Fresh Start

Claire Parker didn't move to a new city for love.

She moved for a fresh start.

A twenty-something, armed with a brand-new job and a carefully packed life, Claire is determined to prove she can stand on her own. New apartment. New career. New rules. Falling for the guy next door is not one of them.

Especially when that guy is Aiden Fox.

Aiden is tall, gorgeous, and infuriatingly rude. He blasts music through the wall, and seems to have mastered the art of emotional unavailability.

But thin walls have a way of blurring first impressions.

What starts as mutual annoyance turns into late-night conversations, unexpected laughter, and a friendship neither of them saw coming. Beneath Aiden's gruff exterior is a man still bruised by past heartbreak, one who keeps love at arm's length, even as he's drawn closer to Claire with every shared moment.

As attraction deepens and defenses fall, Claire must decide if she's brave enough to risk her heart in a city that already feels uncertain, and Aiden must choose whether running from love is safer than finally letting it in.

Because sometimes, the fresh start you're looking for lives right next door.

~~~Excerpt~~~

"I don't appreciate hearing your sex noises, Neighbor."

"Sex noises?!?" I asked.

"Yeah. The 'yes Simon, that's the spot' and 'oh that feels so good Simon' and all the moaning that went along with it," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Um, for your information, those weren't sex noises, you asshole. I was getting a massage, trying to work out all my sore muscles from moving and relax before I start a new job on Wednesday."

"Well it definitely sounded like sex to me."

"How long has it been since you had sex anyway? Don't answer that. I don't want to know. By the way, that's not what I sound like during sex, but you can bet I will be a lot louder the next time I do have sex, just for you."

"Great. I will work on a new rage playlist then," he smirked with a wink and a turn. "Nice robe, by the way. Super hot."