Page 99 of Love Thy Neighbor

Maya nods. “Yeah, it’s kind of obvious. It’sbeenobvious.”

“It has?”

“For as long as we’ve known you, and you can believe me on that. I know something about repressed feelings,” River tells me with a wink. “I’ve never seen two people so attuned to one another before. Whenever you’re in a room together, it’s like nobody else matters. You drift toward one another. You look at each other with this whole other level of understanding. Like he’s your other half and you’re his.”

He is.

“I second all of that,” Maya agrees. “I actually thought you two were dating for several months before River informed me you were just friends. I didn’t believe her at first, because I just couldn’t imagine how youweren’tdating.”

Now that I’m with Cooper, I can’t imagine how it’s possible either.

“Have you told him yet?” River asks.

I shake my head. “No. I mean, we’ve said it before, but that was…you know…”

“Before.” She nods. “And that’s completely different.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about what his moms said, about how we need to be careful because there’s a lot at stake between us now.

Our history and our hearts.

Before, losing Cooper would have been awful.

Now? Losing him would be completely devastating.

And I don’t think I’d ever come back from that.

All I can do is hope he feels the same about me.

“That makes sense. I know I’d be scared as hell to fall for my best friend like that. Can you imagine if things didn’t work out? You’d lose your boyfriendandyour best friend all in one fell swoop. I mean,yikes. I—”

“Maya!” River hisses, nodding toward me in a clearOMG shut upgesture. “You aresonot helpful.”

Maya winces. “Oops.” She shoots me a weak smile. “Just ignore me. I’m—”

“Right,” I say. “I was just thinking it myself.”

She places her hand on top of mine. “Well, don’t, because it’s pointless. You’re Caroline and Cooper. Nothing is coming between you two. I just know it.”

I hope she’s right.

“Anyway, since I’ve already put you on the spot once this morning,” River says to me, “have you thought about my offer?”

Have I thought about it? Only every day since she made it.

“Any decisions?” Her hazel eyes are hopeful, and even Maya looks excited.

I hate to disappoint them, but… “Not yet.”

I have the confidence to make the designs and have been working on pieces over the past few weeks, but I lack that same courage when it comes to displaying them.

Playing pretend designer and seamstress in my bedroom is one thing.

Putting my work on display for the whole town to judge is another, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.

River’s shoulders deflate, but she recovers quickly. “Totally fine. Like I said, even if you come to me the morning of, you’re in.”

Maya bobs her head up and down vigorously. “What she said. And not to pressure you or anything, but I really hope you say yes. I’ve been wanting a top like the one you have on now since you first wore it.”