Page 37 of Love Thy Neighbor

I now understandhow Cooper felt last night when I got a full look at him in the hallway.

Sure, I might not have been naked in front of him earlier, but I felt completely bare.

The way his eyes lingered on me when I walked out of my bedroom in my new design has been burned into my skin all night long.

Even now, dancing with this incredibly hot guy who has made me laugh with his silly pickup line, I can feel it still.

It feels like he etched his name into my flesh and marked me for life.

Calvin, my dance partner, points toward the bar.

I nod, needing another drink to help keep my mind clear of Cooper and his stare.

He clasps my hand in his and pulls me through the crowd.

I try hard not to think about how his hand feels compared to Cooper’s. They’re not the same, that’s for sure.

Ugh. Stop thinking about him.

We squeeze into a spot at the bar, and he motions for the bartender.

A beautiful blonde with boobs that’d make any girl jealous saunters up to us.

“What can I get for you two?”

“Whatever bottle you have on special,” he tells her before looking at me expectantly.

It takes me a second to realize why he’s staring at me.

He wants my drink order.

It’s weird. I can’t remember the last time I had to tell someone what I want. Cooper always knows exactly what to order me.

“My treat,” he pushes.

I don’t tell him I already have a tab here. Who doesn’t like free drinks?

“A spiced rum and root beer, please,” I say to the bartender.

She tilts her head, studying me with pursed lips.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

I don’t have a second to think about it as Calvin dances his fingers along my arm, drawing my attention.

“So,” he says, grinning down at me, “what’s your thing?”

I scrunch my brows together. “My thing?”

“Yeah, like what do you do?”

“For an occupation?”

“Sure. Or a hobby.”

I don’t share my hobby with anyone. In fact, the only people who know I design are Cooper, River, and our other business partner, Maya.

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