Page 116 of Love Thy Neighbor

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Would you be this upset with him if you were still just friends?”

“Absolutely. The Cooper I’ve known for ten years never would have done what he did. Sure, he’s always been bossy and a little pushy when it comes to breaking me out of my shell or whatever you want to call it, but he’s never blatantly lied to me and gone behind my back. He’s never made me feel betrayed before.” I sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being dramatic about all of this. Maybe Cooper was right to do what he did.”

“Um, no. You’re not being dramatic,” she insists. “I mean, it does probably hurt a little more now because you’re in love with him, but that wasyourdecision to sort through and you were clear about what you wanted. So, good intentions or not, he should have respected that, and he didn’t. That’s not okay. It’s deceitful and you have every right to be pissed about it. I know I’d be big mad myself if Dean tried to pull some shit like that. I’d castrate him.”

A grin pulls at my lips.

Poor Dean.

“I get where you’re coming from. This place”—she waves her hand around the boutique—“is my passion. Designing is yours. You don’t fuck with someone’s passion.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you understand.”

“I do.”

I tilt my head, eyeing her. “Why do I feel like you’re about to saybut?”

“I’m not. Nobut.” She clears her throat. “However, I do think you need to talk to him and tell him where you’re at with this. Talk it out. Because trust me, communication is key in a relationship. It makes all the difference.”

Be open. Communicate more now than you ever have. It’ll save a world of hurt because there are things at stake now that weren’t before.

Momma B’s words filter through my mind.

She’s right, and so is River.

“Oh! Idea!” River says, clapping her hands together. “Since you’re hating on the day-drinking in the office, how about we go out tonight? You, me, and Maya. Let’s have some drinks, talk. Maybe dance. Maybe getting out of your apartment for something other than work will help. Clear your mind and all.”

“I don’t know…”

“Come on,” she urges. “It’ll be fun. Wenevergo out.”

This is true. Mostly because I’d rather be at home.

Except for maybe tonight.

I do need to talk to Cooper…

But perhaps a few drinks will help me clear my mind.

Tomorrow. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.

“Okay. I’m in.”

* * *

Of course thisis the place she’d pick to go drinking at.

I stare at the door of Lorde’s, the bar where Cooper first kissed me, afraid to step inside because I know all I’m going to do all night is think about him when that’s just what I’m tryingnotto do.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her there’s no way in hell I’m going inside, but Maya looks like she needs a drink just as much as I do, and this night doesn’t need to be all about my woes.

“Oh, thank god!” she cries. “We’re here. I need a drinkpronto.”

“I think we all do,” River agrees. “Also, I heard this place does karaoke on Fridays. Think we’ll get drunk enough to try it?”

---