My Enemy Next Door

“None taken.”

Before I could ask him to listen to my latest recording, my phone rang.

“This is Chassie Heritage at Walsh & White,” I answered. “Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with today?”

“Why hello there, Miss Heritage.” Mr. Walsh’s voice was on the line. “I see from our public schedule that you have a gap at this moment. Is that correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Great. Well, we have a new lawyer who is considering a term with our team, and I’m inviting everyone up to meet him. Is Sebastian with you?”

Sebastian made a cutting gesture with his hand.

“No, sir. He’s not in here.”

“Well, whenever you see him, tell him to drop by for a quick meet, too. Will you?”

“Will do,” I said. “I’ll see you shortly.”

I waited for him to end the call before setting down the receiver.

“Seriously, Sebastian? You’re scared to meet a guy who may be just as attractive as you?”

“It’s an ego-thing,” he said, taking a seat in my chair. “Hurry up and report back. I’ll listen to a few minutes of your latest recording while you’re gone.”

“Sold.” I grabbed my jacket and headed upstairs to Mr. Walsh’s office. As the elevator rose, I mentally rehearsed the same lines I gave to every new lawyer who came here.

“This firm is like family. I’m looking forward to seeing you fit right in.”

“I hope you’ll love New York as much as I do.”

“Feel free to stop by my office with questions at anytime.”

I knocked on Mr. Walsh’s door, and he opened it immediately.

“Come on in, Miss Heritage.” He ushered me inside. “Chassie Heritage this is Tyler Hudson. Tyler Hudson, this is Chassie Heritage.”

What the fuck?

All of the color drained from my face as I set sight on the man I hadn’t seen since college, the one who was the worst entry on my F.U. List.

Convinced that my eyes were deceiving me, I blinked a few times as he stood to his feet.

His stunning green eyes met mine, and the room suddenly felt ten times smaller.

This man was still—all these years later, the sexiest man I’d ever seen in my life. My memories had failed to do him any type of justice, and I knew now—more than ever, that no picture would ever fully capture how perfect he looked.

Dressed in a custom navy-blue suit and silver tie, his jet-black hair was cut low, and the dimple in his right cheek deepened as he flashed a pearly white smile.

I tried to turn away—to exit stage left and leave this unwanted production, but he pinned me to the spot with his gaze.

“Your name is Chassie now?” He smirked. “I could’ve sworn it was Kelsie.”

“Then I guess we’re two for two,” I said. “I could’ve sworn that you didn’t exist anymore.”

“I don’t see why,” he said. “You would’ve been invited to my funeral.”

“To spit on your casket?”

“To cry about what good friends we could’ve been.”

“My friends don’t try to one-up each other every chance they get.”

“When will you introduce me to them?”

“The day I get that funeral invitation.”

Silence.

His lips curved into that sexy smile that was still capable of making my panties wet.

“It’s good to see you again,” he said.

“Is it, really?”

“Yes.” He glanced at the V-cut of my dress. “Really.”

“You two know each other?” Mr. Walsh smiled, looking between us. “How?”

“Mr. Hudson played a very pivotal role in my life years ago.” I beat him to the punch. “He was the perfect, leading asshole and his performance will never be forgotten.”

“I remember our previous script a lot differently.” Tyler quipped. “I believe you played the victim with a distorted sense of reality.”

“Only one of us was brought to tears.”

“Good actresses are typically great at those.”

“You two were in some type of drama program?” Mr. Walsh asked. “That’s how you know each other?”

We stared at him blankly.

“I’ll have keep that in mind just in case we get clients with an interest in that,” he said. “A few monologues would be a great ice-breaker. What other law firm in this city can offer something like that to their clients?”

Silence.

“Anyway—” Mr. Walsh cleared his throat. “Tyler is one hell of a lawyer, Miss Heritage. His track record honestly reminds me of you before …”

“Before what?” I asked.

“Before your personal issues,” he said. “It’s hard getting over a boyfriend who turned out to be a felon. Sebastian has told me all about your crying spells.”

Tyler raised his eyebrow, and I made a mental note to strangle Sebastian later.

“I’m one hundred percent over Brandon, Mr. Walsh.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” He smiled. “Like I was saying, Tyler won a similar case to the one you’re working on, and I figured you could use some major help. He’ll be first chair, and you’ll be second.”

“Excuse me?” My eyes widened. “The person you hired as a temp gets to replace me on my own case?”