Free ThisTimeNextDoor by Gretchen Galway

time.”
    “You haven’t seen him since…”
    “I’m just going to let him in. Relax. I won’t start anything,” Rose said, adding to herself, Not now, anyway.
    She strode back down the hall to answer the front door, then paused, more than a little annoyed when she heard he was already inside. Two male voices rumbled through the house, one too quiet to make out the words, one very clear.
    “Mark Johnson,” she heard John say. “My mom told me you were back home.”
    Rose put a hand on the wall and drew in a breath, telling herself to calm down. She’d promised Blair she would stay out of it, but as she stood there, knowing she’d have to listen to John's cheerful, arrogant charm in person, she wondered if that was going to be possible.
    Mark said something in reply she couldn’t make out. Then John's infectious laugh rippled through the air, setting Rose’s teeth on edge.  
    “Don’t put yourself down,” John said. “You’re a fucking genius, always were. Maybe we can go into business together someday. Cash in on some of those brains.”
    Greedy bastard. He thought everything and everyone was ripe for the picking—all of humanity a buffet, with him holding the plate. Lifting her chin, she strode around the corner into the foyer.
    “Perhaps we could sell them on eBay,” Mark said, then glanced at Rose. He had his hands stuffed into his pockets and his voice was quiet, but he’d placed himself directly in front of John, blocking his way into the living room.
    Following Mark’s gaze, John turned and saw her.
    For a moment they just stared at each other. Rose knew her face was probably as red as her manicure, but she finally managed to smile, barely, and say, “Hello, John,” without spitting.
    He, of course, had no trouble at all. Gorgeous as always, charming as always. “Rosie Posey,” he said softly. “Nice to see you.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mark frown.
    Typical of John. After everything he’d done, he thought he could get out of trouble by being cute and reminding her of better times.
    Big mistake. “Blair will be out in a few minutes. She’s not feeling well.”
    His brow creased in concern that, damn him, looked sincere. “Was she sleeping? I hope you didn’t wake her up. She doesn’t have to get up for my sake.”
    “ Now you care,” Rose said.
    “I deserve that. Do your worst.” John sighed, ran a hand through his mussed hair. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom? I was in such a hurry to get here, I didn’t use the one at the airport.”
    For a second Mark stayed where he was. Then he nodded and stepped aside. After John patted him on the arm and strode past him into the house, Mark raised his eyebrow at Rose.
    “Rosie Posey?” he asked.
    “I liked your blocking action. Didn’t have a maneuver for the Bathroom Trick, though, did you?” Making jokes helped her keep from screaming. Seeing John again was harder than she’d expected. Her hands were shaking. “Let’s eat. The pasta’s cold and mushy by now, but I don’t want him to think we’re going to rearrange our lives for his unannounced visit.”
    He followed her into the kitchen and took the plate she handed him. “Rosie Posey?” he repeated.
    “Do you mind if we just load our plates as it is? Normally I’d stir the sauce and penne together for a moment to finish it off, but—no, you’re right, I should. Why skip it just because he’s here? Hand me the pasta.” She reached out for the bowl behind him.
    “It’s fine. Let’s just eat it as is.”
    “The asparagus is cold.”
    “I’ll nuke it. Can I pour you some wine?” He took the bowl of asparagus from her and put it in the microwave.
    “I’d rather have a martini.” The mushroom sauce was lumpy. She’d forgotten to cook the chicken. Or was it prawns?
    How could he just swagger in here and smile at her like that?
    “Start with this. I’ll look for the booze.” Mark put a glass of wine in her hands.
    What a fool she’d been,