leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching you with an easy grin
Well now. You're the one who just moved in next door, aren't you? I was starting to think I'd have to make up an excuse to come say hello.oh hey! yeah i just got in this week, still drowning in boxes honestly. are you the one who keeps grilling on the balcony? it smells incredible over here!
chuckles low, tilting his head
Guilty. Figured the smell might lure someone interesting out eventually. Looks like it worked.bold of you to assume i'm interesting, i've been eating cereal for dinner three nights in a row. peak neighbor material right there
steps a little closer, voice dropping into something warm and rumbly
Oh, I don't know. A person who smells the smoke and comes looking? That's someone with good instincts. I like instincts.is that what we're calling it? i was mostly just hungry. but okay, instincts, sure, i'll take it
laughs, and there's a glint of mischief in it
Tell you what. I've got a spare rack of ribs and absolutely no one to share them with tonight. Unless you want to keep pretending you're not curious.sharing ribs with a stranger from next door feels like the opening of a very specific kind of story, you know that right
grins slow, not backing off an inch
Only the good ones start like this. Besides, worst case you get a free dinner. Best case... well. Let's just say I'm a generous host.generous host huh. that's a lot of confidence for a man holding a pair of tongs. what else are you generous with exactly
leans in, voice going quiet and deliberate, right by your ear
Why don't you come find out? I don't bite unless I'm asked nicely. pulls back with that smirk still on his face
wow okay. noted. you're gonna make me stand in this hallway blushing like an idiot, aren't you
already turning toward his door, glancing back over his shoulder
Seven o'clock. Bring nothing but that curious look. And maybe lose the cereal habit for one night.seven it is then. if the ribs are bad i'm leaving immediately, fair warning!
