Page 43 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door

Lucinda’s cheeks flushed at the introduction.

“Hi, Tina, we’ve heard so much about you.” Tom smiled.

“Likewise,” Tina grinned. They got talking while I finished up my makeup.

“So… when is your college lover coming to pick you up?” Lucinda teased.

Tina’s eyes widened. “Did you say college lover?” she asked, looking between me and the phone screen.

“Lulu… why? I’ll never hear the last of this,” I groaned.

Tom’s face turned bright red. “Kendra didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“Kendra has always had a crush on Antonio since her college days.”

“What?! You knew Antonio in college?”

“Sorta…” I responded casually.

“Sorta? Come on, girl… you gotta give me more than that.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “He was in his final year when I was a freshman. I liked him, but he never noticed me. And from our conversations, he doesn’t remember my face. It’s not that big a deal.”

“What? It’s the biggest deal!” Tina squealed.

Tom and Lucinda erupted into laughter. Tom gave Tina a more detailed account of my days of crushing on Antonio, and after they had their fill teasing me, we said our goodbyes.

As the call ended, Tina turned serious.

“Kendra, so you've always liked Antonio. How didn’t you know he was the same billionaire on the news until you were asked to do the story?”

“I don’t know… it didn’t make sense that he was a billionaire and living next to me. Anyway, that’s not important right now.”

“Does Tom know why you’re really going out with Antonio?”

I shook my head.

Tina’s eyes filled with pity. “This changes everything, Kendra. He isn’t just some random person you met here in Asheville.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a pang of guilt. “I know, Tina. But you said it yourself, I need this story.”

Tina’s expression softened. “Just be careful, okay?”

I nodded.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Antonio!

“Time to put on a show,” Tina whispered, handing me my clutch.

I smiled nervously, taking one last look in the mirror.

The blue dress shimmered in the light, and my hair cascaded down my back. I felt like a princess.

Tina gave me a quick hug. “You got this, girl.”