AT THE PARTY NEXTDOOR BY MELLA

ad, Tyla. It ha

ine. "Character" was a generous word for a two-bedroom apartment that current

open. It didn't just open

tion. She looked like she had just stepped off a yacht in Saint-Tropez,blonde hair a

t our living room a

hed my cheek, her manicured nails sharp. "The lobby was so promising, but this? It's

er grumbled from the floor, a hex key cl

few months. Though I'll definitely need to call my decorator. This lighting is do

to Daniel Thorne's dark, stormy eyes. "The n

garage. If he's the one throwing the parties, we need to be on the guest list.

d against the wall. "Trust me, you d

ing as 'too much' for me. Now, get dressed. We're going to brunch. You a

s exactly how Summer liked it. I watched her adjust her gold jewelry, her movements practiced and cold. I knew

st. Let her be the target. If Daniel Thorne wants a 'pr

ped into the lobby

chimed, and

He was flanked by two men,one grinning at a phone, the other looking like a si

he s

ation in real-time,the way she arched her back and poute

ty smile. "I think you're the neighbor Tyla was complaining about. I'm Summer. I just moved in, and I simply had

g confidence, waiting for

on of a second,a cold, dismissive glance that treated h

e, and the intensity fel

stepped right past her. He didn'

ut, his large, warm hand settling on the hood of my sweatshirt. With agonizing slowness, he adj

his voice a low rumble that ignored every

fine," I

etter tonight," he whispered. "The party starts at ten. And do

of my jaw for a lingering second before he pu

nded his men, stepping t

onight, Neighbor," he t

f the spot where Daniel's fingers had touched my skin. But m

to look a

he pretty, polished Summer disappeared, and in her place was something ugly and jagged. He

redator seeing someone

read. I'd spent years trying to be the "safe" best frien

ugh her eyes remained frozen. She wrapped her arm through mine,

ng into something that didn't reach her eyes. "After all, what are b

o escape my past, but as Summer led me toward the door, I realized the

who was currentl