Page 26 of Matched with the Playboy Next Door

“Ethan?” she says, glancing at me.

“Yeah?”

She pauses, like she’s weighing her words carefully. “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”

I raise an eyebrow, curious. “You know that’s not possible. What is it?”

Her lips twitch, like she’s fighting a smile. “Just… thanks for sticking up for me tonight. It means a lot.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, leaning against the truck door.

“Goodnight, Ethan,” she says softly, her tone warmer than I expected.

“Goodnight, Riley,” I reply, stepping back as she climbs into her truck.

I watch as her taillights disappear into the night, and for the first time since I got here, I feel like maybe—just maybe—I’m starting to earn her trust.

“Well, that was… something,” Mia’s voice cuts through the quiet. I glance over to see her leaning against her car, arms crossed and a knowing look on her face.

“What?” I ask, feigning ignorance as I grab my keys.

“Oh, don’t play dumb,” she says, smirking. “The big speech? The ‘Riley doesn’t need anyone to bring out her potential’ line? That was more than justdefending a neighbor. I was stalking over here to lay into those idiots myself, but it looks like you had it all taken care of.”

“She deserved to be defended,” I reply, shrugging.

Mia steps closer, tilting her head. “Sure, but you don’t usually get that worked up. So, what’s going on?”

“Nothing’s going on,” I say firmly. “Riley deals with enough without people adding to it.”

Mia raises an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Well, if that’s the case, I won’t bother using my matchmaking skills on you two.”

“Good,” I say, shooting her a look as I open my car door. “Because there’s nothing to matchmake.”

She grins, clearly unconvinced. “If you say so. But Ethan… I think you’ve already made your choice. You’re falling for her, whether you realize it or not.”

“Goodnight, Mia,” I say, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck.

“Goodnight, Ethan,” she replies, her smirk widening as she waves me off.

As I drive home, her words linger in my mind.You’re falling for her, whether you realize it or not.

And I think she might be right.

CHAPTER 10

RILEY

The cool morning breeze brushes against my face as I sit on the porch steps, staring out at the quiet street. My coffee cup is warm in my hands, but I haven’t taken a sip in a while. The events of last night keep replaying in my head—Ethan standing up for me, the way his voice steadied me, like he wasn’t just defending me but reminding me of something I forgot about myself.

It’s unsettling, but not in a bad way.

The creak of a gate pulls my attention, and I glance over to see Ethan walking out of his yard, a cup of his own in hand. His gaze catches mine, and he hesitates for a moment before heading toward me.

“Morning,” he says, his voice softer than usual as he approaches.

“Morning,” I reply, shifting slightly to make room for him on the steps.

He sits down beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him. For a while, we sit in comfortable silence, the only sounds coming from the distant hum of the town waking up.

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