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Mandy opens the door in leggings and a t-shirt. Hair up. Reading glasses on.

"Did I just break some sacred tort law by knocking during bar prep hours?" I ask, leaning against her doorframe.

She smirks. "Only if you don’t come bearing snacks."

I hold up a bag of M&Ms. "I know my audience."

She laughs and steps aside to let me in. "You’re lucky that’s my weakness and I like surprises. What’s up?"

I glance around, then back at her. "Connor and Haley’s engagement party is next weekend."

"Oh, that’s exciting."

"Yeah." I rub the back of my neck. "I want you to come. With me."

Her smile falters for a second. "As your neighbor?"

I step closer. "No. Not as my neighbor. As my date."

Her eyes search mine, wary but curious. "As your date, huh? That some kind of team hazing ritual?"

I grin. "If it is, I’m the one volunteering. No puck bunnies, no blind picks off James’s spreadsheet. I want you."

She lifts a brow. "I don’t know if that’s brave or stupid. My sister would kill us both." She folds her arms, still half in the doorway. "And honestly, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. You’ve got a reputation. I’m studying for the bar. We live next door. A lot could go wrong."

I keep my tone easy, but I don’t miss the flicker of hesitation in her eyes. "Or it could go right. You’ll never know unless you say yes. It’s just a party, not a federal deposition."

She stares at me for a beat, then changes the subject. "Hey, by the way, Kira’s out on a blind date tonight. Her coworker set her up. Total ambush."

"Kira agreed to a blind date? That’s bold."

Mandy laughs. "She’s probably already texting me SOS but my phone is in the other room."

I chuckle. "Think she’ll bail halfway through?"

"Only if the guy orders a well-done steak and drinks milk with dinner."

I groan. "Yikes. Yeah, she’s ghosting that man by the appetizer."

We share a smile, the ease between us settling in again.

Then I clear my throat and meet her gaze. "So… you’ll go on Saturday?"

Mandy hesitates again, searching my face for something I’m not saying out loud. But whatever she sees there must work, because she finally nods.

"Alright, Jones. You’ve got yourself a date."

I grin, cocky but steady. "Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven. Go back to studying."

As I leave, my head's already spinning with what the hell I just did.

And how it feels like the boldest move I’ve made in a long damn time!

Chapter fourteen

Mandy

"Is that your actual outfit, or did you steal it from a Victoria’s Secret runway?"