The Girl Next Door, (Paperback)

<p>Jacob "Jake" Miles and Kathryn "Kate" Greene grew up next to each other, becoming friends at age 6. They played together and went to school together until Jake got to the age where it wasn't cool to have a girl as a friend. In high school, Kate wasn't popular due to her tall height, braces, and glasses. Jake was a football star and asked pretty cheerleader Ann Powers to the prom. Kate has liked Jake since she was a kid, but Jake wasn't looking at her like that. Their parents hoped their kids would get together, but Jake rebuffed his mechanic dad Rick's advice, Rick comparing Ann to a flashy Corvette that was high maintenance and Kate a Camaro while "plain" if loved would last him the rest of his life.</p><p> </p><p>Rick and Jake have an argument and Jake goes to college, where he lives with Ann. Jake gets an injury and can no longer play ball. Ann cheats on him and dumps him. Rick passes away, as does Kate's mom Jennifer. Rick's mom Marie finds love with Kate's dad Chuck. After college, Jake after drifting returns to his hometown and gets a job at his old school as the football coach. He takes the team to back to back state championships and gets noticed. He's up for the head coach job at state university, a 6-figure job. Jake has never dated again after what happened with Ann. Ten years after high school, one morning at his favorite diner, he sees a very attractive brunette in line. As she turns, he sees familiar blue eyes behind her glasses. It's Kate, all grown up and no longer the girl from school with braces. She's now a beautiful and influential lobbyist- that still pines for the love she never found 10 years ago. As the two reacquaint themselves, Kate uses her political connections to make sure Jake gets a fair shot at the university job.</p><p> </p><p>Meanwhile, Ann after a series of failed relationships notices Jake's success and income potential, so she tries to re-insert herself into his life- no matter the cost. Jake made the wrong choice once, will he make the right one this time?</p>

• The Girl Next Door, (Paperback)
• Author: Paul Gunnut
• ISBN: 9798235091023
• Format: Paperback
• Publication Date: 2026-05-10
• Page Count: 298