Page 54 of Doctor Neighbor

Standing outside Cole's apartment, I take a deep breath before knocking. I hear Maddie's excited voice from inside, followed by Cole's gentle shushing. The door swings open, and the aroma of home-cooked lasagna washes over me.

Cole stands there, hair still wet and curlier than usual, maybe from her shower or still from her dip in the pool, or both. She has a welcoming smile on her face, a notable difference from the look she gave me at the theme park two weeks ago.

"Right on time," she says, stepping aside to let me in. "Come on in, dinner's almost ready.”

EIGHTEEN

Cole

6:37 pm

I settle into my seat at the dinner table, still wearing my navy blue apron. The aroma of fresh lasagna fills the air, mingling with the scent of garlic bread. Buster sits across from me, his eyes twinkling as he looks at the spread.

"This looks amazing, Cole," he says, his smile warm and genuine.

Maddie, seated between us, bounces in her chair. "Can we eat now, Mommy? Please?"

I can't help but laugh. "Of course, sweetie. Dig in."

As we serve ourselves, I watch Buster interact with Maddie. He listens intently as she rambles about her day at preschool, nodding and asking questions at just the right moments. Seeing how easily he’s slipped into our little world is heartwarming.

"And then we painted with our fingers!" Maddie exclaims, waving her hands for emphasis.

Buster chuckles. "Wow, that sounds like fun. Did you get messy?"

"So messy!" Maddie giggles.

I feel a warmth spreading through my chest that has nothing to do with the steaming lasagna. This feels right as the three of us share a meal, laugh, and talk. It's domestic in a way I never expected, but I find myself craving more of it.

Buster compliments my cooking as we eat, and I feel a flutter in my stomach. "This is delicious, Cole. I haven't had a home-cooked meal like this in ages."

"Well, you're welcome anytime," I say, surprising myself with how much I mean it.

Our eyes meet over Maddie's head, and for a moment, everything else fades away. There's a connection here, something more profound than I'd anticipated. It scares me a little, but it also excites me.

Maddie's voice breaks the spell. "Can Buster come over for dinner every night, Mommy?"

I laugh, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "We'll see, sweetie. I'm sure Mr. Buster has his own plans sometimes."

"Not too many," Buster says softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

8:18 pm

I step out onto the balcony, the lightweight night air a welcome respite after the warmth of Maddie's bedroom. Buster's sitting there, silhouetted against the city lights, and my heart does a little flip.

"Sorry for abandoning you," I say, settling into the chair beside him. "Maddie was extra-wired tonight. It took a few more minutes than usual to settle her down.”

He turns to me, his smile easy and warm. "No worries. I can imagine having a guest for dinner got her all excited."

"You have no idea," I laugh, feeling myself relax. "Thanks again for joining us."

"Are you kidding? Thank you for having me. That lasagna was incredible." He leans back, gesturing at the view. "And this... I've got serious balcony envy. I’d be out here every night if this were my place.”

"I am," I admit, looking out at the twinkling lights. "It's my favorite spot."

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, and I find myself stealing glances at him. The way the soft light plays across his features, the gentle curve of his smile—it’s all so tempting. Part of me wants to lean in, to close the distance between us.

But I hold back—reminding myself that at this point, with my hunch, I am essentially lying to him every moment we spend together, and I don’t tell him.

---