Page 36 of Love Thy Neighbor

There’s a redhead toward the end of the bar, her fingers playing with the straw in her drink as she stares out at the crowd.

She’s hot, her bright yellow top making her hair stand out, and I can see a bit of ink poking out on her back where shirt and jeans don’t quite meet.

Well, hello there.

I grab my drink from Shayla and take a step toward her. I don’t make it a whole foot before a girl slides up next to her, placing a kiss on her cheek. They embrace, then start making out hardcore in the middle of the bar.

Aaand never mind.

I return to my perch, moving on through the crowd.

Too available. Too not available.

Too drunk. Too loud. Crying.

Nobody is standing out…until red catches my gaze.

Caroline.

Color me fucking shocked.

She’s out on the dance floor…and she’s not alone.

There’s a guy with his hand on her waist in a way that seems proper but somehow feels way too fucking intimate all at the same time.

He dips his head toward her and says something in her ear, and she tosses her head back, laughing at whatever he says.

A surge of anger rushes through me seeing her laugh like that.

I hate myself for it instantly.

I don’t understand what my problem is. She’s my best friend. That’s it.

I do not and never have harbored feelings for her, because that one week during the summer between our freshman and sophomore year of high school doesn’t count.

Am I really going to let one absurd and not-likely-to-ever-happen-again incident like her seeing me naked change our entire friendship?

No.

That’d be dumb.

But…I did like the way she looked at me.

And I can’t stop thinking about how much I want her to look at me like that again.

Not just some girl either.

Her.

I want my best friend to look at me like she wants me.

Because…fuck me.

I think I want her.

6

Caroline

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