Read More Than Neighbors for Free Online Page B

elegant figure disappear through the glass door. She wasn’t surprised that Leo hated her. She knew that the way she took men down a peg or two sometimes rubbed them the wrong way, but she was convinced that Leopold Sinclair needed a double helping of humility.
    She’d never seen such a serious man, so restrained and so tediously polite. She still couldn’t understand how a guy like that had been able to kiss her so passionately on the boat; he seemed chillier than an industrial freezer. And then there was his fabulous, marvelous, beautiful girlfriend. After only a glance, Cat knew whom she was up against, and she had no doubt that the blonde was one of those women who would devote themselves to nurturing the most unpleasant aspects of their unfortunate boyfriends’ personality.
    Leo Sinclair’s hardly an unfortunate wretch , she admitted to herself, but for some reason, I’m certain he’s unhappy, and what’s more, I’m convinced that he’d be much better off without that cold, calculating, nasty piece of work. However beautiful she may be .
    Certain of her good intentions toward her poor neighbor, she whistled a cheerful tune and climbed the granite entry stairs to the imposing steel and glass apartment building two at a time, with Milo following close behind.

CHAPTER 5
    The exhibition opening was going well. The gallery had already sold many of the paintings, and Catalina’s students were euphoric. Most of the partygoers were the students’ parents and siblings, all of whom had expressed the immense pleasure it brought them to see their children, brothers, and sisters so happy and proud. Diego, the owner of the art gallery, put an arm around Cat’s waist and whispered in her ear: “A victory, my angel.”
    She turned to him with a smile. “It’s been a huge success. We’ve already raised almost half of what we need to renovate the building. Thank you so much, Diego—I don’t know what we’d have done without your help.”
    Just then, Cat’s friend Fiona walked over. “Gosh, Cat, some of these students of yours can’t keep their hands to themselves,” she complained, trying to shake off a short boy with large eyes and a perpetual smile.
    “Martin, sweetheart, leave Fiona in peace. She doesn’t want to play with you right now.”
    The boy nodded and, still smiling, headed for another girl. “Martin loves pretty girls. I think your hair dazzled him.” Cat admired her friend’s red curls.
    As usual, Diego didn’t miss a chance to needle her. “Don’t complain, Fiona, the one time a man pays you some attention . . .”
    “ Ha ha , very funny.” Fiona shot daggers at the gallery owner. The pair had been in a stormy relationship for almost three years, until Fiona left him for one of his young artists. Since then, they couldn’t see each other without exchanging a gibe or two.
    “Peace, darlings, don’t start,” Cat pleaded, acting as mediator.
    “Good evening, Catalina.”
    Surprised, she turned to discover Leopold behind her, dressed in a classic black tuxedo and a blindingly white shirt that contrasted with his bronzed skin.
    “Heavens, Leo! I’m so happy to see you. I’d given you up for lost this evening. You’re looking very dapper.” She checked him out admiringly.
    Despite himself, Leopold enjoyed feeling Catalina’s eyes travel over his body. She’d switched her torn jeans and tee for pants and a simple black top, jazzed up with a brightly colored gauze scarf around her neck. Her hair was shimmering with golden highlights, and Leopold couldn’t help but think that, though she might not wear sophisticated designer clothes, his neighbor always managed to look stunning.
    At that moment, Fiona cut in, gazing up provocatively at Leo through her long eyelashes. “Hi. Remember me? We met the other night at the party. Cat, you should introduce me properly.”
    “Careful everyone, the local man-eater’s sharpening her claws.” The barely veiled hostility in Diego’s words