Page 14 of Never Kiss Your Neighbors

“I know you didn’t mean any harm.”

When we check in at the vet, the receptionist warns that we may need to wait an hour or more to see the doctor. I guess it’s a good thing that Goldfish isn’t sick enough to be their top priority. He didn’t throw up during the trip here, either. Another positive sign, I hope.

We take seats in a back corner of the waiting area, and after sniffing everything his leash will let him reach, Goldfish finally lies down beside Stella’s chair with his chest resting on her foot, and falls asleep.

After a few minutes of silence, Stella asks, “How long have you lived in the neighborhood?”

“Almost two years,” I tell her. “Did you just move in recently?” When she nods, I ask, “How do you like it so far?”

“It’s nice. Pretty quiet.”

“It’s good except for marshmallows flying into your yard, right?” Wyatt quips.

She smiles and nods, and it suddenly occurs to me that she probably has no idea why we were flinging marshmallows around.

“We’re content creators,” I tell her.

She lifts her brows. “Is that right?”

“That’s what we were doing with the marshmallows. Having a battle for online content.”

“Oh, do you do kids videos?”

“Not exactly,” I say, and Wyatt shoots me a look that I can’t quite read.

“Is that why the woman at the grocery store wanted a picture with you?” When I nod, she says, “You must be pretty popular.”

“Our channel’s been growing nicely.”

Just then, Goldfish makes a low growling sound followed by a quiet bark, but he’s still asleep, lying on his side, his legs twitching.

“He’s dreaming,” Stella explains. “Probably imagining himself chasing marshmallows around the yard.”

I’m grateful she’s making jokes about the situation, despite her worry.

“How old is your daughter?” I ask.

“Six.”

“Are you divorced?”

In response to my question, Wyatt gives me another look that’s much easier to read.You are an idiot,he says without words. I give him a look back:Can’t blame a guy for trying.

“Never married,” she says, with no other explanation. Sounds good to me, though I imagine it probably hasn’t been easy raising a child without a dad. Hopefully, her friend has been a good support.

Though I’m in no hurry to end our conversation, the vet ends up calling for us sooner than expected. “Want us to go back with you?” I ask Stella.

“No, but thanks. I’ll meet you back out here.”

As soon as she walks off, Wyatt says, “You just can’t stop, can you?”

I shrug. “She’s gorgeous. Besides, I’m just trying to get a clear picture of her relationship status. What’s wrong with that?”

“She already turned you down once.”

“I was just a random stranger in a grocery store this morning. Now, I’m her neighbor.”

Wyatt appears to consider that for a moment, then says, “Guess what?”

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