Page 15 of A Very Grumpy Neighbor

He nods. “I knew I couldn’t back out on Camden. He’d never forgive me.”

“He’s your best friend?”

“Yeah. He’s here in town.”

“You served together?”

“Yeah. Marines.”

“You have whole conversations with him?”

He grunts and shoves a chip in his mouth. “What about you?”

I smirk. “I have whole conversations.”

“Smartass,” he grumbles.

I grin and dip my chip in the salsa.

“Tell me about you.”

“Well, I’m new to town. I just bought a house with this grumpy neighbor, but aside from that, I like it here.”

“That’s good.”

“I’m an arborist for the state park. I love plants, nature, and dogs.”

“You don’t have a dog,” he points out.

“Not yet. Hopefully soon.”

Our food is delivered, and I sigh happily as I grab my fork and dig in.

“Hot!” I gasp, fanning my mouth as I breathe out.

“Here,” he says, sliding me a glass of water.

“Thanks.”

We eat in silence for a minute.

I glance up at him. “What about you?”

“My food is hot, too.”

“Great. I meant, tell me about yourself.”

He shifts in his seat, looking uncomfortable.

I eat more of my burrito and watch him, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Meyer.”

“Hmm?”

“This is the part where you open up and talk about yourself.”

“Well, I’m kind of new to town.”

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