My Beautiful Neighbor (The Greene Family Book 1) by Piper Rayne (phonics reading books TXT) 📕

When we’re done eating, we walk out to the sidewalk and find Adam and Jed putting up the awning.

“Oh, you guys didn’t have to do that,” I say.

“It’s either that or you break an ankle,” Adam says, looking at Cade behind me.

I’m shocked to find Jed helping.

“I guess since you’re not going anywhere,” Jed says, climbing down after he finishes, “you might as well be official.”

We all stare at the awning that has the words The Story Shop scrawled across it. Cade’s front is to my back. Although we’re not touching, I’m very aware of his presence.

Zoe from The Grind comes out and claps. “It looks awesome,” she shouts from across the street.

Chuck steps out of the butcher’s, and for the first time, I see a grin on his face. “Welcome, neighbor.”

A few Sunrise Bay people stop and say how excited they are about the shop opening too, and a seed of happiness sprouts inside. Maybe things in this town are finally coming together. I have my store, a place to stay, and soon I’ll have a way to get around. And then there’s Cade, although I’m not sure for how long I’ll have him.

It’s almost too easy and too simple, but I’ll enjoy it for as long as I can.

“Jed?” A woman’s voice invades my bubble. “Cade?”

All four of us turn, but it’s Adam’s hand on my shoulder that tells me this is something I should be concerned about.

“Reese?” Cade says. I’ve heard the name enough to know she used to date Cade, but I have no idea how long or how serious it was.

“Reese.” Jed rolls his eyes at Adam, her name falling from his lips with a very different tone.

Cade wraps his arms around Reese, and she closes her eyes and inhales. I know the scent she’s smelling right now, and it makes me want to yank him away from her and say that smell is mine. But he doesn’t belong to me.

“When did you get back?” he asks, as though they keep up with one another.

“Yeah, Reese, what brings you back?” Jed asks, disdain clear in his voice.

Now I’m all kinds of confused. Why would Jed hate her?

She’s a blonde, but her hair is on the short side and it’s straight. She glances over Cade’s shoulder then up at the awning.

“Oh, you must be the Presley I heard about who’s opening the new bookstore?” She walks away from Cade, but I know I’m not imagining the way his eyes are glued to her as she walks toward me.

I put out my hand. “Hi. Yes, I’m Presley.”

After she shakes my hand, she peeks in the window and smiles. “It’s so cute.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, I’m Reese,” she says, but doesn’t give me a moment to respond before turning to Adam. “Adam.” She holds her arms out as if she’s his dear aunt who hasn’t seen him in ages. “I’m so sorry about Lucy. My mom told me.”

Adam’s eyes flare, looking at Jed and Cade over her shoulder.

Cade never glances in my direction. Not once. His gaze is steady on Reese.

“I’m fine,” Adam says.

“Yeah, he’s found a new love of Motown that’s getting him through,” Jed chimes in.

Adam steps back and Reese moves to Jed as though the three of them are her own brothers.

“Jed, comedian as always.” She hugs him, but it’s brief because Jed doesn’t reciprocate and looks at Cade the entire time her arms are around him as though he’s telling his brother to get this disgusting thing off of him.

Cade wouldn’t notice though because he’s yet to look at anyone besides Reese.

“What’s the Motown about, Adam?” She stands in the circle with us all, as though she doesn’t understand that she’s struck everyone speechless.

“Presley.” Adam motions to me.

“Oh, you’re a Motown girl?” Reese shakes her head as if music is actually playing.

“No, I just suggested he listen to whatever music wouldn’t remind him of Lucy,” I admit.

Cade finally looks at me and our eyes lock, a small smile forming on his lips.

“Oh, that’s cute. I mean, I doubt that helps you sleep at night after your wife left you, but it’s cute.” Her tone has turned condescending. If she thought of this family as her own, she could maybe be less crass in her delivery.

“It does help, actually.” Adam eyes me.

I shrug. I don’t really give a shit what Reese thinks. All that matters is what Adam says.

“Anyway, my mom sent me to the butcher. You know her.” She looks at Cade.

He nods.

I guess that’s not the reaction she wanted, so she puts her hands on Adam’s arm then Cade’s. “I know it’s about that time of year, so if either of you needs anything, let me know.”

She leaves Adam’s side and rises on her tiptoes to place a soft, lingering kiss on Cade’s cheek. Jed rolls his eyes. I think we might actually have something in common now.

“Bye, guys. Nice meeting you, Presley. Can’t wait until the grand opening.”

“You too.” I wave and smile, not meaning it. Here I thought the manipulative bitches were only back home. Turns out there are some in Sunrise Bay too.

“What time of year is it?” I ask quietly. I’m fairly sure I’m overstepping, but I hate the fact Reese knows more than me.

“Our mom’s birthday,” Adam says.

“Hey.” Jed clasps Cade’s shoulder. “I need help for a second. Something’s come up with a client…”

Jed doesn’t fool me though. He’s tearing Cade away to get a grip on himself before I grow suspicious. But Jed is underestimating me again. Cade and Reese have some sort of long history and what scares me is that he might think she’s worth more than just a friends with benefits relationship like we have.

Jed practically shoves me into Truth or Dare. “What the hell?” he yells, but I’m barely able to form a sentence.

Reese hasn’t returned home in at least five years. Seeing her again stirs up all those emotions from when we