Page 16 of Under My Skin

“Well, renovating a house sucks. I think I’m gonna hire someone. A bathroom pipe bursting yesterday finally convinced me that I’m not as handy as I thought.”

“I’ll get you my cousin Mikey’s number. He’s the best in town and won’t overcharge you,” Liam replies.

“I’d appreciate that.”

“How are the girls holding up? Settling in okay?” Reid asks.

“They’re good. Getting a little restless, I think. It’s hard entertaining kids twenty-four seven. Even with playdates with Nikki’s kids, it just seems like there are more hours in the day than I remember.”

“I’ve been taking my nephew to this pottery class the past couple of weeks. Lizzie Montgomery runs them, and the kids have the best time. Plus, it’ll give you a few free hours every week,” Reid suggests.

“Lizzie was actually telling me about it yesterday. I’m going to check it out,” I say, trying to hide my reaction at Lizzie’s name.

“I forgot Lizzie was your neighbor. I mean,isyour neighbor,” Liam corrects himself. “She had the biggest crush on you, remember? It's weird. I still think of her as that gangly teen, but then I’m reminded that she’s all grown up every time I see her in town. She really grew up overnight, didn’t she?” He raises his eyebrows up and down suggestively, and I have to force myself to tamp down my possessiveness over the girl I’m trying to ignore.

“Yeah, she really did,” I grind out, not as nonchalantly as I was going for.

“Yeah, no. You just almost growled at me, so I need more. Are there some friendly neighbor shenanigans going on? I mean, you just got into town." Reid lifts his hands like he can’t believe it.

At that, I decide to recap yesterday’s interaction with Lizzie, leaving out her muddy wipeout, to get the guys’ opinion. Or really, just their confirmation that I need to avoid her. When I finish, my best friends are just staring at me with smiles on their faces.

“What?”

“I think someone has a crush, and it’s not Lizzie this time. What do you think, Liam?” Reid asks.

“Definitely,” Liam agrees.

“I don’t have a crush,” I snap. “I’m just surprised by my reaction to her, that’s all. No one’s grabbed my attention since the divorce. Not that it matters—I would never go for Lizzie. She’s too young and way too innocent for me. Plus, like I said earlier, I don’t want to get involved with anyone. Mackenzie, Addy, and the house are the only ladies in my life.”

Not sure who I’m trying to reassure here.

“Yeah, okay. Time will tell, I guess,” Reid says. “But I’m not convinced.”

“Me either. I’m calling it now,” Liam adds casually and then makes eye contact with Lexi as she walks by to signal another round for the table.

“Not a chance. You’ll see.”

“Just remember that Lizzie Montgomery is Brantley Falls’ sweetheart. Everyone loves her, and if you wrong her, you’re going to have a ton of angry townspeople to deal with.”

I’m not sure if Reid’s joking, but I’m a little offended by their lack of faith in me. Like I’m some horny teenager with no control. I’m pretty sure I can resist a hot piece of ass.

As I’m taking the remaining sip of my beer and setting the empty bottle on the table, the sound of a familiar voice floats by. I turn and see the woman we were all just talking about walking toward our table, chatting to the two women she’s with. It’s like I conjured her up.

Fuck me.

“Lizzie,” I shout without thinking.

Liam and Reid both turn their heads to the three women, and Reid just smiles and laughs under his breath. “You are so full of shit, Cam.”

I look over to Liam and see him go fucking pale. He’s looking at the girls like he’s seen a ghost.

“Ellie?” Liam asks shakily.

I quickly look at Reid.Oh fuck.

9

LIZZIE

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