Read Online Neighbor Dearest by Penelope Ward - Free Book Online
Authors: Penelope Ward
Tags: Romance
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had blond hair and blue eyes and quite frankly, looked like the brother I never had. Brian was sweet and self-deprecating and everything a girl should want on paper.
In our corner couch at the Starbucks on Powell Street, I sipped my latte as we carried on a comfortable conversation amidst the sounds of frothing milk and grinding coffee beans. I pretended to be truly interested in what he was saying, even though thoughts of Damien were ever-present, clouding my head when I should have been giving this sweet man in front of me all of my attention.
I couldn’t help thinking about the fake coffee date that was supposed to be here with Online Damien. Then, I’d quickly remind myself of the conversation we’d had this morning, and it would snap me back to reality. The past twenty-four hours had been like an awkward dream.
As we got up after a full two hours of sitting, Brian took my cup to throw it away. “I’d love to give you a ride home.”
“Sure,” I said without thinking.
Damien would’ve told me that was a bad idea. But he didn’t really have a say. Anyway, I was pretty sure Brian was harmless.
When we made it to my neighborhood, Brian parked a block down from my place. He came around to let me out of the passenger side before walking me toward the building. I didn’t want to invite him upstairs, so I intentionally stopped in the courtyard.
Before I even had a chance to say goodnight, a massive amount of light lit up the night sky. Both blinking, Brian and I looked around at what seemed like stadium lighting that illuminated the courtyard as if we were in the middle of a Friday night football game.
What was going on?
When I looked up, Damien was staring down at us from his second floor window. His arms were crossed. Then, he casually moved out of the way when he saw me glaring up at him.
“What’s up with the lights?” Brian asked.
“My landlord is a little bit cuckoo. He must have installed them to fend off burglars.”
“Are they on a sensor or something?”
“Something like that,” I said, knowing full well Damien was controlling this.
“Can I take you out again? Maybe dinner instead of coffee?”
“Sure. That would be nice.”
“I’ll call you soon, then.” Brian leaned in and gave me a peck on the cheek. He stood in the courtyard watching until I was safely inside.
My first instinct was to storm over to Damien’s and demand he tell me why he turned on those lights at the exact moment I’d shown up with Brian. Then, I realized that was probably the reaction he expected from me. After the conversation this morning, I needed to take a step back, have some pride, and just let things be.
Settling into my couch, I tried to focus my mind on a magazine. Mindlessly flipping through the pages, I was bored. It was just past eight, and the night was young.
A few minutes later, I could hear music coming from next door.
Damien suddenly blasted the volume. It took a bit to realize the song was, Two Is Better Than One.
My phone chimed.
Damien: Hear that? They wrote a song about you and your ménage fantasies.
Chelsea: Don’t you have anything better to do on a Friday night?
Damien: How was the date?
Chelsea: He was nice. How was yours?
Damien: I didn’t have one.
Chelsea: Too busy spying on mine? Seriously, what was with the lights?
Damien: I had them installed a while back when some kids were fucking with my mural. I can control them from here.
Chelsea: That was really intrusive.
Damien: Just looking out for you.
Chelsea: By nearly blinding me?
Damien: LOL. Did you get his full name? I can do the background check.
Chelsea: I do have his name, but he’s harmless. Trust me.
Damien: You shouldn’t have let him know where you live so soon.
Chelsea: I knew you’d say that.
Damien: Then why did you do it?
Chelsea: It’s fine.
Damien: Are you seeing him again?
Chelsea: Probably.
Damien: I’m checking
In our corner couch at the Starbucks on Powell Street, I sipped my latte as we carried on a comfortable conversation amidst the sounds of frothing milk and grinding coffee beans. I pretended to be truly interested in what he was saying, even though thoughts of Damien were ever-present, clouding my head when I should have been giving this sweet man in front of me all of my attention.
I couldn’t help thinking about the fake coffee date that was supposed to be here with Online Damien. Then, I’d quickly remind myself of the conversation we’d had this morning, and it would snap me back to reality. The past twenty-four hours had been like an awkward dream.
As we got up after a full two hours of sitting, Brian took my cup to throw it away. “I’d love to give you a ride home.”
“Sure,” I said without thinking.
Damien would’ve told me that was a bad idea. But he didn’t really have a say. Anyway, I was pretty sure Brian was harmless.
When we made it to my neighborhood, Brian parked a block down from my place. He came around to let me out of the passenger side before walking me toward the building. I didn’t want to invite him upstairs, so I intentionally stopped in the courtyard.
Before I even had a chance to say goodnight, a massive amount of light lit up the night sky. Both blinking, Brian and I looked around at what seemed like stadium lighting that illuminated the courtyard as if we were in the middle of a Friday night football game.
What was going on?
When I looked up, Damien was staring down at us from his second floor window. His arms were crossed. Then, he casually moved out of the way when he saw me glaring up at him.
“What’s up with the lights?” Brian asked.
“My landlord is a little bit cuckoo. He must have installed them to fend off burglars.”
“Are they on a sensor or something?”
“Something like that,” I said, knowing full well Damien was controlling this.
“Can I take you out again? Maybe dinner instead of coffee?”
“Sure. That would be nice.”
“I’ll call you soon, then.” Brian leaned in and gave me a peck on the cheek. He stood in the courtyard watching until I was safely inside.
My first instinct was to storm over to Damien’s and demand he tell me why he turned on those lights at the exact moment I’d shown up with Brian. Then, I realized that was probably the reaction he expected from me. After the conversation this morning, I needed to take a step back, have some pride, and just let things be.
Settling into my couch, I tried to focus my mind on a magazine. Mindlessly flipping through the pages, I was bored. It was just past eight, and the night was young.
A few minutes later, I could hear music coming from next door.
Damien suddenly blasted the volume. It took a bit to realize the song was, Two Is Better Than One.
My phone chimed.
Damien: Hear that? They wrote a song about you and your ménage fantasies.
Chelsea: Don’t you have anything better to do on a Friday night?
Damien: How was the date?
Chelsea: He was nice. How was yours?
Damien: I didn’t have one.
Chelsea: Too busy spying on mine? Seriously, what was with the lights?
Damien: I had them installed a while back when some kids were fucking with my mural. I can control them from here.
Chelsea: That was really intrusive.
Damien: Just looking out for you.
Chelsea: By nearly blinding me?
Damien: LOL. Did you get his full name? I can do the background check.
Chelsea: I do have his name, but he’s harmless. Trust me.
Damien: You shouldn’t have let him know where you live so soon.
Chelsea: I knew you’d say that.
Damien: Then why did you do it?
Chelsea: It’s fine.
Damien: Are you seeing him again?
Chelsea: Probably.
Damien: I’m checking
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