Lovely Neighbor by Alexa Riley Page 0,6

out last night. I’m going to have to buy a hundred bottles of the stuff because I can’t get enough of it.

Once I shave and put my suit on, I grab my phone and meet my sister in the kitchen. She’s finishing what looks like a sandwich and talks to me with her mouth full.

“You ready?” I think she says, and I nod.

“You engaged?” I ask. She pauses with her dish halfway in the sink and then shrugs as she finishes chewing. “Couldn’t find the perfect moment?” She shrugs again even though she’s swallowed the food in her mouth. “You’ll get there.”

I don’t want to push her too much on the subject. I know she loves Danielle and she wants to be with her forever. Renee just second-guesses every decision in her life.

She made more coffee for me so I can fill up my cup again with much-needed caffeine. When I’m pouring the coffee, something orange catches the corner of my eye and I look over to see a hair tie lying on the counter next to the refrigerator. Renee has a short pixie cut so there’s no way it’s hers. Shit, did the cleaning crew leave this behind too?

“Let’s go,” Renee says as she dries her hands.

Without another thought about it, I grab my keys off the table and we walk out into the hallway. Just as I close the door, my neighbor comes out at the same time.

“Hi, Mrs. Betty,” Renee says brightly and Betty beams at the two of us.

She’s got on a lime green jumpsuit with white sunglasses Elton John would be jealous of. “Well, hello to you too. Getting a late start to the day?” she says, looking at my coffee cup.

“Jet lag is awful.” I smile at her as I push the elevator button. “Where are you off to?”

“I’ve got a salsa class I’m late for, and then I’m having margaritas at the pier with some girlfriends.”

“I’m so jealous right now,” Renee groans, and I can’t say I disagree.

“You both are too young to be working so hard.” She tips down her glasses and gives me a pointed look. “Speaking of working hard, did you get my note?”

Shit, I forgot to read it, but I don’t want to be rude. “Yes, and thanks again for looking after things for me while I was gone.”

“Great, I'm glad it wasn’t a problem.” She puts her glasses back in place and smiles. “I’m hoping one day you two can meet.”

I curse myself again for not reading the note, but I don’t have time to go look right now. I’ll have to check it when I get home, and that’s going to be late tonight.

“Me too,” I say as I get on the elevator and we ride down together.

As much as I’d love to know what she’s talking about, I’ve got far too much else to focus on with work.

Chapter Five

Erin

“Get a dog, they said. It will be fun, they said.” Moose lies in the middle of the sidewalk, not moving. “You’re making this adoption thing really easy on me.” I put my hand on my hip, glaring down at him and trying to show authority, but all he does is flop his tongue out in the most adorably annoying way.

“I’m sorry. That was mean.” I drop down onto my knees in the middle of the sidewalk and people have to walk around us. I hear some of their choked laughter and I can’t help but chuckle myself. “We both know I’m going to keep you.”

I got to take Moose for a trial visit to see if we were compatible. I’d gone to the animal shelter looking for a mean fierce dog, but now I have a giant fluff ball who might weigh more than me. He also hates walks, so we have a lot in common.

“You gotta get up.” He rolls over onto his back and I scratch his belly. “You’re supposed to be my fierce guard dog.” He rolls back over, finally getting up onto all fours, then licks me right across my face. “Well, then. I was going to see if Jenna could make you one of those puppuccino drinks everyone has been talking about, but I’ve changed my mind.” He gives me another lick, calling my bluff.

“Then let's go.” I push up off the ground, wiping my knees off. “You gonna walk now?” I step aside, giving him plenty of space, and he actually gets up. I had no idea some dogs hate walks—Moose