The Bad Boy Next Door (Kendrick Place) Read online

  Shay smiled into the phone. “Thank you.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up. She resisted the urge to squeal for about ten seconds. Then she gave a dramatic fist pump and twirled once in front of her computer, tossing the pen onto her desk. “Yes!”

  This morning, she’d been contacted through her website for quotes on planning a Sweet Sixteen. Paying the money to run the ad on social media had been well worth it.

  Excitement pulsed through her veins. It was happening, and the best part was knowing she was doing it on her own. Google Analytics made it easy to see her website was getting more traffic every day. She’d put aside a little bit of the library deposit to pay for more advertising. People wanted easy access and since they were on social media anyway, it was a great place to network.

  Her phone chimed and she answered immediately. “Shine by Shay.”

  Simon’s chuckle sounded in her ear, making her heart pinch. “Hey, shiny Shay.”

  Her stomach dropped when she realized she answered with her business name. Her brother didn’t question it, though. They were overprotective, but her brothers were really great siblings. Wanting to do things on her own forced her to walk away so there’d be room to spread her wings, but she missed her family. She and Simon were particularly close.

  She shut down her email and went to get dressed with the phone to her ear.

  “Hey yourself. How’s it going?”

  “Pretty good. My new classes are intense. I’m glad this is my last semester. How are you?” Simon was finishing up his degree at the Yale School of Architecture. The reminder of that, compared to her booking a gig that would pay under five hundred dollars, made her heart clench in a different way. “I’m great. I love my new place. I’ve got some great neighbors, and Boston is amazing. My bed and couch were delivered yesterday, so I’m heading to Target to get some tools and new linens.” All great things. She did not need to measure her own success by that of her brother’s.

  “Tools for what?”

  Shay pulled a long gray sweater out of her closet and grabbed a pair of black patterned leggings, putting her brother on speaker so she could dress. “For putting my bed together.”

  “The delivery guys didn’t do that for you? Where did you get it? Let me call them. They should have done that when they dropped it off,” Simon said. She could hear him rustling around in the background and rolled her eyes.

  She yanked the sweater over her head, then replied with a patient tone, even though resentment tickled her spine. “I told them not to. I want to do it myself.”

  Simon laughed. “Come on, kid. There’s a difference between showing us you can do it on your own and just being stubborn.”

  “I’m not being stubborn,” she said, hating how her voice rose. Simon and Wyatt would get along great. Not that she’d be introducing her grumpy neighbor to her brother. She grabbed her leggings and pulled them on.

  “No. Not you. Listen, I have a reading break coming up in February. I want to come check out your place and see you.”

  Before she could tell him she didn’t need to be checked up on, he added, “I miss you.”

  Shay’s heart softened. “I miss you, too. When’s the break?”

  “Second week. I’ll take the train up. You got somewhere for me to sleep?”

  Shay smirked and took the phone off speaker. “Yup. My couch. Don’t worry, it came fully assembled.”

  His laugh brought out her smile. “Smart-ass. I love you.”

  “Love you, too. I’ll send you a picture when my bed is together.”

  “From the floor after it collapses?”

  “Good-bye, Simon,” she said. She bit her lip so she wouldn’t laugh at his teasing.

  “Bye, kid.”

  Shay grabbed her purse, her list, and her keys. She’d memorized the bus schedule and had about twelve minutes before the next one arrived. Kendrick Place was central to everything she needed but not right in the heart of the city. The building was more than she’d expected when she’d found the ad online. As she got off the elevator, an elderly man in a funky fedora smiled at her and said hello. Shay did the same.

  Why didn’t you introduce yourself? Because her brain was zipping around like a bumper car thinking about her brother’s visit, what she needed at Target, and whether or not she should ask to put up some business flyers in the lobby. Next time.

  When she was seated on the bus, she took a deep breath, pulled out her phone, and brought up Brady’s number. He’d texted to thank her for the casserole. She’d sent a quick message back telling him he deserved that and more. She couldn’t help but think that if she and Brady went on a couple of dates before her brother arrived, Shay could show Simon, who would then report back to the family, that she was doing fine. Happy, settled, and making good choices.

  Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Hey, neighbor. Was wondering if you wanted to come for dinner tonight? Before she could talk herself out of it, she pressed send. The bus lurched to a stop, and Shay put a hand up to steady herself, finding her breath again when she saw on the screen that Brady was responding.

  Brady: Sounds good. What can I bring? I’m working until six. Seven okay? You did already thank me, you know. Not that I’m complaining.

  Shay smiled and went all in. I did thank you. This one is just because I want to see you. Seven works great.

  There. Shay congratulated herself on her wise decision. Finding romance hadn’t been on her agenda when she’d decided to move. If anything worked out, it could just be one of those perks to taking a chance. The bus pulled up to her stop just as another text from Brady came through.

  Brady: See you later, New Girl ;)

  Thankfully someone else was getting off at Shay’s stop, seeing as she’d been too busy texting to pull the stop cord. She smiled at the bus driver and wished him a good day.

  Boston was beautiful. Shay loved cities. She loved being surrounded by skyscrapers and people. The view of the water didn’t hurt, either. She weaved between and around people who hustled down the sidewalk. Target was on the next block, and she reminded herself she could only buy what she could carry home. Maybe it would be smart to think about getting a car. Need a few more event bookings to make that happen.

  Once inside the massive store, she removed her jacket and put it over her purse in a huge red cart. She took her time looking through bins and at sale items. She hadn’t been shopping for a while, and now that she was here, she wanted more than to just check off the items on her list. She relaxed, picking up a cute purple wallet to check it out. Opening it, she saw it was very roomy, given that it was small. Bright polka dots decorated the inside. Shay ran her finger along the smooth seam of stitching. Good quality. Then she checked the price tag. She didn’t need a new wallet, but it was a great size and so bright. Shay put it back. See? I can be disciplined.

  Her parents had given her a credit card at eighteen, telling her she could use it for shopping or going out with friends. She also used it to pay for courses, books, and anything else she desired. She’d never once looked at a bill. When she’d taken her nanny position, the family she worked for had done much the same, telling Shay to purchase anything she’d needed and they’d sort things out at the end of each month. Pushing the cart toward the tool section, she realized she should be grateful she had any concept of money at all.

  Before Shay could turn left down the aisle for tools, she caught sight of Wyatt holding up a beautifully colored scarf in front of a striking, raven-haired woman. Shay’s heart arrested, like it had been dropped from a twelve-story building. When it started again, it doubled its pace. She pulled the cart down a side aisle so she could watch but be out of his line of sight. The woman laughed, pulled the scarf from Wyatt’s hands, and tossed it at his chest. Wyatt frowned and picked up another one, but the woman shook her head. When they moved deeper into the women’s section, Shay abandoned her cart, grabbing her jacket and purse and holding them tightly as she watched.

&n
bsp; She couldn’t hear them, but something Wyatt said must have been funny because the woman laughed again, this time throwing her head back. Shay’s stomach somersaulted. Guess he knows what she likes. Did he just meet up with women he knew at different stores and flirt with them? When the woman picked up a sweater and held it against her lean but curvy body, Wyatt shrugged, then nodded. Jealousy burned like she’d touched her hand to a fire. Stop it. What he does, or who he’s with does not concern you. Except, he’d said he didn’t have a girlfriend. Why lie? He didn’t seem like the type—he was too blunt. But what did she know? Shay’s last serious relationship had been proof positive that she was not the best judge of whether or not a man was being truthful.

  When Wyatt turned and strolled away, the woman followed. Shay crossed the aisle while they weren’t looking and managed to get herself behind a rack of marked-down holiday dresses before they turned again. This time, Wyatt held up a gorgeous, thick, gray infinity scarf. The woman’s face brightened, and she pulled it from his hands. Shay blinked, uncertain why a lump had formed in her throat. When the woman pressed herself against Wyatt, hugging him, Shay felt like sharp claws were digging into her heart.

