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John flinches at the words but seems otherwise unphased. He offers me a reassuring smile. “I’m off duty.”

I’m not sure if the words are for me or Bran, but I shrug a shoulder and offer a hand. “Cinnamon. I live in 3D.”

John’s bright blueberry eyes light up behind his glasses as he takes my hand. His calloused hand envelopes mine. “You’re just across the hall,” he advises with an easy smile. “John Smith. 3B.”

I want to make some witty response about it being a small world, but my tongue is tied as his vanilla scent wafts into my lungs. As his full lips twitch in amusement. As the muscles of his forearms tighten.

When is the last time I got laid?

I rub my thighs discreetly together, the hot Florida air causing them to stick more than usual.

“Don’t fall into that trap, man. She’s bad luck and a pain in the ass, I’m telling you!” Bran interjects from beside us.

I jolt, releasing John’s hand and side-stepping my car. Attempting to put space between us.

“Bran, give it a break. Surely you can’t blame her for your misfortune.” John shakes his head in amusement. His licorice hair falls behind his glasses, into his hypnotic eyes, before he is forced to swipe it back again.

“You’ll see.” Bran is marching away now. “This isn’t over, Cinnamon.” He shouts over his shoulder as he goes.

I become acutely aware that it is late. That the dress I wear is now stained with buttermilk and burger grease. That Olive will want all the details of my first meeting.

That I never asked what I am supposed to be cooking.

“I have to take my dog on a walk, want to come with me?” John offers.

I think he must see the confusion that fills me because he adds on.

“I think giving Bran some time to cool off might be a good idea,” he adds. “Wait here and I’ll grab her and come back down.”

He’s right.

I know that Bran in this mood is likely to continue pestering me if I go into my apartment. But also…this is a stranger. Our neighborhood isn’t the best.

But he’s a detective, surely it will be fine.

“Heard.”

***

“You have the CUTEST WEEN!” I squeal as John comes back down the steps carrying a loaf of dog under his arm.

The sun is setting now, but the heat hasn’t gone anywhere with it… If anything, it’s worse.

John quirks his biteable lips. “Do I?”

My cheeks tinge pink as I realize what has fallen out of my mouth. “Your dog.”

The dachshund wriggles away from him as he makes it to the last step and beelines it straight for me, their leash offering just enough that when I bend down, they jump on me.

“Beanie, be a good girl. You know better than that.”

“Beanie!” I coo, offering her all the love. I don’t look away from her as I speak. “I always wanted a dog but…”

My heart suddenly weighs a thousand pounds as I untangle from Beanie and get to my feet.

“But what?” John’s voice is closer now, and I jump at the proximity. I somehow manage to hit my tailbone against a pillar that popped up out of nowhere.

I offer a single wince to dispel the now throbbing part of my body.