Page 69 of Faking Romance

As much as I want to kick Gray’s ass right now, I do have to admit that I love my apartment building and its residents. Tay would be glad that I’m making more friends. She’s always telling me I need to put myself out there more often. I make a mental note to text her later.

“Can we make one of these the book for next month’s book club?” Margie asks me as she approaches with her selection.

“I don’t see why not,” I say.

“You know, I have this nephew…I mean, if you want to dip your foot back into the dating pool,” she offers.

I shake my head. “You know, I think I might pull myself off the market for a while. I’m sort of over men at the moment.”

“Fair enough. The two of us swore off men a long time ago. I mean, other than that nice man we hired a few times, but I don’t think that counts, does it? Oh and our dates from the app the other night,” she says.

“Hired?” I ask, frowning in confusion.

Cornelia swats Margie’s arm as she walks over to us with Jocelyn in tow. “Margie!”

“What? The girls can keep a secret,” Margie says. “We found this escort right after our husbands died. I mean, ladies have needs. He offered us a two-for-one, but Cornelia said no way, so we both had a go with him. Cost a pretty penny.”

Jocelyn bends over in a fit of laughter. “You…hired…a…sex worker…for both…of you,” she manages in between laughing.

“Yep. And I don’t regret it one bit. Best damn sex of my life.” Margie leans forward. “Maybe you should too. I can give you his number. He’s very professional.”

“I’m sure he is,” I say, my face flushing with heat.

“You two have a nice day,” Margie adds as she takes her book.

“You think Heath is still working?” Cornelia asks as they leave.

I look over at Jocelyn who has now fallen to the floor in laughter. “I’m sorry…I just…oh God, that is some good stuff,” she stammers around her laughter.

I roll my eyes. “I’m going to get a coffee. Can you pull yourself together long enough to man the desk?”

“Only if you get me this Heath’s number,” she teases.

I groan. “Thank you,” I say as I glare at her but then our eyes meet and we both laugh. “I’m never going to look at them the same way, ever again.”

“That makes two of us,” Jocelyn agrees.

And with that, I head over to get coffee. I try not to glance up at Gray’s apartment, but I do and I find him staring down at me. I turn away, pretending I didn’t see him, but I feel his eyes boring into me the entire way across the street. Deep regret washes over me. Why did I have to fall for my neighbor? And when will I stop wanting him?

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Grayson

I stare out the window waiting for Roxy to walk back across the street. I should be putting the finishing touches on my composition that Pierce and Wade wanted for the ending credits, but instead, I’m hoping to get just a small view of the woman I’ve fallen for. Shit. Do I love Roxy? No. It’s too soon. It’s hardly been two months since we first met.

A knock at my door pulls my attention from the street. I look through the peephole and sigh.

Opening the door, I glare at my friend. “What?”

“Wow. Good to see you too. Uh, any chance you can watch Ava? She’s off school today and I just got called into the ER early,” Bray says as I look down and see Ava peeking through his legs.

“Hi, Mr. Gray,” Ava says shyly as she looks inside my apartment. She’s been in here a few times. Mostly, she just wants to play the piano or watch television. I did teach herThree Blind Miceon the cello a few months ago, but she bored of that after twenty minutes.

“Hi, Ava,” I reply as I step to the side and put a hand out, motioning them inside. It’s then I notice Bray has a small pink book bag. Ava giggles and runs through his legs and into my apartment.

“Aves! Do not run!” he yells after her. But she’s already spinning in circles so her skirt puffs up.

“Look at my skirt, Mr. Gray! I’m a ballerina!” she yells.

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