"Hey, dude." Josh slapped hands with Alex. "Where's your stuff?"

"Moving company's bringing it later." Alex side-eyed Jules, who assessed him the way one would a shiny new toy. Besides Josh, Alex was the only guy who'd never fallen for her charms, which intrigued her more. She was a sucker for a good challenge, probably because most guys fell at her feet before she even opened her mouth.

"Wait." You put your hand up, your heart slamming a panicked rhythm against your ribcage. "Moving comp- you're not moving here."

"Actually, he is." Josh slung an arm over your shoulder, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Meet your new neighbour, little sib." Your eyes ping-ponged between him and Alex, who couldn't look more bored by the conversation.

"No." There was only one reason Alex Volkov would leave his cushy D.C. penthouse and move back to Hazel-burg, and I'd bet my new camera it had nothing to do with nostalgia for his college days. "No, no, no, no, no."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes."

You glared at your brother. "I don't need a babysitter. I'm twenty-two years old."

"Who said anything about babysitting" Josh shrugged.

"He's looking after the house for me. I'm moving back in when I return next year, so it makes sense."

"Bullshit. You want him to keep an eye on me."

"That's a bonus." Josh's face softened. "It doesn't hurt to have someone you can rely on when I'm not here, especially given this whole thing with Liam."

You winced at the mention of your ex. Liam had been blowing up your phone since you caught him cheating on you a month and a half ago. He’d even shown up where you worked a few times, begging for another chance.