The Good Neighbors
Page 18
“We look forward to having you,” he said sincerely. She stood, walking away from the table with a chest full of exuberant joy. It was all she could do not to break out in dance right there in the restaurant. As soon as she was out of their line of vision, she began walking quicker, bustling through the busy restaurant on her way toward the door. Luke’s school was open for another hour, but she wanted to celebrate the good news with him. In the past four years, her amazing son had become her best friend. Bryant came around on the weekends—sometimes—but he’d taken a job two states away, so his involvement had been minimal. She had an incredible job, and incredible son, and an incredible life since she’d left Lancaster Mills, and in a way, it was all thanks to her ex-husband. He’d shown her his true colors in enough time for her to save herself from years of heartbreak, something many women weren’t lucky enough to have.
She was lucky, though some days it was harder to see than others. Today was not one of those days. Today was perfect—her thoughts were interrupted as she ran straight into a restaurant patron.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, reaching out a hand to touch his arm. He’d been bent over, picking something up off the floor, and she’d missed him, running straight into him and knocking him over. He looked up at her and her gasp caught in her throat. “I’m…”
He stood, his expression just as shocked as she felt. It had been four years since she’d seen Jason Fuller, the dark eyes that caused her stomach to do backflips and the smile that warmed the darkest parts of her soul. “Hi,” he said politely, reaching out a hand. “I’m Nathan.”
She stared at him, wondering for a moment if she were wrong about who she’d thought he was, but his wink caused her to smile back. She took his hand, their skin colliding with electricity. She didn’t dare let go. “Hi, Nathan, I’m Harper.”
“Harper,” he said her name slowly. “It’s…great to meet you.”
She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, her face warming under his stare. “You too.”
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked, looking at the table he’d been at. It was filled with five guys who were around Jas—Nathan’s age and watching them as if they were an episode of television. “You guys minds if I duck out?”
“Go right ahead,” one of the men said, his tone heavy with innuendo.
“I’m sorry,” Harper said. “I mean, thank you for the invitation. I have to go pick up my son.”
Nathan nodded, his happiness fading quickly. “Oh, okay, of course.”
She smiled at him one last time, tucking her purse back over her arm as she went to walk away. “It was…really nice to see you.”
The smile he gave her in return was sad but polite. “You too, Harper.” He took a drink of his beer as she walked past him. After a few steps, she turned around.
“Nathan?”
He spun on his heel to face her. “Yeah?”
“How long are you in town?”
“Oh,” he said, obviously caught off guard. “I live here now. I work for the paper.”
Her heart raced. He was close. In the same city. At the same stoplights and restaurants. Caught in the same traffic jams. It was her chance. A chance she never thought she’d have again. “Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?” she offered, adrenaline coursing through her.
His eyes widened just a bit as shock filled his face, but his expression warmed quickly. “I would love that,” he said.
“Good,” she told him. “Me too.”
She reached out to take his hand one last time, desperate for his touch, and he kissed the back of her hand. “Until tomorrow,” he whispered, and it was like they were the only people in the room. Everything else silenced as she stared into the eyes she’d dreamed about weekly for the past four years. The eyes she never thought she’d see again.
Before she realized what was happening, his arms were around her waist, his lips on hers in a passionate embrace. It was fast, too fast for a single mom, and yet not fast enough for the woman who’d dreamed of this exact thing happening for so long. He smelled the same, his touch felt the same, and yet everything had changed. The biggest change: that she was single now. That she could enjoy this now. That she could live in the moment with him. That this was a possibility. Not just a possibility…a reality. He pulled away from her, his lips red from their kiss, and she was vaguely aware of the men he’d been dining with snickering. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. He was here—no longer a figment of her daydreams—and there were no more secrets between them, only freedom. Freedom to build a new life. One they’d both started on four years ago.
Lancaster Mills had taken so much from her, but as she released his hands, their eyes still locked together, she realized how much it had given her, too.
“I’ll meet you here tomorrow at six?” he asked.
“Sounds good,” she told him, still in a slight daze. Good. For the first time in so long, everything about her life was good.
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Acknowledgments
When I first began writing The Good Neighbors (at the time it was titled Don’t Wake the Neighbors), I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be able to finish it. Honestly, it scared me too much. It’s a very real fear, isn’t it?
The idea for this story came to me when my husband and I were shopping for our first house. A coworker of mine was having a horrible time with her neighbors and her stories began to terrify me as we shopped for our own home. I worried…what if our neighbors are terrible, too? Growing up in the middle of nowhere with no one around, the idea of living next door to someone I didn’t get along with for the rest of my life (or the foreseeable future, at least) was enough to cause me severe nightmares.
I’m happy to report our new neighbors have been wonderful, but I’m also forever grateful for that fear because it culminated in this chilling story idea: what if the new neighbors weren’t good at all?
Although the people I need to thank for helping me with this story aren’t literally my neighbors, they are a part of my inner circle—my community, if you will—and I couldn’t do any of this without them.
To my husband, Michael, and my daughter, CB—thank you for loving me through all of my writer’s block, crazy moments, insane deadlines, and sleep-deprived states. I love the two of you more than you could ever possibly understand. Without you, none of this would be possible.
To my family—my parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—thank you for being such a huge part of who I am. Thank you for the lessons you’ve taught me, the stories you’ve shared, and the support you’ve given. Without you, I was just a little girl who may never have believed in herself enough to give this a shot. I love you.
To Emerald O’Brien, Rachel Renee, and Lauren Lee—my suspenseful sisters. I’m so incredibly thankful to have you ladies on this journey with me. Thank you for your advice when I’m struggling, your willingness to listen when I need to vent, and your unwavering support in everything I do. I can’t wait to see where this beautiful journey takes us and I’m glad we’re in it together.
To my amazing editor, Sarah West—I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you are an absolute super star! The things you manage to catch, your insight, and your dedication to my books and characters is unmatched. I’m forever thankful that we crossed paths.
To my wonderful proofreader, Lyssa Dawn—thank you for being my last set of eyes. I’m so grateful for your attention to detail and love of great stories.
To my Twisted Readers, Street Team, and Review Team—you guys are everything to me. I coul
dn’t do this without your support. On a rough day, I can always turn to my groups to make me laugh or encourage me to keep going. Most of you have been here since the beginning and I love you all so much! Thank you for giving me the inspiration for some of the crazy pranks that took place in this story.
To my beta readers, Emerald, Brittany, Rachel, and Dawn—thank you for being my first words of encouragement when I was sure this book was utter crap. This book is 1000x better thanks to your advice, insight, and questions. Thank you for believing in these characters and pushing me to be better.
And, lastly, to you—thank you for purchasing this book and supporting art. Thank you for being a reader. Thank you for every review, every recommendation, every share on social media. Thank you, most of all, for making my dreams come true. Without you, I would just be a girl with a head full of stories and no one to share them with.
About the Author
Kiersten Modglin is a suspense author who enjoys dabbling in all the sub-genres. A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes super-fan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book. More than anything, she loves reading & creating life-changing stories.
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Also by Kiersten Modglin
STANDALONE NOVELS
Becoming Mrs. Abbott
The List
The Missing Piece
Playing Jenna
The Beginning After
THE MESSES SERIES
The Cleaner (The Messes, #1)
The Healer (The Messes, #2)
The Liar (The Messes, #3)
The Prisoner (The Messes, #4)
NOVELLAS
The Long Route: A Lover’s Landing Novella
The Stranger in the Woods: A Crimson Falls Novella