Page 56 of Love Thy Neighbor

“He’s not my man,” I argue. “We’re just friends.”

Another glance exchanged.

River lifts a brow, hiding a grin behind her to-go coffee cup. “Whatever you say, babe. Whatever you say. Now, let’s get back to the event next month.”

We finish up the business talk and head to our respective duties in the shop, Maya to the inventory in the storeroom and River to the back office. I make sure the storefront is in tiptop shape, flip the open sign on, and take my spot behind the register.

When there’s a slow stretch in the afternoon, I check my phone.

Cooper:Momma B called. She’s putting together a care package this weekend. You want anything special?

Me:Oh! Tell her I want some of those double chocolate brownies she makes. It’s been way too long since I’ve had some and I’m craving chocolate.

Cooper:What’d I tell you about talking about your period with me? That’s a hard line in our friendship.

Me:OMG. I bleed from my vagina. Get over it.

Me:Also, I’m not even on my period, so you’re the one who brought it up, not me.

Cooper:Whatever.

Cooper:Anything else you want?

Cooper:Also, why didn’t she just text you? Why do I always have to be the middleman?

Me:Why do you say that like you’re some drug dealer?

Cooper:Because her baked goods are like drugs. Proof: Neither of us are even sugar fiends and we love them.

Me:I swear she puts cocaine in her brownies…

Cooper:That’s powdered sugar. We’ve been over this.

Cooper:Don’t roll your eyes at me, Caroline.

Me:Don’t boss me around, Cooper.

Cooper:You love it when I boss you around.

Me:I also love it when you stop talking.

Cooper:Sorry. Can’t hear you.

Me:We’re texting. You don’t need to hear me.

Cooper:Damn this bad connection.

What a nerd.

I roll my eyes at him. He always uses the “bad connection” excuse to get off the phone.

“What has you smiling? Oh, is it one of those alien comics where they talk all proper and it’s so awkward it’s hilarious?”

“Huh?” I glance up from my phone. “No. It was Cooper.”

River smiles knowingly, and I have the urge to roll my eyes at her too, because she’s reading way too much into it when I’m sitting here thinking how nice it is to text like things are normal between us.

“Anyway,” she says, resting her arms against the counter. “I wanted to talk to you about something…”

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