But He's My Grumpy Neighbor (But He's a Carter Brother #1)

by Annah Conwell

was burned one too many times during my stint in the CIA.

cia??? oh?

He’s gorgeous, dresses like the men on my fantasy life Pinterest boards, has antique furniture, and likes tea. If he wasn’t so ornery, I’d think he was my future husband.

I bite back a smile at her rambling story. Usually I find people who talk this much to be overbearing, but Juliette is different. She makes oversharing … endearing.

I take off again, wishing that I could outrun the image of Juliette warm and soft under a blanket. The kind of image that makes me want to join her there on the bench instead of what I need to do which is stay far, far away.

These videos convince me that I’m the type of girl who is going to wake up before sunrise, work out, drink green juice with a smile on my face, and write in my planner everything I want to do that day … then do all of those things. So, I’ve decided to be that girl today, and in the dim morning light, I am already regretting my decision.

“He’d have to do a lot more than that to get you to leave him alone. You’re practically in love with him.” I gasp. “I am not. I think he’s cute.” “I believe your exact words after seeing him shirtless were: I want to marry him and have his perfect babies.”

“Juliette,” Adrian says my name, but his icy gaze doesn’t leave Kyle. “Do you want this man to contact you again?” “No,” I whisper and Kyle turns his head to glare at me. Adrian presses him into the wall harder in response. “Then it’s settled. You’re going to leave without so much as a glance at her, or you’ll have to deal with me.”

When I saw that scumbag grab her arm I almost blacked out I was so furious. It took all the self-control in my body not to rearrange his pathetic face.

No, seeing her that way was like a hand around my throat. I couldn’t breathe until I made sure she was safe.

“When you marry her, can I be the best man at your wedding? I think I should get to since I’m your twin.” I narrow my eyes at him. Maverick and Levi both laugh at us. “I’m not marrying Juliette.” Grayson’s faux innocent look fades into a smirk. “We’ll see.”

I push the book to the side and pull out my phone to scroll through Pinterest.

After our time in the café on Saturday, I’ve been counting down until I got to see her again. And whenever I found myself looking at the time on my phone or wishing hours would move faster, I’d tell myself to stop, but it didn’t work.

“Running is like dying but without the relief of death.” Her words come out stilted in between short, panting breaths.

“Your mind was quiet during that whole time?” “Pretty much. Yours wasn’t?” “I don’t even know what that would feel like.”

“I was on my way to see you, actually.” My eyes widen in surprise when he gives me his signature half-smile. “I got you a croissant.”

funny way to propose, but yes!!!

“New rule: don’t apologize so much. It’s okay to be nervous.” “Sorry,” I say again and then cringe.

REAL

But thinking about controlling my anxiety only serves to make me more anxious.

Adrian cuts me off, rubbing circles on the inside of my wrists. “Shhh it’s okay, I shouldn’t have gone with that one. Too quiet here. Name five things you can feel.”

I open my door and all of the air is sucked out of my body–along with any common sense. Juliette is stunning.

I was tempted to draw her into my lap and kiss her until she forgot about any ridiculous singles’ event.

“Wow, you must really care about her.” I do, too much. “She’s my friend.” “I hear friendship makes a great foundation for marriage.”

but my protective instincts win out. I tug her into my arms and rub her back over the soft velvet of her dress. She immediately wraps her arms around my waist and I feel the tension slowly dissipate from her body. My chest warms with the knowledge that my touch did that.

Ten years from now when I can’t sleep, I’m going to remember this moment in vivid detail and replay it over and over again until I’m nauseous.”

Then, Adrian opens the passenger door for me,

No matter how gruff he is, his default seems to be caretaking.

“I care about what you think, Juliette. The list of people who get to have opinions on my life is admittedly short, but you’re on it.”

I’ve never been one for music, but her giggle might just be my new favorite song.

I’m wearing an oversized sweater and leggings, but he makes me feel like I’m on a red carpet.

Because living without Juliette just isn’t an option, it’s no more possible than surviving without the sun or oxygen. As terrifying as it is to admit, I need her. I just have to hope she needs–or at least wants–me too.

I wasn’t mad before, but now I am. Not at Juliette though, but at whoever made her feel as though she needed to apologize for being hurt. I’d like to use every bit of my training to hunt them down and ensure they won’t hurt her or anyone else ever again, however unethical that may be. The sight of Juliette curling up in my car is enough to make me see red.

“Please don’t ever hold back or change yourself around me. You’re incredible, Jules. You’re like a sunflower, always growing toward the light. You make everyone around you want to be better, including me–especially me. I’m sorry your parents didn’t love you the way they should have. You deserve better. If someone isn’t giving you what you deserve–even me–you don’t have to settle for less, okay?”

Before I can overthink it, I press a soft kiss to her forehead and whisper, “Good girl.”

“I’m sorry,” I choke out, swiping tears away. “I-I’m just a little overwhelmed that they would do all this for me.” “Why wouldn’t we? You’re a part of the family,”

Each time I’ve had to wake her today I’ve been struck by her beauty as if I’m seeing it for the first time.

“Thanks, Sunshine, you’re the best.” “Like I said before, anything for you.”

So I’m sure her being gone–even during work hours–is making him anxious. I think their attachment is cute. I hope one day I have a man who’s that obsessed with me.

should have kissed you on your porch. Actually, I should have kissed you long before that.

I’ve come to accept the fact that while I can’t be who you deserve, neither can any other man. So, I’m asking for permission to fail you.

I need you, Jules. Watching you walk away was a pain I’ve never known. I’m determined not to experience it ever again.

“It’s because of you, Jules. You’re worth holding onto.”

“Then take your time. I’ll be here showing you your worth every day, until you see it too.”

“Don’t hide from me, Jules,” he murmurs, leaning down to brush his lips against mine. “You’re much too pretty when you blush.”

“Good morning, beautiful,” I say and dip down to press a kiss to her pink lips.

“I prefer a brooding Mr. Darcy over the amiable Mr. Bingleys of the world.”

“Darcy had a soft heart all along, if you recall. So I’m not changing you, just exposing what’s already here.” “Whatever you want to call it, it’s all for you.”

“Jules, you said you’d stay here all night for me, well I’m telling you I’d leave for you. Because I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whisper and the smile that breaks out across his face is so beautiful it hurts.

“You should know by now I’d go to great lengths to give you everything you deserve. If you said you wanted a star out of the sky I’d start building a rocket.”

The man who called me worthy when I didn’t feel it. The one I’ll spend the rest of my days with. My future husband, Adrian Carter.