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

by Annah Conwell

“That was a fairly short meeting,” Adrian comments, surprising me with small talk. I half-expected to blink and him to disappear before my eyes as soon as the meeting was over. “Count yourself lucky,” I say as I grab my caramel-colored coat and shrug it on. “The previous meeting lasted two hours.” Adrian steps out into the aisle and waits for me to walk with him. It’s hard to keep my smile restrained so I don’t grin like a maniac at his simple gesture. I want to be friends, not scare him away. “What on earth could constitute a two-hour meeting?” We bypass the horde of people crowding around the cookie table. I’d rather pay for a cookie than stand in that line. Adrian seems to share my sentiment. He holds open the large door, and a brisk wind nips at my cheekbones when we exit the building. It’s nighttime, but I didn’t drive here because I like to leave the spots to the residents who can’t walk home. Town meetings during the winter months always end up with a walk through the dark, holding my phone flashlight and using each streetlamp as a checkpoint. The pepper spray tucked in my right coat pocket is usually already brandished before my foot even leaves the last church step. I’d like to say I wasn’t always this cautious, but that would be a lie. From the first moments I can recall I’ve always kept my footsteps light and been aware of my surroundings. Growing up in a home full of chaos and uncertainty will do that to you. Suddenly you know your mother’s emotions by the way ...