Page 27 of Love Thy Neighbor

Cooper nods, shoveling a bite of his breakfast into his mouth, chewing, swallowing. “Exactly. I mean, come on, how often when you meet someone do you know straight away it’s just not going to work?”

“Often,” Dean says, seeing his point.

“Yep. But just because I don’t want to date someone doesn’t mean I can’t spend an hour or two between the sheets with them.” Cooper grins wolfishly. “You know, just to be sure.”

“So you two are going out on the prowl tonight? You’re going to, what, teach our shy girl here how to be like you?” River asks.

“Yes,” I answer. “And you two are more than welcome to come. Actually, I strongly encourage it. I really don’t want to hang out with Cooper’s douchey co-workers all night long.”

River frowns. “Wish I could say yes, but we have plans tonight. Dean’s sister, Holland, is coming into town and we’re meeting her for dinner. Then I have some store stuff to catch up on and Dean has papers to grade.”

“Ugh.” Dean groans, tossing his head back. “Please don’t remind me. If I have to read one more book report on Harry Potter, I’m going to scream.”

Dean’s an English teacher, and I have to give him major props for it. It takes a lot of love and patience to be able to do it. I should know—I failed at it spectacularly.

“Dude, I’m not a big reader and evenIlove Harry Potter.”

Dean shakes his head at Cooper. “It’s not that. Harry Potter is great, a fucking classic. But how is it seriouslyevery single student’sfavorite book? There’s no way. Plus, it would help if they didn’t write their report on the movie version instead of the book. It’s painfully obvious they didn’t read it and just watched the film.”

“The book is always better,” I interject, wiping at my mouth with my napkin.

“That’s why you’re my favorite, Caroline.” Dean holds out his fist, and I bump it.

“Okay, now that you two are done bonding over your mutual book-nerd tendencies, I have to get to work.” River pushes her chair back from the table and stands. “I wanted to go over the books before we open.”

“Which means I need to get to work too.”

I take one last bite of my waffle and shove my plate toward the center of the table. I chug the rest of my water, then rise from my chair.

“Don’t you dare let her work late and bail on our thing tonight,” Cooper says, pointing to River.

“Please. If anyone is going to be dragged out of that place kicking and screaming, it’ll be me. I’m married to my work.”

“Which means I never have to propose.” Dean pumps the air with his fist.

“You’re so annoying.” River shakes her head, rounding the table toward him. “But I love you anyway.”

She places a kiss on his lips.

I force myself to hold back my sigh.

These are the small moments I want, the ones that are second nature to couples.

The breakfast dates in the morning. Dinner dates at night. The goodbye kisses. The way they look at each other with love when it’s clear they’re annoyed with one another.

“Hey, where’s my goodbye kiss?” Cooper teases her.

“Right here on my ass waiting for you.”

Dean laughs, then smacks said ass.

“Come on, Caroline. Let’s go before I strangle your best friend this morning.”

She wraps her arm around my shoulder, leading me away from the table, and I wave to the guys. Cooper holds his fingers up.

Eight.

That’s when he wants to head to the bar.

---