Frustration surged, but I tried to stay calm. "Don’t play dumb, Kendra. I know what I saw in the park. I know what I felt."
Kendra shrugged, her eyes still fixed on the window. "I was having a bad day, okay? You just happened to be there, and I already thanked you for your time. That’s all."
I stepped closer, my voice barely above a whisper. "That’s not all, Kendra. We both know it."
She turned to face me, her expression guarded. She exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair. The movement was absent-minded, but it drew my gaze like a magnet, holding me captive. "I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Antonio. But I assure you, there was nothing."
The sight of her touching her hair stirred something inside me—something beyond attraction. I found myself wanting to reach out, to feel those strands between my fingers. But I turned my focus to the conversation.
I took another step closer, my eyes locked on hers. "Don’t lie to me, Kendra. I saw the way you looked at me. I felt the way you responded to me."
Kendra’s expression turned icy. "You’re imagining things, Antonio. I was down, and you gave me a hug that was comforting in the moment. When I thanked you, I was just being polite.
And right now, I have to warn you… that politeness is wearing off. So unless you want a fight, you’ll back off."
I laughed, a low, husky sound, ignoring her attempt at a threat. "Polite? You call that polite? I call it attraction, Kendra. And I know you felt it too."
Kendra’s eyes darted around, searching for an escape. But I had her cornered. "Fine," she spat, her voice laced with anger. "Maybe I did feel something. But it meant nothing. It was just a momentary lapse of judgment."
I smiled, slow and mischievous. "A momentary lapse of judgment? That was a pretty long lapse, Kendra."
I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted her to admit she felt something too. It was strange, but somehow it was the most natural thing in the world for me to express my feelings to her.
Her face twisted in a snarl, her teeth bared. "Get out," she spat.
But I stood my ground. "Kendra, I’m not—"
"Get out of my apartment before I call the police," she snapped.
I smiled again, this time sadder. "Okay, Kendra. I’ll leave. But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot."
As I turned to leave, I could feel her eyes on me, boring into my back. I knew I had gotten under her skin, both in a good and bad way. I was brimming with an excitement I didn’t fully understand. But I also knew I didn’t want to make things harder for myself.
We had already bickered enough for a lifetime, and I wasn’t looking forward to more of that. Just as I reached the door, I turned back, my eyes locking onto hers. "Kendra…"
"What?!" she snapped, getting out her phone to make good on her threat.
"Wait, wait!" I raised my hands in surrender. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you like that. I was wrong."
Her expression softened slightly as she looked up from her phone, her guard dropping for a moment. "What are you apologizing for, Antonio?"
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I’m apologizing for not respecting your boundaries. I was wrong to push anything on you."
Kendra raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "You think an apology will fix this?"
I shook my head. "No, I don’t. But I’m hoping it’s a start.
Can we call a truce, Kendra?
Can we start over?"
"Why?"
"How about because we’re neighbors? And the good book says to be at peace with everyone."
Kendra studied me for a moment, her eyes searching mine. Then, to my surprise, she nodded. "Okay, Antonio. Truce."
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "Thanks, Kendra. I promise I’ll respect your boundaries from now on."
