Love Next Door (Lakeside #1) by Helena Hunting

“Van? You here? Did you know there’s a yellow clown car in the driveway?” Dillion calls out.

“I love her already.” Teagan slips out of my grasp and skips down the hall.

Bradley appears behind her and gives me an arched brow. I say nothing. His car is douchey and he knows it. He shoulders me out of the way and makes it to the living room before me. He also skirts around Teagan and reaches Dillion, whose eyes are wide and her cheeks red.

“Here, let me help you with those.” Bradley swoops in and grabs the bags she’s carrying, depositing them on the kitchen counter. “And I told my sister we should take the SUV since it’s more understated, but she likes to drive with the top down, so I indulged her.” He takes Dillion’s hand in his. “I’m Bradley, Donovan’s younger, better-looking, more successful brother. And who might you be? Other than an angel fallen from heaven.”

“Uh, I’m Dillion.” She looks from me to him and back again. “And I’m far from an angel. Also, not to make it awkward, but I’m sleeping with your brother, so this flirty business should probably end here.”

Teagan giggles. “Oh my God, I really, really love her now.”

“I should also let you know that of the two of us, I’m more gifted below the belt.”

“That’s untrue.” I cross the room, heading straight for the two of them.

“Van’s a liar and very sensitive about the subject, as you can tell.” Bradley winks at Dillion.

“Not sensitive at all.” I elbow Bradley in the ribs and get between him and Dillion. “Don’t mind him; he likes to push my buttons.”

She smiles knowingly. “Well, that’s karmic, isn’t it?”

I cup her face in my hand and tip her chin up, planting a kiss on her lips that lingers far past anything appropriate with my family in the room. But my brother is a shameless flirt and needs to get a clue.

Teagan giggles and Dillion pushes on my chest. “Okay, stake claimed. Everyone gets the point.” She swipes across her mouth with the back of her hand and offers the other one to Teagan. “Hi, you must be Teagan. Van has told me so much about you.”

Teagan ignores her outstretched hand and pulls her in for a hug. “It’s so great to meet you! Van’s been keeping you a secret, and I think it’s awesome that you two are a thing.” She slaps a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I was supposed to be chill.”

Dillion throws her head back and laughs. “I feel like I’m going to learn so many things about Van tonight.”

“Absolutely. Let’s have drinks!”

I sit back—since there really is nothing else I can do—and let Teagan and Dillion girl bond. I can’t deny it’s nice to see them getting along.

Bradley follows me outside when I put the burgers on the barbecue. He swirls his scotch—he’s not excited about the fact that it’s less than twelve years old—and leans against the railing. “So you’re shacking up with a local, huh?”

“Dillion lived in Chicago until recently, but yeah, she’s local. I know you have something to say; just make sure it isn’t going to get you punched in the face.”

“Are you falling for her?”

“I like her.” I slap several burgers on the grill.

“She lives with her parents? Works for her dad?”

“How would you know that?”

“She mentioned it to Teagan while they were making drinks.”

“Yeah, she works for her family’s business and lives with her parents. It’s temporary, though. She has plans to go back to the city eventually.” Although she hasn’t said anything about it recently.

“‘The city’?” He arches a brow.

I roll my eyes. I guess maybe I’m a local now too. “Chicago. You know I mean Chicago.”

“Mmm.” He swirls his scotch again.

“Mmm, what?”

“Mmm, nothing. Wasn’t she the executor for the will? Or am I getting the name wrong?”

“She’s the one. Why?”

“Right. So you’re not worried about her wanting what you have?” He motions to the cottage.

I give him a look. “You said yourself it’s a heap. What exactly do I have to offer?”

“You’re an architect, and at some point you’re going to have a job again. And this place, as run down as it is, has potential. Her dad runs the only construction company in this town, and she’s his employee.”

“Since when did you become so jaded? Dillion isn’t like that. She’s honest and loyal, and she came back here to help her family out.”

He raises both hands in the air. “Okay, okay. Sorry. It’s been a rough few weeks, is all. It’s hard to know who you can trust. I’m just looking out for you. No offense meant.”

“I get it. But I like her, so no inquisition, okay?”

“I’ll be on my best behavior.”

An hour later we’re stuffed full of burgers. Teagan even tries Dillion’s loaded double-baked potatoes, which are to die for, despite her usually avoiding carbs like the plague. Once dinner is over, Dillion excuses herself, citing an early morning because she has to work.

I walk her back to her trailer and kiss her good night. When I return to the cottage, Teagan is making drinks.