Page 53 of Love Thy Neighbor

Can Istillfeel my lips tingling? Still feel his mouth ghosting up my leg? Double yes.

Do I wish I would have had the courage to tell Cooper to keep going instead of to stop?Yes.

“No, I didn’t get laid.” I take a sip from my coffee. “But I do have a date tonight.”

Despite Cooper’s warning that it won’t work and it’s not a smart idea, I haven’t canceled my date with Jason. We’re supposed to meet for drinks tonight at nine.

There’s a nagging feeling in my gut telling me not to go, but I want to do everything I can to put what happened with Cooper out of my mind and move on.

Going out with Jason would be moving on.

I should go…right?

“With whom?”

“Remember a few months ago when I told you about that guy I kept running into at the bookstore?” They both nod. “It’s him. We happened upon one another the other day and he finally asked.”

“Oh,” River says.

They exchange a look but don’t say anything.

I have a best friend. I knowexactlywhat that look means.

“What?” I ask.

“It’s nothing,” Maya says with a shrug.

I lift a brow at her.

She sighs. “It’s just…well…we thought—”

“That you and Cooper were going to get together,” River finishes for her.

Now it’s my turn to sigh.

“Guys…” I draw the word out. “Cooper and I…”

“Are perfect for each other,” Maya supplies, her best friend bobbing her head in agreement. “Everyone knows the best couples start out as friends.”

“Or enemies,” River interjects.

“Please.” Maya rolls her alluring gray eyes. “You and Dean were never enemies, just idiots who wanted to bump uglies and were too chicken to say so.” She turns her attention to me. “You do have feelings for him, don’t you?”

“No!”

It comes out quickly.

Tooquickly.

They exchange another glance.

I huff. “I mean, I don’t know. Ididn’t. Not until…”

“Until what?” River prompts. “Did something happen? Other than you seeing him naked, I mean.”

I nod and hate that my cheeks heat at the thought of seeing Cooper naked.

Hate that the ache that’s seemed to assume a permanent place between my thighs pulses to let me know it’s still there.

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