More Than Neighbors by Isabel Keats Read Free Book Online Page B

appreciate you coming.” Catalina gave him one of those sweet smiles that made his stomach flutter strangely.
    “And I’m delighted I came. Good night, Catalina.”

CHAPTER 6
    Leo opened the door to his apartment, turned on the light, and looked around; everything was as it always was, gleaming, not a thing out of place, and for the first time since he’d lived there, he thought his home felt sterile. Unsettled, he shook his head, trying to erase that absurd thought. He liked his home; he’d hired one of the best interior designers in London to decorate it, and he had been pleased with the result. A couple of comments from your eccentric neighbor, Sinclair, and you change your mind as quickly as Berlusconi changes twenty-something mistresses , he scolded himself.
    He couldn’t understand what was happening to him lately. He considered himself a reasonably happy man; he had planned his life around very clear goals and had steered toward them without drifting a single millimeter off course. And yet, for a while now, he’d felt a niggling sense of dissatisfaction, as if something was missing. But that has nothing to do with Catalina Stapleton , he told himself. It’s just shock. The shock of realizing that not only do I not love Alison, who I was considering marrying until only a few weeks ago, but that I don’t even like her.
    Leopold had always felt completely self-aware, and he was at a loss as to how he’d managed to deceive himself about Alison for the last two years. Earlier that night at the gala dinner, the proverbial scales had fallen from his eyes. All of a sudden, sitting beside her at their elegant table, surrounded by the cream of English society, he had realized that Alison’s shrill laugh set his nerves on edge. Later that evening, she had made a couple of comments that made him sit even more rigidly in his chair. Everyone else laughed, but for the first time, he became aware that Alison’s sense of humor was offensive and cruel.
    He recognized that she was a very beautiful woman and that men envied him for being with her. Perhaps that was why he’d been blind until now: he was flattered knowing that others coveted what he possessed. His whole life, he’d been proud of his successes, both professionally and personally, and yet, that evening, everything had suddenly seemed absurd, and he’d felt a terrible desire to flee the gala as quickly as possible.
    Alison flew into a rage when he told her he wanted to leave. For once, she’d been unable to hide her feelings, and she exploded with such anger that Leopold became even tenser than he’d already been. It took all of his restraint to remain impassive to her comments, and he simply told her as politely as possible that he was leaving and that she could either stay there or let him accompany her home. Alison decided to stay, and immediately began flirting with one of Leopold’s biggest rivals, a man who’d been after her for months. Though incredulous, Leo realized he couldn’t care less. Profoundly relieved, he left the party and drove to the art gallery.
    Upon arriving, he discovered Catalina in a corner with Diego, talking. Seeing the gallery owner’s arm around her waist, he stopped dead in his tracks and stood watching them for some time, unnoticed. He couldn’t discern even the slightest hint of flirtation in Cat; she was simply a woman who emanated such warmth that everyone around her gravitated toward her like moths to a flame. He noticed how readily she offered friendly words and warm gestures to everyone who approached her, how affectionate she was.
    It wasn’t that he liked Catalina Stapleton. Far from it. It was just that something about her was refreshing. Despite his irritation at her behavior, when he was near her, his lingering sense of dissatisfaction immediately disappeared.
    Balderdash , he muttered to himself as he took off his tux and donned his pajamas.
    He was brushing his teeth when he suddenly froze, his eyes fixed on