Page 82 of Love Thy Neighbor

“No you don’t! And don’t roll your eyes at me!”

She groans loudly, and I smirk.

An hour later, she crawls back into my bed, and all my dirty fantasies come to life.

12

Caroline

“I’m starving.”

“Hi, starving, I’m Caroline.”

“Wow. I cannot believe I’m actually dating you.” He squeezes my leg that’s stretched out over his lap, massaging my calf. “You must be really good in the sack.”

I twist my face up, peeking at him over the edge of my sketchpad, which I’ve been drawing in for the last hour. “Can you not saygood in the sack? It sounds…gross.”

“Fine. You must be really good at slobbing on the knob.”

“Okay, that’s way worse.”

He laughs, moving his hands to my right foot. He nods toward the book in my hands. “What are you working on over there? Stuff for River and the festival?”

Yes.“No.”

“You’re lying.”

“I am not.”

He shakes his head. “Please. I always know when you’re lying. Iknowyou.”

Dammit.I know he’s right.

“It’s nothing,” I tell him, turning my attention back to my drawing. “Just a few new designs.”

“For the festival?” he asks again.

“I’m…not sure yet.”

He switches his ministrations to the other foot. “I think you should say yes.”

“So you’ve said.”

“And I can tell youwantto say yes.”

He’s right. Idowant to say yes. But I’m still so…scared.

Part of me wants to just push all my fears aside and run right into this opportunity. Then I watch River doing everything she can to make this event perfect and looking at me with such hope in her eyes.

And it makes me worried I’ll fail and disappoint her.

Your silly hobby isn’t going to pay your bills. You need a real career.

I hear my dad’s voice for the millionth time.

The fear eats at me, springing right back front and center, crippling me once again.

I lay my sketchpad against my chest so he can see I’m serious. “I’ve told you already, Cooper—I’m not ready, okay?”

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