Wicked Neighbor Read Free Page B

this time it looked
like she was a natural blonde.
    “No, not at
all.”
    Michael stood up, leaning over to shake Bryan’s hand.
Daniel did the same, and she watched the men exchange glances as they shook his
hands. It wasn’t just a normal handshake either. There was a challenge going on
between the two men.
    Daniel pulled away first.
    “This is Lillian,” Bryan said.
    Lillian looked like an advert for a fitness center.
    “It’s lovely to meet you, Lillian,” Daniel said. “What
do you do for a living?”
    Charlotte smiled at the newcomers while also avoiding
Bryan’s eyes. What was it about him that she struggled to look him in the eye?
    “I own a fitness center. It’s where Bryan and I first
met.” Lillian sat down before Bryan did.
    Everyone made their introductions.
    “So, you live next door to Charlotte?” Daniel asked.
    “I do.”
    “He’s on my left side,” Charlotte said, finally
looking up to see Bryan looking at her.
    She pushed some of her hair off her shoulder to try to
do something with her hands. If she’d known that Bryan was going to be here
she’d have found an excuse not to come.
    “Ah, well you’re one lucky guy.”
    If the earth could just open up and swallow her, she’d
be very happy right now.
    “I am. She’s a great neighbor.”
    Daniel was being way too attentive, and she didn’t
like it.
    Picking up the menu from in front of her, she started
to look through the items as they all talked.
    “So, Charlotte, what do you do?” Lillian asked,
dragging her back into the conversation.
    “Erm, I’m a website designer.” She wasn’t about to
tell them everything she did. The moment she talked about her covers, everyone
asked what publishers she worked for. Then she’d be asked about manuscripts and
everything else.
    “ Wow, that sounds great.”
Lillian pulled a card out of her purse. “Our fitness center needs a bit more flair, and I’ve been trying to find someone to do the work.”
    She took the card. “You’ve not seen any of my
designs.”
    “I know, but if you get your portfolio ready, I’ll be
happy to take a look.”
    “Okay, I’ll see you sometime next week.”
    Sliding the card into her purse, she excused herself
to powder her nose.
    Entering the bathroom, she turned to see Susan had
followed her.
    “I thought you said it was going to be a quaint little
affair with the four of us.” She folded her arms over her chest.
    “It was. Michael went to see Bryan the other day and
invited him.”
    “And it just slipped your mind to tell me. You know I
don’t get on well with him.” She pointed toward the door.
    “Actually, we’ve only talked about the fact we think
he’s hot. We’ve not said anything else about him.”
    “I barely talk to him when I have to.”
    “If I’d told you he was coming you’d have found some
excuse not to come. I want you here, and so does Daniel.” Susan bounced on her
feet. “Please, don’t let Bryan’s presence spoil our fun.”
    Putting her palm to her forehead, Charlotte glared at
her friend. “You’re not being fair.”
    “You’re here, and Lillian seems nice. Please, give it
a chance.”
    “Fine, but you owe me, and I’m talking more than
pumpkin rolls.”
    Susan put her hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine, I’ll
do whatever it takes to make it up to you.”
    Blowing out a breath, she nodded. “We better go back.”
    ****
    Bryan smirked as he watched Susan follow Charlotte.
    “That’s your mousy little neighbor?” Lillian asked in
a lowered voice. Michael and Daniel were talking to each other. He didn’t like
the way Daniel was looking toward Charlotte.
    “That’s her.”
    “She looks so tasty. I’d love to have her underneath
me.”
    Lillian was his bisexual friend. They’d shared many
women together, but he didn’t like the possessive feeling that came over him.
“Charlotte’s not like that.”
    “No? I think that woman would surprise you. Something
is locked up tight inside her. I’d love to