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

by Annah Conwell

The only reason I come to these events is because it gives me a form of entertainment besides reading, plus the chance to be around people. Adrian shifts beside me, his arm splayed awkwardly on the wooden end of the pew. It looks as if it was meant to be an armrest, but it’s got this odd curve that doesn’t make for a nice resting place. “You can relax, I don’t bite,” I whisper, leaning toward him. There’s ample space between us that he seems determined to keep. He looks down at me, something glittering in his blue eyes. I can imagine him in another life leaning down and whispering but I do. The thought sends a tingle down my spine–but doesn’t come to fruition. “They should vote for new pews,” he mutters and shifts once more. This time, he lets the arm closest to me rest on the back of the pew, then sets his left ankle on his right knee. He looks like he belongs on the cover of a magazine, or in a board room commanding people. I know I’d listen to him. “We only vote on pointless matters,” I whisper back and the corner of his mouth quirks up. On the outside, I’m smiling softly, but on the inside, I’m doing an awful winner’s dance. There are lots of hip shaking and flailing arms, maybe even a sprinkler move or two. Because seeing Adrian even come close to smiling at something I said feels worthy of celebration. The sound of Henry’s gavel rapping the podium drags my attention back to the subject at hand. “All in favor of capturing the ducks and relocating them say aye.” “Aye!”...