Page 108 of Love Thy Neighbor

This is it. The first real proof that this hobby of mine could be something more.

It’s…exhilarating.

And for the first time, I think I might actually be able to do this.

I give them both a wobbly smile, unable to form words right now.

She clears her throat. “So, I don’t know about you two, but I’m wired and exhausted all at once. I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep at all tonight—not that that’s different than any other night though.” She shrugs. “I just really hope Dean isn’t asleep when I get home because celebration sex soundsreallygood right now.”

“Ugh.” Maya groans. “I’m so not jealous at all. You get to go home to Dean. Caroline gets to go home to Cooper. Me? I’m going home to…well, my kid who keeps texting me asking me when I’ll be home because he’s hungry and still can’t figure out how not to ruin mac and cheese.”

“My nephew,” River says, shaking her head. “So pitiful.”

“He got it from you,” Maya insists through a yawn. “Well, ladies, that would be my cue to get my old ass home.” She grabs her purse from the counter, slipping it over her shoulder. “Celebratory breakfast in the morning? The Gravy Train at eight?”

River pins her with a stare. “Are you going to show up at eight? Or roll in late again?”

“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Maya presses a kiss to River’s cheek. “Good job today, babe.”

“Couldn’t do it without you,” River replies as they wrap their arms around each other in a hug.

Maya rounds the counter my way, holding her arms out to me. “Come here.” She pulls me into an embrace just as fierce as the one she gave her best friend. “I’m so, so incredibly proud of you. And I want to place an official order for one of those blanket tops, okay? I look really good in blue.”

I squeeze her back, laughing. “You got it.”

She releases me, then sends us a finger wave as she disappears out the door.

“Why don’t you head out too?” River says to me. “I can finish running the numbers and then I’ll close up shop. Go home and celebrate with your man.”

“I’m fine. I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“Suit yourself.”

She shrugs, burying her face back in her books, not noticing that I’m avoiding going home.

I’m not ready to face Cooper yet, because I don’t know what I’m going to say to him.

He’s who I want to celebrate my victory today with, not just as my boyfriend, but also as my best friend.

Except I can’t.

And it reminds me all over again of what Cooper’s moms and Maya warned of, losing my boyfriendandmy best friend because we didn’t think this through.

Did we make a mistake?

“Fine. You convinced me,” she says not even five minutes later, pushing the books aside and closing them. “I’m leaving too. Besides, I’m beat. I could use a bath, a glass of good whiskey, and a slice of pie, which I know Dean totally picked up for me. I have him trained well.”

She winks, and I laugh because we both know she doesn’t have Dean trained to do anything other than throw all her sass right back at her.

“Plus, I’m sure Cooper is just dying to celebrate with you.” She bounces her brows.

I’m sure that’s the exact opposite of what Cooper’s waiting for.

As much as I avoided him today, he did the same to me.

He knows I’m upset. He knows I’m hurt.

He knows he screwed up.

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