Eight Secret Nights

By Shoshana David

Someone's been leaving Hanukkah presents on Mara's doorstep.

Sweet presents.

Thoughtful presents.

Mara never gets presents. After all, this is New York. No one leaves anything on your doorstep unless it's an eviction notice. And the gifts definitely aren't that.

Who can her secret admirer be? Her best friend? Her family? The cute guy who just moved in next door? The creep from 7A? Please, dear God, not the last one! Either way, this Hanukkah will be one Mara will be sure never to forget.

This is a standalone novella that is complete with a happy for now ending. No cliffhangers here.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RoseLark Publishing
• Release date: Nov 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386514015

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Eight Secret Nights

By Shoshana David

Copyright © 2018 RoseLark Publishing

All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Day 1

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Morning.

Mara Silver looked up from locking her door to see her newest neighbor, Mr. 7D, stepping out of his apartment. They hadn’t talked since he’d moved in three months ago, but she’d certainly noticed him. After all, it wasn’t every day a cute guy who was just her type—tall, muscular, with deep brown eyes and an even deeper voice—moved in next door. Okay, technically two doors down. Close enough. In a New York apartment building, everyone on her floor might as well be next door.

He’d knocked on her door that first day, asking if he could borrow her scissors. Since I managed to pack mine. In a box. Which needs scissors to open. His cheeks had been pink, his expression rueful. I can’t believe I did that.

She’d laughed and handed him her scissors. Last time I moved, I forgot to label the boxes and couldn’t find my sheets for two days. You’re definitely not alone.

Good to know I’m not the only one who gets overwhelmed by moving. Thanks for the loan. He’d flashed a smile at her, heading back to his apartment with the scissors.

She hadn’t been able to help staring after him. His smile had hit her right to the core. She’d gone from zero to full-blown crush in less than a minute.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t spoken since. He’d left the scissors taped to her door with a note reading, ‘Thanks!’ She’d hoped to catch him in the hallway or elevator, but they seemed to have incompatible schedules. Not that she was stalking her hot neighbor. Nope, not at all. She just… noticed they rarely left their apartments at the same time.

So seeing him today was unusual.

Morning. She shoved her keys into her purse and pressed the elevator button. How are you… Evan, right? She really hoped she’d gotten his name right. She’d been calling him Mr. 7D in her head for weeks.

Yeah, Evan. Evan Bryant. That’s me. His cheeks tinged pink under his blond stubble. And you’re… Mara?

She nodded, pleased he’d remembered her name. Either he was interested in her too… or just really good at names. She hoped it was the former.

Great. And I’m good. He locked his door and came over to join her. He looked like he was dressed for work, in a suit and tie. Unusual, considering it was Sunday. About ready for Christmas. Any exciting vacation plans in your calendar?

Nope, not really. Shaking her head, she shrugged. We’re closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so hey, four day weekend. But someone’s got to man the office, and I’m Jewish and don’t have kids. So... I’ll be working the rest of the week.

Your office is open? He sounded surprised.

A lot of people take off, but yes.

And you have to work? He frowned. That seems unfair.

I took a full week for Thanksgiving. Besides, it’s not too bad. She tucked her purse over her shoulder, freeing a brown lock from the turquoise strap. Her hair always got caught in her bags, but she liked how it looked down. The curse of curly hair. It’s usually a quiet week; I get a lot done.

Any exciting Hanukkah plans, then? The elevator door opened. He gestured for her