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홈 / Romance / The next door love / CHAPTER TWELVE

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CHAPTER TWELVE

작가: Martina
last update 최신 업데이트: 2026-01-22 16:37:54

Elijah was in my kitchen when it happened—leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled up, arguing with me about whether pancakes should be fluffy or thin.

“Fluffy pancakes are superior,” he insisted, flipping one dramatically.

I crossed my arms. “Thin pancakes cook evenly. Science.”

He grinned. “I don’t trust your science.”

I was about to respond when the knock came at the door.

Elijah frowned. “Were you expecting someone?”

“Nope,” I said, already heading toward the door.

When I opened it, a gi
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  • The next door love   CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

    Elijah was humming while he washed the dishes. That alone made me smile. I leaned against the counter, arms folded, watching him like he was some kind of surprise I still hadn’t fully unwrapped. “You’re staring,” he said without turning. “Can you blame me?” I replied. “You look very… domestic.” He laughed. “Don’t let my mum hear that. She’ll think I’m ready for marriage.” I raised an eyebrow. “And are you?” He turned off the tap and faced me, drying his hands slowly. “Careful, Amara.” “I’m just asking,” I said lightly, though my heart was beating faster. He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell his soap. “I’m ready for things that feel right. And you feel right.” That did something to me. He reached out, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “Come here.” I went willingly. His kiss was warm and unhurried, like he had nowhere else to be. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. “So,” he said softly, “about meeting my mum.” I laughed nervously. “You

  • The next door love   CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

    Elijah didn’t let go of my hand the entire morning. Even when we brushed our teeth side by side, even when he reached for his shirt, his fingers stayed linked with mine like letting go wasn’t an option anymore. “You know,” I said, watching him struggle to pull a T-shirt over his head with one hand, “this is very impractical.” He grinned. “Worth it.” We ended up back on the bed, not sleeping, just lying there—faces close, legs tangled, his thumb tracing slow lines on my arm like he was memorizing me. “You’re very touchy today,” I teased. “Correction,” he said softly. “I’m comfortable.” That word again. Comfort. I shifted closer, resting my head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady, calm. “I like mornings with you,” I admitted. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he replied. “Because I want a lot more of them.” His hand slid to my waist, firm but gentle, pulling me fully against him. There was no rush, no urgency—just warmth and closeness that felt intentional. “You feel diff

  • The next door love   CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

    I woke up before Elijah. That alone felt strange. I lay there for a while, watching him sleep. His face was relaxed, no tension, no walls. One arm was stretched toward me like even in sleep, he was reaching. I smiled to myself. So this is what peace looks like. I gently slipped out of bed and went to the kitchen. I wasn’t really planning breakfast, just tea. But while the kettle was boiling, I felt arms wrap around my waist. “Good morning,” Elijah murmured, his voice still rough with sleep. “You scared me,” I laughed softly. “Liar,” he said, resting his chin on my shoulder. “You like it.” “Maybe a little,” I admitted. He kissed the side of my neck, slow and warm. “You didn’t wake me.” “I didn’t want to,” I said. “You looked… calm.” He turned me around to face him. “That’s because I was with you.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re already starting.” “Starting what?” “Being sweet before breakfast.” He smiled. “That’s when it works best.” We ended up making breakfast together—b

  • The next door love   CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

    By the time Zara left that evening, the house felt quieter—but not empty.Elijah stayed.Not because I asked him to.Because it felt natural.We were in the kitchen, washing dishes together. I rinsed; he dried.“You know,” I said, “this feels very… domestic.”He smiled. “Is that a bad thing?”“No,” I replied quickly. “It’s just new.”He leaned against the counter. “New can be good.”I glanced at him. “You’re not scared of that word, are you?”“Domestic?” he teased.“No,” I said, rolling my eyes. “New.”He thought for a moment. “I’m not scared when it’s with you.”That made me pause.I turned off the tap. “You’re very sure of yourself.”He shrugged lightly. “I’m sure of us.”We moved to the living room and sat on the couch, close but comfortable. His arm rested along the back of the couch, his fingers brushing my shoulder every now and then.“Zara likes you,” I said.He laughed. “I feel like that’s a big achievement.”“It is,” I agreed. “She doesn’t trust easily.”“I don’t blame her,”

  • The next door love   CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

    Zara stayed the night.Not because she asked—but because I begged.“I just got back to the country,” she said, dropping her bag by the couch. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”I laughed. “I wouldn’t dare.”Elijah smiled. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”Zara raised an eyebrow. “Already leaving?”He chuckled. “I don’t want to interrupt girl time.”I walked him to the door.“Thank you for today,” I said softly.“For what?”“For being patient,” I replied. “For not acting weird.”He smiled. “I’m not competing with anyone. I’m just here.”That made my chest warm.He leaned in and kissed me gently. “Goodnight, Amara.”“Goodnight, Elijah.”When I closed the door, Zara was watching me with a knowing smile.“Don’t start,” I warned.She laughed. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”“You were thinking it,” I accused.“I was,” she admitted. “You look… settled.”“I feel that way,” I said, sitting beside her.She grew quiet for a moment. “You know, when you were with Jason, you were alway

  • The next door love   CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

    Zara didn’t disappear after that conversation.If anything, she became more present.That morning, I woke up to the smell of food and the sound of laughter in the living room. I rubbed my eyes and walked out slowly.“What is happening?” I asked.Zara turned around from the kitchen. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”Elijah stood beside her, holding a spoon. “Your friend is bossy.”“She has always been,” I said, smiling.Zara pointed the spoon at me. “Don’t pretend like you don’t love it.”I laughed and sat at the table. “Why are you both cooking?”“Correction,” Elijah said. “She’s cooking. I’m just trying not to get kicked out of the kitchen.”Zara nodded. “He’s learning.”I watched them and felt something warm settle in my chest. It felt good—seeing two people I cared about in the same space, not clashing, not awkward.Zara placed a plate in front of me. “Eat.”“Yes, ma’am,” I said.Elijah laughed. “She scares me a little.”“She should,” Zara replied. “I protect what I love.”I looked at he

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