The Billionaire Next Door Hates Me

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 — The Apartment Mistake

SOPHIE'S POV

Sophie knew something was wrong when the building manager looked at her like she'd just announced she was moving into his bathtub.

He stood behind the reception desk, staring at his computer.

Then at her.

Then back at the computer.

Sophie shifted her weight.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Mr. Collins cleared his throat.

"I'm not."

"You absolutely are."

"I'm simply checking something."

"You've been checking something for four minutes."

He clicked the mouse again.

Sophie folded her arms.

"I would like to point out that I have already had one argument with my neighbor, nearly lost a parking war, and dropped my kitchen utensils in an elevator today. Whatever you're about to tell me, please consider that I've reached my daily limit."

Mr. Collins winced.

"About that..."

"Oh, no."

He pushed his glasses higher.

"There appears to have been an administrative error."

Sophie stared at him.

"What kind of error?"

"A housing allocation error."

"That's a very professional way of saying something went terribly wrong."

He gave her an apologetic smile.

"Your apartment was supposed to be vacant."

Sophie blinked.

"I know. I rented it."

"Yes."

"So what's the problem?"

Mr. Collins hesitated.

"The owner of the apartment has a temporary arrangement with another resident."

Sophie slowly lowered her arms.

"Another resident?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

A familiar voice answered from behind her.

"Me."

Sophie closed her eyes.

Of course.

She turned.

Nathaniel West stood in the lobby wearing a black coat, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone.

He looked irritatingly calm.

Sophie pointed at him.

"You."

His gaze dropped briefly to her finger.

"Me."

Mr. Collins looked between them.

"I'm afraid this is going to be complicated."

"Already is," Sophie muttered.

Nathaniel approached.

"What exactly is the issue?"

Mr. Collins swallowed.

"Mr. West, your executive apartment was scheduled for renovation starting tomorrow. The temporary apartment assigned to you was supposed to be 2207."

Nathaniel's eyes moved toward Sophie.

Her stomach dropped.

"No."

Mr. Collins nodded miserably.

"Unfortunately, your lease and Miss Miller's were both processed for the same unit."

Sophie stared at him.

"Wait."

She pointed at herself.

"My apartment?"

"Yes."

Then at Nathaniel.

"His apartment?"

"Technically..."

"Don't say technically."

Mr. Collins sighed.

"You both have legitimate paperwork."

Silence.

Nathaniel's jaw tightened.

Sophie looked at him.

He looked at her.

She had seen that expression before.

It was the expression of a man who had just discovered the universe had personally betrayed him.

"Absolutely not," Nathaniel said.

Sophie nodded.

"For once, we agree."

Mr. Collins rubbed his forehead.

"The mistake won't be corrected until Monday."

Sophie looked at the calendar on the desk.

Friday.

She stared.

"Monday?"

"Yes."

"That's three days."

"Four nights."

Nathaniel's expression darkened.

"I have meetings."

"I have a job."

"I have security requirements."

"I have a toothbrush."

He looked at her.

She shrugged.

"Important security requirement."

Mr. Collins coughed into his fist.

"The building's guest suites are occupied because of the conference this weekend."

Sophie slowly turned toward Nathaniel.

"No."

He looked at her.

"No."

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

"I do."

"You don't."

"You were going to suggest we share the apartment."

Sophie smiled.

"See? We're communicating already."

His expression could have frozen water.

"That's not happening."

"Excellent. Then I'll sleep in the hallway."

"Fine."

She blinked.

"You'd really let a woman sleep in a hallway?"

Nathaniel stared at her.

"You're manipulating me."

"I'm surviving."

Mr. Collins raised both hands.

"Please. There is another option."

Both of them looked at him.

He hesitated.

"Apartment 2207 has two bedrooms."

Sophie went still.

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed.

"Separate bedrooms?"

"Yes."

"Separate bathrooms?"

"Yes."

"Separate entrances?"

Mr. Collins looked uncomfortable.

"No."

Nathaniel exhaled slowly.

Sophie suddenly found the ceiling fascinating.

"So..."

"No," Nathaniel said.

She looked at him.

"I haven't said anything."

"You were about to."

"I was about to say this could work."

"It won't."

"You haven't even heard my conditions."

"I know your conditions."

"How?"

"Because you look like someone who has conditions."

Sophie stared at him.

Then, despite herself, laughed.

It escaped before she could stop it.

Nathaniel's eyes flicked toward her.

For half a second, he looked surprised.

Not annoyed.

Surprised.

Sophie quickly covered her mouth.

"Sorry."

He looked away.

"You're exhausting."

"And you've known me for less than twenty-four hours."

"I've noticed."

Mr. Collins slid a temporary agreement across the desk.

"Four nights. Separate rooms. No interference with each other's schedules. The building will cover the inconvenience."

Sophie picked up the paper.

"How much is the compensation?"

Mr. Collins named the amount.

Her eyes widened.

That would cover almost half her grocery budget for the month.

Nathaniel noticed.

"You need the money."

Sophie immediately looked at him.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

Her cheeks warmed.

She hated that he had noticed.

She hated even more that he wasn't mocking her.

His voice had softened.

Barely.

Sophie looked back at the agreement.

"I can manage four nights."

Nathaniel's expression hardened again.

"So can I."

"Great."

"Don't sound pleased."

"I'm not."

"You look pleased."

"I always look this good."

His mouth twitched.

Sophie caught it.

"Did you just smile?"

"No."

"You did."

"I didn't."

"You absolutely did."

"Sign the agreement."

She smiled.

"You're adorable when you're lying."

Nathaniel stared at her for two seconds.

Then looked at Mr. Collins.

"I want it noted that I objected."

"Noted," Mr. Collins said.

Sophie signed.

Nathaniel took the pen.

Their fingers brushed when he reached for it.

Both paused.

It was nothing.

Barely a touch.

Still, Sophie pulled her hand away first.

Nathaniel's fingers tightened around the pen.

Neither mentioned it.

They signed the agreement.

Four nights.

Four nights living under the same roof.

Four nights with the man who already irritated her more than anyone she'd met in years.

Sophie picked up her bag.

"Well, Mr. West."

"Nathaniel."

She stopped.

He looked at her.

"If we're sharing an apartment, stop calling me Mr. West."

Something about the request felt strangely personal.

Sophie nodded.

"Fine."

She smiled.

"Nathaniel."

He gave a short nod.

"Sophie."

She walked toward the elevator.

Then turned.

"One more thing."

His expression became suspicious.

"What?"

She pointed toward him.

"Your parking space is still mine."

His eyes closed.

Slowly.

"Good night, Sophie."

She grinned.

"Good night, Nathaniel."

The elevator doors closed between them.

Neither saw the other smile.

And neither knew that by Monday, neither of them would want those four nights to end.