He walked away and disappeared into the bedroom.

“Sorry about that,” Livia said as a blush filled her cheeks.

“Don’t be. You guys are so cute.”

“We are.” She smiled and let a sigh escape her lips.

My jealousy grew.

She flipped through my book and selected a picture. “This is amazing.”

It was a picture of my sister lying in stalks of grass. She wore a purple dress with matching mascara. I liked photographing her because she was so beautiful. I never told her that because I didn’t want it to go to her head, but she really was. My nana said it all the time.

“Who is this?” she asked.

“My sister.”

“I see the resemblance.”

It was hard not to.

She set up her easel and began to paint. I directed her so she would stay true to the piece. Sometimes she would make the picture darker than necessary, or forget to add shadow. But we worked well together.

Hours later, we were both covered in paint.

“Is this fantastic or what?” Livia asked.

It looked so similar to my photograph that it was frightening. “You’re the best at what you do.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

She smiled. “Thank you. But you’re the true artist here. You can capture something in real life and make something ordinary extraordinary.”

“We could do this all day,” I said with a laugh.

“That doesn’t sound bad. I like compliments.”

“Me too.”

Scotty came back out, wearing running shorts and a t-shirt. “How’d it go?”

“Babe, come here,” Livia said excitedly.

He came to her side, his shoulder touching hers. “Wow. That’s impressive.”

“We make a good team,” I said.

“You’re going to do well at this showcase.” He kissed her forehead.

“Thanks.” Her cheeks blushed.

“I’m going to play ball with the guys.” He walked away and grabbed the basketball from the floor.

“Alright. Give them my love.”

“I will. But I have a feeling a few of them wouldn’t want it.” He winked at her then walked out.

“How long have you been living together?” I asked.

“A few months.”

“You like it?”

“It’s great,” she said. “It’s nice being with him all the time. Besides, I’m here all the time anyway. It just makes more sense to move my stuff.”

I wish Jace and I were that way.

She moved the painting toward the back door so it would dry. “Now we’ll do one more and we’ll be ready for your debut.”

“I’m nervous,” I admitted.

“Don’t be. You’re an amazing photographer.” She stared at me for a moment then her eyes widened.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re a photographer!”

Was I missing something?

“My best friends are getting married and they are looking for someone. Are you interested?”

“Of course,” I said. “But my schedule is pretty packed. It depends on when their wedding is.”

“I’ll set up a time for you guys to meet,” she said. “And I’ll ask when their big day is. They’re a bit indecisive about it.”

“Cool. I look forward to it.”

Nana took a bite of the tortellini I brought her. “If photography doesn’t work out, you can always be a cook.”

That was a huge compliment from my grandmother. “Thanks.”

She finished it then put it aside. “For lunch, we had tuna sandwiches with pickles…why would you put pickles on a sandwich that already has pickles in it?”

I tried not to laugh. “Maybe you should take over the cafeteria.”

“Nah. I’d put a lot of people out of a job.”

“Cocky, much?” I said with a chuckle.

“The Patelo women know how to cook—that is something that can’t be denied.”

I smirked while I listened to her.

“So, how did your conversation with Jace go?”

“Well. Really well. He apologized and said he would be better.”

“Then why do you sound sad?”

I couldn’t hide anything from this woman. “We went out to dinner the other night and he just…acted weird.”

“What did he do?”

“He was about toask for our reservations when he said he needed to leave. He pulled me out of there and said he wasn’t feeling well.”

She stared at the opposite wall, lost in thought. “Did he go to the hospital?”

“No. He didn’t really say what was wrong. He dropped me off and went home.”

She fell quiet again. “Maybe he saw someone he didn’t want to see.”

“Like who?” I asked.

She shrugged. “An enemy, an old girlfriend…”

He did have a lot of old girlfriends, or old flings would be a better way to describe it. “I guess that makes sense. Maybe he just didn’t want to make me uncomfortable.”

“Possibly.”

“I can’t think of anything else.”

My grandma handed the Harry Potter book to me. I picked it up and noticed we were in a different place than last time. “Who’s been reading to you?”

“One of the medical students. I’m his patient a few times a week.”

“That was nice of him. I’m sure he’s busy.”

“Yeah, he’s a sweetheart.” She leaned back and waited for me to read.

I found the page and began the story. Like always, after reading for half an hour, my nana fell asleep. I sat with her until visiting hours, and then I went home, wishing she would come with me.

CHAPTER NINE

Ash

My parents were having dinner at their house, and I couldn’t think of an excuse to get out of it. I preferred to stay at home and look out my peephole, waiting for my beautiful neighbor to do her laundry so I could sneak a conversation in.

She loathed me and, and a part of me loathed her too. But I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Even when she snapped at me and treated me like I was a four-year old little boy, I was still obsessed with her. I’d never seen a more beautiful woman in my life. So naturally, I was hooked.

I wanted to sleep with her. I still felt that way. Call me a pervert or a jackass, but that’s what I wanted from her. She was exotic and sexy. She had full lips I wanted to part with my mouth. I wanted a night of passionate sex with her. My body was attracted to her, needing her. Anytime I was near her, my cock was hard.

Why couldn’t I want an easy slutty girl? That would make my life a lot easier.

And then she had to move next door to me. Really? Right next door? I hated my luck. If I never saw her again after that night at the bar, forgetting about her would be easier. Now it was impossible.

I arrived at the house at the same time as my sister and Scotty.

“Hey.” Livia smiled when she spotted me.

“Hey, brat.” Every time I looked at her, I thought about what happened to her. I didn’t think less of her. I still loved her with my whole heart. But I hated myself for not preventing it. We’d always been close. I should have been there and I’d never forgive myself for not rescuing her. But around her, I put on a fake face and pretended my heart hadn’t been shattered.

Scotty carried a bottle of wine. “I brought this just in case…”

I laughed. “You’re going to need it. My parents are boring, snooty and—”

“You’re here!” My mom opened the door and smiled.

“Wonderful,” I finished awkwardly.

Livia elbowed me in the gut then walked forward. “Hi, Mom.”

My mom hugged her. “Hello, dear. You look nice.”

“Thanks.”

My mom rushed to me and gave me a big hug. She practically crushed me. “My boy.”

I patted her back. “Hey, Mom.”

When she pulled away and looked at Scotty, I wasn’t sure what to expect. “It’s nice to see you.” She pulled Scotty in for a hug and embraced him.

Phew. That went well.

After my dad hugged Livia, he came to me. “How’s my son?”

“Good. How about you, Pops?”

“Better now.” He hugged me then clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re looking fit.”

“Scotty and I play basketball pretty often.”

My dad shook Scotty’s hand. “It’s nice to see you.”

“You too, sir.” Scotty held out the wine. “It’s not vintage, but it’s pretty good.”