Page 80 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

I turn on my heel and pull open the front door. His sister stumbles back slightly but quickly composes herself.

She grins at me, her big white smile almost blinding. “You must be the neighbor I’ve heard so much about.”

“Huh.” I peek over at Dean. “Have you been talking about me,Deanie Weenie?”

The death stare he gives his sisteralmostmakesmebreak out in hives. He looms over both of us, hands on his hips, stance menacing.

His anger simmers in his eyes. “I’m going to murder you.”

She waves his threat off. “Please. Then who will deal with your father for you?” She turns to me. “I’m Holland.”

“River.”

“I’m sure you’re wondering where Dean got his nickname.”

I bob my head. “Very much so.”

“Holland, don’t you dare.”

I turn to him, patting his chest. “Hush.”

“When he was a kid, helovedto be naked. He’d strip down to nothing whenever and wherever he could, then start flapping hisweeniein the wind like that helicopter move.” She wiggles her hips like I’ve seen guys do before. “He’d shout,Deanie’s Weenie, Deanie’s Weenie!” She shrugs. “Naturally, it stuck…and so did the nightmares.”

Dean swears and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I regret inviting you to dinner.”

“Good thing you didn’t invite me.”

“That’s right—you just texted me and showed up.”

“I wanted to see the damage you did to your apartment in person.” She shakes her head and grins my way. “Can you believe this idiot? Threw water on a grease fire.”

“Oh, I can believe it—I witnessed it.”

“I’m so sorry. I thought our parents raised him better than that. Paid for that fancy private school and college and everything. Still so dense.”

“Okay,” Dean says, playfully shoving his sister toward the door. “You’re done. Out you go. We’re leaving.”

“Aw, so soon?” She shoots me another smile, fighting against him. “It was great to finally meet you. I love the items you sell at your shop. We’ll have to chat longer next time.”

She knows about my shop?

“This will be the only time you two ever meet if I have anything to say about it.”

Dean pushes her out the door, closing it in her face as she laughs.

He holds the door closed with one arm and peers down at me.

“Ignore everything she just said. She’s not well.”

“I think she’s perfectly fine.”

“You’re just confused right now.”

“You’re right. I did just ask you of all people to kiss me…again. Clearly, my judgment cannot be trusted.”

“I take mild offense to that.” He clears his throat, eyes growing serious. “We, uh, we should probably talk about…whatever is happening, huh?”

He looks as nervous as I feel because what in the hell is happening? What are we doing?

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