Page 49 of The Neighbor

“Ready for a drink? White wine goes best with chicken, or so they say, but I only have red. Are you okay with that?” I ask, practically choking on the bile rising in my throat at having to sit here and pretend to be nice to this monster.

Adam nods, and I see in his eyes he thinks I’m flirting. Good. I want him to think that’s what tonight is.

I stand from the table and have to brace myself because my legs nearly give out. A mixture of excitement and fear coursesthrough my veins, making me shaky. Stay calm, Caroline. You’ve waited years for this night. You can do this.

He cannot stay alive one more day. He must pay for what he’s done. He will pay. Tonight.

As I pour two glasses of merlot, I try to calm myself, but my heart is racing like it’s out of control. I have to get control of myself. I’ve come too far. I can’t screw this up now.

Adam says something about not having any good wine in a long time, and I look over to my left to see him cleaning up the dishes from dinner. He has the polite guest routine down pat. I’m sure he’s fooled many a person with this little act of his.

Not me, though. I know who he is. He’s the same person who wrapped his hands around my sixteen-year-old sister’s neck and choked the life out of her.

I swirl the wine in his glass around once and then twice before checking to make sure it looks like it should. Perfect. My hand shakes, threatening to spill some of it onto the countertop, so I set it down and take a deep breath.

You’ve waited for so long to finally be here, Caroline. Don’t blow it now. Keep calm. The finish line is so close.

“Everything okay over there?” he asks with a chuckle, probably thinking he’s being funny or clever.

I bite my tongue for a second or two and then answer, “All good here.”

When I turn around, he’s in his chair at the table looking as comfortable as can be. It’s like he thinks he belongs here. Leaning against the back of the chair, he smiles up at me when I hand him the glass of wine that will be the beginning of his undoing.

“Thanks. It feels like this is an occasion for a toast.”

I sit down across from him and nod. It certainly does. Auspicious moments like this definitely require some words.

“It does. I’m struggling to come up with anything clever at the moment, though. I’m not good at these kinds of things. Not enough practice, I guess.”

Lifting his glass in the air, he grins and says, “To new friends and her new house. Congratulations to you, Caroline.”

I clink my glass off his and watch as he brings his glass to his lips. It feels like it happens in slow motion, like someone in control of the world is watching and wants to let me enjoy every delicious second of my revenge.

The dark red wine shifts in his glass and then slowly slides past his lips. I wait to see if he senses there’s anything strange tasting about it, but it never happens. He takes a second, bigger sip and then a third before he sets the glass down on the table in front of him.

“That’s very good wine.”

“Believe it or not, it’s from Trader Joe’s. I had it at my going away party a few months ago and loved it, but I was surprised when I asked my friend where she bought it from, and she told me Trader Joe’s. I swear you can get anything at that place.”

“Really? That’s interesting. I don’t think I’ve been to a Trader Joe’s in ages. I guess I have a reason to go back now.”

Part one of my plan is complete. Now I need to set part two into motion.

Right on time just as I asked her to, Kimmy knocks on the front door. I smile at him and shrug as I stand up to answer it. “Looks like it’s nosy neighbor time. Something tells me we should have done this at your house. I’ll be right back.”

When I open the door, Kimmy leans in and whispers, “Everything going okay? I’m here just as you asked.”

“Thanks. Everything is going perfectly.”

Obviously confused, she asks, “Why did you want me to come here now?”

I press my finger to my lips and whisper, “You know how men are. If you don’t put obstacles in their way, they think things are going to be easy.”

Kimmy’s eyes open wide, and then she smiles like she’s impressed by that. “Oh, that’s a good idea. You can’t let men think things are easy. Trust me. If I could go back in time and start over with Tim again, I’d make sure he knew that. You’re so smart, Caroline.”

“Thanks, Kimmy. I’ll let you know how everything goes. Have a good night.”

She looks around me and grins. “Oh, you too. Night!”