "Oh, playing the friendly neighbor, Jake?"

He chuckles, but there's a hint of something else in his smile, a sort of wistfulness. "Just being neighborly. It's been a while since I've had anyone new to talk to around here."

Ethan claps him on the shoulder. "Well, you've always been good at making people feel welcome."

As Ethan and I prepare to leave, I hug Jake tightly. "You should come over for dinner soon, see the baby's room we're setting up."

"I'd like that," Jake says, a genuine smile on his face.

As we walk to the car, I glance back at the new neighbor's house. The woman is still there, unpacking boxes, a sense of determination about her. I wonder what her story is, what brought her to this neighborhood.

"Maybe she'll be good for Jake," I muse aloud to Ethan.

He nods, a thoughtful look on his face. "Yeah, maybe."

As we drive away, I think about Jake, about how he's always been there for us, supporting us through thick and thin. Yet, there's a sense of loneliness about him, a hidden pain he rarely shows. I hope these new neighbors bring a bit of joy into his life, maybe even a new beginning.

And who knows? Maybe love is just across the street for Jake. As I look at Ethan, the love of my life, I'm reminded that sometimes, the best things in life are unexpected.

Will Jake find the same happiness that his sister did?

Find out in Her Naughty Neighbor!

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