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

by Annah Conwell

Deeming the area neighbor-free, I jog down my wooden porch steps and out to the path that winds around the lake. I run harder than usual, chasing the burn. After one lap of practically sprinting, my lungs are aching from inhaling the frigid air, but my mind is no better off than it was when I set out. I slow to a gentle jog, letting my eyes bounce around the lake. A family of ducks paddles across the water, making me think of Juliette. I pass a couple sharing a croissant, my mind drawn once more to Juliette. Growling, I pick up my pace again. No matter how much I push my body though, Juliette’s laugh won’t leave my brain. In fact, I think she’s made me delusional because I swear I hear it over the whipping wind. It’s only when I see her golden hair in the distance that I realize I’m not delusional, just incapable of escaping her. It seems I’d have to move to be rid of her. She waves at me from her place on the metal bench by the lake. A large blanket is draped over her legs, thankfully hiding them from view. Murphy trots around, occasionally stopping to paw at the wet sand close to the lake. “Are you stalking me, Adrian?” she teases as I slow to a stop next to the bench. My breathing is still ragged from my sprint, making me have to lift my hands up to my head. Cool air nips at the skin above my waistband. I don’t miss the way her eyes rake over me, pausing at that exposed skin for a second too long before bouncing back up to my face. My blood heats and I drop my arms, sho...