The Neighbor: A Romantic Comedy Short Story

By Melinda Wilson

A Romantic Comedy Short Story.

 

Jack McMahon is a neat freak. He owns a bookstore in the small town of Wauchula, Florida and his house is the cleanest, neatest piece of real estate. That is, until Victoria Simpson, his new neighbor, comes into his life with all her not-so-neat habits. Leaving messes everywhere, throwing off his routine, the upside is she is a great cook. He only has to deal with her for four weeks when her plumbing will be fixed and she will be out of his hair, but after spending time with her for that long, will he even want her to leave? 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ocean Light Publishing
• Release date: Dec 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201857295

Book preview

THE Neighbor

A Romantic Comedy Short STORY

Melinda Wilson

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and organizations are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, live or dead, businesses, events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2021 by Ocean Light Publishing

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without direct written permission from the author or the publisher. The only exception is for brief quotations used in reviews or promotions.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 1

Books. Everyone reads them. They take you to another world and help you escape from your everyday life. That is exactly what keeps customers coming back to a little bookstore with a namesake that comes from the bad book puns that bookshops usually sport. Every Book Tells A Story is printed on a wooden sign above the shop.

This particular bookstore’s owner is handsome but very impatient. Jack McMahon stands at the checkout counter. It’s a small store in a small town, with the clientele of its place of residence. It sits in a tiny nook in the middle of the strip of buildings making up downtown Wauchula. Jack’s hands tap on the counter without him noticing. He stares at the shelves surrounding him, not very out of order, but he sees many out of place.

He shoves his hand in his pocket as the single customer in his shop, an older woman in a casual dress, finally approaches the counter.

All set, Mary? He smiles at her warmly.

It was hard, but I had to choose one. You see, Mary replies. You always have so much to choose from!

Always stock out there to find, so I’ll find it! Jack did an awkward little jig with his shoulders.

Ah, I remember when your parents ran the place. It was so lively. She looked around the shop and nodded. Oh, but you are doing a great job in their stead, Jack.

Well, my parents aren’t dead, just not living in town anymore.

Oh, I know, Jackie. I call your mother every day. She asks how the shop is doing.

And you tell her it’s doing well, right?

Oh, of course, Jack. But you know it—

That’s $20. How are you paying?

Mary finishes her sentence as she pulls out