  Shay ducked behind some T-shirts in time to see Wyatt’s gal pal pick up a sexy black dress. Wyatt shook his head adamantly. The woman had the nerve to pat his cheek and then walk into the changing room, leaving Wyatt staring after her. Shay’s phone chimed loudly, and she dropped, hunching down like there was a missile aimed straight at her head.

  Dammit. You are the worst spy ever. She switched the phone to silent while she remained in the squatted position. It was Brady asking if she wanted him to pick anything up. She ignored the text and was about to stand when two scuffed black boots stopped directly in front of her. Shay bit her lip and closed her eyes. I’m invisible. I’m invisible. But no amount of wishing or chanting would make it true. Craning her neck, she let her gaze wander up jean-clad thighs, a wide chest, a scruffy, sexy jaw, and found herself staring into hard-to-read, almost emerald eyes.

  “Lose something? Besides your mind?” Wyatt asked.

  Heat suffused Shay to the point that it was difficult to breathe. Or maybe that was because she was still squatting. Wyatt reached down, circled his hand around her arm, and tugged her to her feet.

  Shay smiled so wide her cheeks hurt. “Oh, hi Wyatt. What are you doing here? I just…was… I thought I dropped my…uh, keys. My keys. But nope, they’re in my purse.”

  She knew her face was likely the shade of cherry tomatoes, but she tried to pretend everything was normal. That she hadn’t been stalking her moody neighbor and his hot not-girlfriend through the women’s clothing section.

  “You are probably the worst liar I’ve ever met,” he said. He arched a brow and continued to stare at her.

  Shay laughed too loudly.

  Wyatt sighed. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “I told you—”

  He put his hand up and cut her off. “Yeah, your keys. Got it. Never mind.”

  They stood staring at each other, and Shay wondered if she backed away slowly, he’d let her go and pretend this never happened.

  “For future reference, when following someone, make sure they haven’t spotted you already. Also, stay farther back and try to duck behind things that are actually taller than you.”

  Shay swallowed down the golf ball lodged in her throat and nodded enthusiastically, like what he was saying made perfect sense. “You saw me?”

  His laugh was more of a grunt. “I thought you were going to drool on that wallet. I really hope you don’t ever plan to be a PI or anything.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin. “It just so happens I don’t plan to, and while I thank you for your great advice on tailing someone, I don’t need it. Perhaps you should get back to your raven-haired dream girl.”

  Foot in mouth.

  Shay nearly swallowed her tongue when a wide smile spread over Wyatt’s face. His eyes brightened, and it was like she was staring into glittering jewels. Before either of them could say anything, his sexy friend joined him. Shay wished, more than she ever had before, that she had an invisibility cloak.

  “Hey. You were right about the dress,” the woman said, her eyes locked on Shay. “Too low-cut.”

  Wyatt crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze not leaving Shay’s face. Shay’s eyes bounced back and forth between the two of them. Wyatt’s smile faded, and he glanced at the woman.

  “Told you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You ever get tired of your high horse?”

  Shay choked on a quick intake of breath, making Wyatt look back in her direction as he answered. “Nope. It’s damn comfortable up here.”

  Like they shared secrets, the woman leaned in and smiled at Shay. “One of these days, he’s going to fall right off, and I can’t wait to watch.”

  Wyatt growled low in his throat, and while Shay’s heartbeat raced again, this woman just laughed and smacked Wyatt in the stomach. “He also has lousy manners. I’m Abigail. Wyatt’s sister.”

  Shay looked at Wyatt, her heartbeat slowing. Her voice was shrill. “Sister?”

  Abigail smirked and glanced at her brother. Her brother! “Yes. Sister. He missed my birthday, and even though he tried to get out of today, he promised me a visit and a present of my choosing.”

  “I did not try to get out of today,” Wyatt said. He unfolded his arms and ran a hand through his dark hair. It was a bit tousled, like it wasn’t the first time he’d put his hands through it today. Out of frustration?

  “Yes, he did. And because you just lied, I’m getting the dress and the scarf.”

  Wyatt’s glare would have given Shay shivers if it were directed at her. “I’m not buying that damn dress. Where will you wear it? Parent-teacher conferences?”

