THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR

pte

ebe

oes thi

ow

recognize him as my ex; she just sees him as a neighbor. I can't think clearly, pac

rrr

iou

ith a smile. "You've got a new neighbor, Phoebe,"

rustration. "A new neighbor?" I echoed, my tone heavy with s

ickly returned. "Come on, Phoebe. Don't

espite myself. "Oh really? What

e just seems... a bit lost, lik

e's probably just another self-centered jerk

ebe. You're really in a

frustration spilling over. "You

he stepped closer to me. "Phoebe, what's wrong

it hit me that Tris was unaware of my history wi

o keep that information t

d, forcing a smile. "Just

you're sure... I was just chatting with the new neighb

washed over me. "What did he say?" I

were... um... friendly. I told him you could be a bit... prickl

ired about me? And what did he mean by "friendly"? Was he rea

utely, completely,

r that he was not welcome here. That he would never be welcome here again.

on. I couldn't understand what he might have talked about with Tris. Why would fate put me and my

he isn't worth my time

my back. I refused to give him the satisfaction of looking back. I k

ehind me, but I didn't glance back.

inside, slamming it shut behind me. I leaned against the door

n my uncertain situation, a

ver me. Who could it be?

reminded myself that I was a strong, independen

was Tris, standing there with a plate of cookies and a worried look on her face. I kne

g my expression. "I heard a loud noise from Barrett's place

," I replied, trying to downplay the situation. "I just... had a s

ent? Phoebe, I've never seen you thi

. I hesitated, but then remembered that Tri

ll you something,"

me, her demeanor seriou

to begin. But I took a d

g with emotion. "Tris, I need to sha

dened in surpr

fought to articulate my thoughts

to disbelief. "Your ex-husband? Ph

on't know, Tris. I suppose I was trying to move on. But i

went down between you two?

d inflicted. "He picked his family legacy over our relationship, Tris. He

a jerk! I'm really sorry, Phoebe. It'

t. "Yeah, it was a really hard ti

mfort. "You're resilient, Phoebe. You can g

he was a genuine friend, an

mind, but I reminded myself not to let him affect

stepping back from the hug. "I just ne

at's the way to go, Phoebe. If Barrett both

re to say?" she asked, a puzzle

he possibly