Page 23 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

“If you don’t, I’m going to—”

“What? Report me to Lucy? Please. That woman loves me. She never does anything with the inane complaints.”

“She should take them seriously. This building would be a lot better off without the likes of you.”

“With you still here? Not likely.”

“Comeon. You’re the nuisance, not me.”

I raise a brow at her. “Says the girl who constantlytattleson her neighbors. Even my students know tattling isn’t cool.”

“I don’t tattle, but now that you mention it, I feel awful for those poor, misguided gremlins who have to suffer through the school year withyouas their teacher.”

“I’ll have you know I’m an excellent teacher.”

She huffs. “Just like you’re an excellent dancer.”

“You know, I’m beginning to think the whole reason you came over here was to show off that tiny towel of yours. Does someone have a sexual agenda with me?”

“What? No! You are seriously insane! Utterly fucking deranged.”

“I happen to think I’m perfectly sane.”

Her eyes fall back to menacing slits as she takes a step toward me. I’d be terrified if she weren’t eight inches shorter than me…and turning me on so much. “Turn. The. Music. Down.”

I invade her space right back. “No.”

“Turn it down, Dean.”

“Make me.”

“Fine.”

She’s fast; I’ll give her that.

River pushes past me like it’s no obstacle at all, sprinting into my apartment.

“Where is it?”

“Son of a…” I chase after her.

“Where’s your ster—FIRE! Fire! Fire! Fire!”

“What?” I barely stop myself from crashing into her when the smell hits me. “Shit! Fire!”

I grab the spray hose connected to the sink and aim for the fire.

“No! Don’t! Water—”

I spray.

And everything goes to hell in a handbasket.

Flames lick over the stove, across the towel that’s disintegrating into nothing, and up the wall. It feels like it happens in less than two seconds.

“You idiot!” River pulls on me to get back. “Water and grease do not play well together!”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

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