  Abigail’s eyes flashed with a fire that matched her brother’s. “Maybe. Jonah does have a hot teacher.”

  Wanting to diffuse the family feud, and overwhelmed by the thoughts and emotions pummeling her, Shay interrupted inanely. “Happy birthday.”

  Both siblings looked at her, and she could see the resemblance now that jealousy wasn’t clouding her vision.

  “Thank you. I’m sorry. It seems my manners get worse in Wyatt’s presence. You are?”

  “Shay Matthews,” she said, reaching out to shake Abigail’s hand.

  “A friend of my brother’s?”

  “No. Just a neighbor,” Wyatt said.

  The lump returned to Shay’s throat and blocked her airway, making breathing next to impossible. She met Wyatt’s gaze and forced herself to speak. “Right. Just a neighbor. I recently moved into the building. I should get going. I need to buy a drill.”

  She mentally smacked herself for droning on like a fool. Abigail released her hand, and Shay made herself ignore the look of pity in the woman’s eyes.

  “A drill?” Wyatt’s eyes showed regret, but seeing as his quick dismissal was still poking holes in her heart, she kept her tone curt.

  “It’s a multi-purpose tool. It can be used for a number of things, but I plan to use it to put my new bed together.”

  Shay gathered her purse and jacket tighter to her chest and started backing away slowly. “It was nice to meet you, Abigail. Wyatt…see you around.”

  Before either of them could say anything, she turned and went back to where she left the cart. It was gone and for some reason, this made her even more upset. She refused to cry as she walked back to the entrance to grab another one. She came to Target for tools. She came to Boston for freedom. It was time to focus on those two things and nothing else.

  Shay sang along to the song playing on her iPhone as she mixed up the salad she’d finished putting together. The table was set nicely, candles were lit, and she was not, absolutely not thinking of any man other than Brady. When a knock came, she wiped her hands on a cloth, took a deep breath, and reminded herself she’d had dinner with a man before and this was no big deal. Unlike other neighbors—who
were jerks—she knew Brady didn’t mind the label of friends and told herself to focus on that and not worry about more. At least for now. She needed to remember to ask if it was okay to put her flyer up in the lobby. That thought, and all others, fled when she opened the door to see Wyatt standing in the hallway, a piece of paper in his fingers.

  She stiffened unintentionally but made no effort to relax. “What can I do for you?”

  Wyatt’s eyebrow arched. Did he practice that? His ability to say so much with just an eyebrow was enviable. “I came to apologize for earlier.”

  Her pulse scrambled. “Oh?”

  With a sound that was part laugh, part sigh, he passed the paper to her. Shay accepted without looking, choosing to hold his gaze. “I was a jerk at the store and I’m sorry. My sister asked about you, and I was telling her how you plan events. She has a good friend who is having a baby. Abigail wants to hire you to plan the shower or party or whatever.”

  Shay wanted to look down her nose at him and refuse the gesture. But common sense trumped pride. She took the number. “Thank you. I’ll contact your sister tomorrow. Is that all?”

  Wyatt ran a hand through his hair in a gesture Shay now knew was frustration. His jaw was covered in a few days’ stubble, which only added to the whole sexy-dark-brooding vibe he had going on. “Are you just going to stay mad?”

  She tilted her head. The elevator dinged. “Does it matter? It’s not like we’re friends.”

  Wyatt opened his mouth to respond, but they were joined by Brady before he could. Looking freshly showered and shaved, wearing a funny shirt that said “Mechanics know how to make your engine purr,” he held a bottle of wine.

  “Wyatt. Shay.” He glanced back and forth between them.

  “Hi,” Shay said, hoping her voice wasn’t an octave too high.

  “Nice shirt,” Wyatt said, his tone suggesting otherwise.

  Like there hadn’t been sarcasm in his neighbor’s voice, Brady laughed and looked down. “Thanks. Christmas present from Gabby.”

  Gabby. Both men had mentioned her now. Maybe it was time to find a female friend in the building. It would certainly be easier.