The Dragon Next Door

By Holly Day

Adrian Green’s new next-door neighbor isn’t really a dragon, but he does snarl an awful lot.

The first time Adrian saw Lorcan Walsh, he knew he needed Adrian’s help. Lorcan has a fractured leg and an empty apartment. Luckily, Adrian doesn’t mind helping him fill his lair with gems, and Doris’s second-hand shop has everything a dragon could possibly want.

The problem is, Lorcan doesn’t seem to want his apartment decorated, and sneaking presents past a grumpy dragon isn’t easy.

All Adrian wants is to cheer Lorcan up, but when Lorcan’s ex appears at the door, Adrian fears not even vintage coffee cups will get them their fairy-tale ending. What if the way to a dragon’s heart isn’t lined with treasures?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Sep 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646568970

Holly Day

Holly Day and Sherman Wick are the authors of several books about the Twin Cities. Sherman Wick received his BA in history from the University of Minnesota and has been a member of the Minnesota Historical Society for several decades. Holly Day has worked as a freelance writer for local and national publications for over twenty-five years and teaches writing classes at the Loft Literary Center.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Adrian Green leaned over the balcony railing to watch a bearded man on crutches snarl at a man carrying a moving-box.

You’ll fall over. Jesse, his former roommate, and now across-the-hall neighbor, rolled his eyes. Adrian didn’t see him roll his eyes, since he was watching the bearded dragon and his lover below, but he didn’t need to see him to know.

I will not. He leaned over a bit more to see how they’d manage to get through the door when one of them carried a box and the other was on crutches. He went up on tiptoe and tried to see farther below the balcony.

Adrian, for fuck’s sake! Jesse grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back. You’re giving me a heart attack.

Adrian huffed. He hadn’t been close to falling over.

Do you think they’ll move in next door? He hoped they were a couple. It would be awesome not to be the only gay guy in the building. That way Mrs. Henderson would have to post her pamphlets about God’s wrath in two mail slots instead of one. It would do her good.

There is no other apartment available, is there? Jesse sat down on the balcony chair behind Adrian and reached for a pack of cigarettes. Adrian made a gagging sound and was again rewarded with an eye roll. Jesse shook one out and put it in his mouth.

Think of my flowers. Adrian gestured at the beautiful orange chrysanthemum he’d bought the day before.

We’re outdoors and the flowers don’t mind.

You’ll die an early death.

Jesse gave him a long look and lit the cigarette. He pulled in, rolled his neck, and blew out a cloud of smoke. Adrian secretly loved it. Cigarettes were bad. He’d tried smoking as a teen but always ended up nauseated. Still, smoking was sexy.

Smelled terrible though.

I’m more likely to die of you leaning over railings than I am from a few cigarettes.

Adrian ignored him.

A few minutes later, the balcony door next to Adrian’s opened, and he gestured wildly to Jesse. There was someone in the empty apartment.

Could be worse. The deep voice had Adrian swallow a squeal which Jesse somehow knew and shook his head at. The voice—the man had to work with audio. He had to, hiding a voice like that from the world should be illegal.

Jesse put out his cigarette and stood.

What are you doing?

Jesse frowned. I’m hungry, so I’m gonna go home and eat.

No, you’re not.

Jesse shook his head. I’m not?

No! Adrian threw his hands in the air. We have to go over there and welcome them to the building. Don’t sigh! He could do without Jesse’s sighing.

It’s their first time here, and it’s a tiny apartment. I doubt two grown men are gonna move in there.

How did you know it was two grown men?

Jesse shook his head. A bearded dragon and his lover?

I never said that. Had he?

You did. Whatever swishes through your mind usually comes out your mouth.

Adrian didn’t respond. Jesse was exaggerating, he always did.

Come on now. It won’t hurt you to say hi. Adrian grabbed his arm and pulled him through the living room and out into the hallway. He took the three steps from his door to the dragon and his lover’s and knocked.

Jesse didn’t move, but Adrian could tell by the stillness alone he wasn’t pleased.

The door opened, and Adrian came face to face with a forty-something beardless man with piercing blue eyes.

Yes?

Erm…Hi. Adrian waved but regretted it before his hand started moving. His hands always moved when he was nervous. I’m Adrian, and this here is Jesse. He gestured at Jesse. We’re your next-door neighbors.

The man didn’t show much reaction, but there was a slight widening of his eyes, then he nodded.

I live there. Jesse gestured at his door. Adrian lives there. He pointed at Adrian’s door. Let us know if you need help with anything.

Adrian smiled until he realized Jesse had turned around and was heading toward his apartment.

Jesse!

Jesse gave him a look over his shoulder and sighed. Welcome to the building. Then he shrugged at Adrian.

Sorry. Adrian grimaced at the man. He’s a nice guy, but he’s a bit impaired when it comes to social skills.

He’s not the only one.

Adrian

Reviews for The Dragon Next Door

[corgikitten · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very sweet story but super short. I would have loved to read bit more about these two

[Stephanie Windon · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was pretty confusing honestly then bam it's one year later.