Page 38 of Love Thy Neighbor

That’s it.

Not even my dad knows I make my own clothes. He still complains every time I talk to him, saying I’m squandering my college degree by working in a “second-rate store,” as he calls it.

“I work at a popular boutique over on Second Street. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Making Waves?”

He nods. “Oh yeah. My ex-girlfriend loved that place. I’ve dropped a lot of money in there. You’re welcome.”

He laughs, and I smile politely, not really liking his joke, like he’s solely responsible for my salary or something.

But maybe I’m just being sensitive and perhaps a tad picky.

“I’m a real estate agent,” he provides. “Business around here is booming with the legalization of marijuana. All those potheads moving here in droves, and I’m the one reaping the benefits.”

Making so much money he’s ordering the cheapest beer on the menu?

He’s either cheap or full of shit.

You’re not here to fall in love, Caroline, just to get laid. He’s hot—stop nitpicking.

“What a lucky business to be in, then,” I tell him.

“Here are those drinks.” The bartender slides our order across the bar.

“Thanks,” Calvin says, handing over his credit card, chugging half his beer in one go.

I take a healthy drink of my cocktail, thirsty from being on the dance floor.

“Good?” he asks, like he’s the one who made it. “Another? The drinks are good here but tiny. Plus, I’m sure you’re warm in that outfit of yours.” He pulls his lips between his teeth, raking his eyes over my body. “Though damn is it hot on you.”

I blush. I am a little warm in my sweater dress. I didn’t think there’d be so many people here tonight when I planned the outfit, but then I don’t ever go out. How was I supposed to know?

“Sure, I’ll take another,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

He calls the bartender over again, ordering another round of our drinks.

“That’s an odd drink order,” he says when she walks away. “Haven’t heard that one before.”

“Really? You’ve never had spiced rum and root beer together? It’s so good, even better when you add a splash of Irish cream to it.”

He wrinkles his nose. “Not a big hard liquor fan. Would much rather have a good, local IPA.”

“I’m not a big beer fan.”

“You’re missing out. There are so many good local breweries you could be visiting.” He downs the rest of his first beer just as the bartender slips our second round across the bar top. “You from around here?”

“Sort of,” I tell him. “I’m originally from Florida. My best friend and I moved here for college and decided we liked it, so we stayed. We’ve been here about seven years now.”

“You chose to stay in Colorado over going back to Florida? The Sunshine State for all this craptastic weather? You’re nuts, girl.” He shakes his head. “Beautiful, but nuts.”

I lift a shoulder. “Trust me, you get tired of nothing but sunshine and hurricanes after a while. Besides, Cooper got an excellent job here right after graduation. It just made sense to stay.”

“Cooper? Your boyfriend?”

I shake my head. “No. The best friend I came here to go to college with.”

“Your best friend is a guy?”

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