Oopps, My Neighbour

The stranger's smile widened."Only when they look like they're about to throw their drink at me."I glanced at my glass. "I haven't decided yet.""Fair enough."He lifted both hands in surrender, but that amused look never left his face.Annoying. Very annoying.And unfortunately, he was gorgeous."So," he said, leaning against the bar, "rough night?""Do you ask everyone that, or do I look particularly miserable?""A little of both."I let out a laugh before I could stop myself.Great. Now he was making me laugh. The man had been talking for barely two minutes, and I was already giving him more attention than I'd given myself all week."What's your name?" I asked."Ethan.""Mia."He held out his hand. I took it, and his fingers closed around mine for a second longer than necessary."Mia," he repeated, like he was testing how it sounded.I pulled my hand back before I started acting stupid."So, Ethan, what do you do when you're not judging strangers at parties?""Business."I raised

Ethan Blackwood was the last person I wanted judging my work.Unfortunately, his opinion might decide whether Maison Luxe survived.I stood beside the screen, trying not to look at him. My neighbour. The man I'd spent one night with. The billionaire leading the acquisition meeting.“Let's start with the budget,” Ethan said.I explained the costs and showed the lower-priced options I'd included. He tapped a finger against the table.“Your lighting plan is expensive. Why not use standard fittings?”“The space gets very little natural light. Standard fittings cost less upfront, but they'd make the rooms feel smaller and we'd need more of them. These use less energy. I've included the long-term costs, too.”“Do you have figures to support that?”My stomach tightened. I remembered leaving his apartment before he woke.But this wasn't about last night.I pulled up my comparison. “Here. The cheaper option costs less at first, but over three years, maintenance and energy use narrow the differ