and let out a yelp of surprise. My eyes slam shut, and I inhale deep, stabilizing breaths, trying to pull myself together. If Rome wasn’t sure I saw something before today, with the way I’m acting, he’s sure of it now.
Pull it together, damnit! I chide myself.
Eventually, when I answer, cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment, I try to keep my face as neutral as possible, while looking up at him innocently. He’s still staring at me like I’m certifiable. Rightfully so.
“Yes?” I croak, raising a single brow.
If possible, that frown deepens, and his eyes narrow even farther. “Just wanted to tell you I can finish up little by little this week. That way, it won’t take me too long this weekend.”
“Right, okay. Busy this weekend? Do you have plans?”
He pauses, his head cocking to the side the slightest bit, as he regards me. “And if I did?” he counters.
I open my mouth, then snap it shut, because what’s it to me?
“You sure you’re just not planning your next stupid prank on me?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Vinegar, really?” I cross my arms with attitude. “That’s low even for you.”
“Hate to put a damper on your date.” The way he says the word date with such disgust has me standing straighter. I narrow my gaze, drilling holes into him with my eyes.
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” I ask, stepping into him. His face pinches.
“Who, me? Why on earth would I think that?”
The underlying humor in his tone has me gritting my teeth. “I’m going to get you back. You’ll see.”
He chuckles darkly. “We’ll see about that.”
“I don’t understand how half this neighborhood has put up with you for as long as they have. You’re the most frustrating person on the planet.”
“They like me a whole hell of a lot better than they like you.”
My gut tightens with unease. I mean, I knew the neighborhood’s reception of me hasn’t been great, but hell, I thought it was much better than that. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Everyone here likes me. I baked cakes.”
Rome tosses his head back and laughs at me. “You think baking random people cakes will make them like you, sweetheart? Try again.”
“I’m positive there’s a special place for you in hell.”
He casts a cold smirk my way. “Next to you, I hope.”
My gaze narrows. His words should have the opposite effect on me, but instead, something light and woeful fills my chest. Those stupid hummingbirds go back to flapping their wings recklessly, making me feel like a bright-eyed idiot.
“Just worry about yourself, Roman, because the next time I see you, you’re going to wish you’d accepted my offer to end this feud between us.”
“Doubtful,” he tosses over his shoulder, offhandedly, heading back to his house. “Better watch out, though. I’m not the only one in our neighborhood who can’t stand you.”
I grit my back teeth together so hard, my jaw aches from the pressure. Does the bastard always have to get in the last word?
Also, the divorcees in the neighborhood, who hate me because I moved in next to him, should not count it against me. If anything, I’m doing them a favor here, taking the weight of having an asshole like him, as a neighbor, on my shoulders.
“I hate you,” I hiss, trailing him. He whirls on me, and there, on my front lawn, we have a standoff of sorts. I step so close to him that my front grazes his.
He smirks down at me. “The feeling is entirely mutual, sweetheart. Now, you gonna quit being a baby and invite me in, so I can finish, or are you that stubborn?”
I ignore his raised brow and the way he’s challenging me. With a disgruntled huff, I whirl around, heading back into my house.
“Hurry up, asshole.”
I glare daggers at him the entire time he works. It’s easier like this, letting my animosity drive me. Don’t get me wrong. The lust is still there, simmering just at the surface, but my hate? My anger? That’s what I feel in spades. That’s what I decide to focus on. Because if I don’t, I’m positive I’ll find myself head over heels in love with the dickhead next door. And I refuse to let that happen.
If love is off-limits, I’ll spend my days and nights, hating the asshole next door.
For the rest of the evening, as he finishes working in my bathroom, I try to ignore him and pretend he’s not there. The task isn’t easy. Especially when he