Here you are.” I placed the glass in front of her with a smile. “Anything else I can get you?”

“No, thank you… You’ve already done so much. You really didn’t have to cook me dinner. I don’t want to turn into your charity case.”

“It’s not like that.” I shook my head. “I just thought it would be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. I mean, isn’t that what neighbors are supposed to do?” As I spoke, I started to carve the roast, placing a few slices on a plate for her. I then heaped on a bit of mashed potatoes, praying she liked my cooking. It had been a long time since I had properly set foot in a kitchen.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a look of hunger painted all over her face.

It pained me to think about what this woman must have gone through and what she must still be going through. I wanted to help her, but I sensed that her pride would hold back my advances. Maybe, however, if I gained her trust, she’d be more willing to accept my help.

We ate in silence for a while before I finally cleared my throat, trying to think of a topic to spark some conversation. I had spent most of my life alone. I wasn’t used to making small talk. Most nights, I spent my dinner responding to Jeopardy questions.

This was uncharted territory for me.

“So… tell me about yourself.” I instantly regretted my words as soon as they left my lips.

“There isn’t much to tell,” she answered in a self-diminutive way. “I’m just the woman who lives in 102.”

“Oh, come on, you’re much more than that,” I pressed, unconsciously reaching out and taking her hand in mine. I squeezed it tight and looked into her eyes. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Stacey.”

She didn’t move for a second, just kept looking at me with a thoughtful expression. Her lips parted as if she were about to say something, but then she pulled away, grabbed her knife, and almost violently started cutting her slices of roast into bite-sized pieces. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Oh.” My shoulders sagged.

Great, I had upset her.

I racked my brain, trying to find a solution that could remedy the situation. It was odd. At work, people sometimes called me a genius. I could solve a differential math equation in a matter of seconds. I could hack into most low-level security systems with my eyes closed. I could reassemble the parts of a standard issue Sig Sauer P226 with one hand tied behind my back. But this… talking to an incredibly attractive girl while we ate dinner together… this was rocket science. Actually no, rocket science would probably be easier.

All I could do was stare at her like an idiot.

Well, my attempt at a date was going along fine… just fine.

Why did I even bother?

All too soon, Stacey put down her utensils, finished her glass of wine, and pushed away from the table. “I should get going. Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”

As she got up, all I wanted to do was take her into my arms and stop her from leaving. It was a feeling that nearly overwhelmed me, like a wolf coming alive inside me. This wolf wanted her – wanted her badly.

But somehow, I managed to quell the feeling and politely show her to the door. As soon as I locked the latch, a sense of loneliness washed over me.

Usually, I was content to be by myself. It had never really bothered me… until now.

I nearly ran out the door to chase after her. It was like a part of me needed her – like she was the missing puzzle piece in my life that would give it purpose.

Still, what would a woman like Stacey want with a man like me?

I didn’t have a chance in hell.

So I plopped down on the couch and put The Matrix on. Maybe if I pretended she didn’t exist, this loneliness would go away. But she kept popping up in my mind over and over again. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

With no other option, I headed for bed. At least if I was asleep, she’d have a harder time encroaching into my thoughts. Plus, in the morning, I’d be able to evaluate things with a fresh mind.

* * *

I woke with a start, my eyes wide and the sheets already flung to the side. A second later, I sprung to my feet, adrenaline rushing through my veins.

Missy.

Her wails penetrated through my soul, causing my heart to ache.

Something was wrong.

I could feel it.

Without bothering to put on proper clothes, I dashed over to Stacey’s apartment in my pajamas.

I knocked.

No answer.

Missy continued to cry.

“Stacey! It’s me, open up!”

Still no answer.

Had something happened to Stacey?

“Stacey! Please, let me in. Let me help!” I begged through the door, banging on it. At this point, I didn’t care if I woke up the whole apartment complex. I needed to know that she was okay. There was this alpha instinct stirring up inside me that I had never felt before. I felt like it was my duty to keep her safe.

I took a few steps back, about to break down the door when it swung open.

Stacey stood there, the baby cradled in her arms. “Please… you have to drive us to the hospital. She’s burning up, and I don’t know what to do… She won’t stop crying. I think something’s wrong. She won’t eat.” She rattled out the words, her voice shaking with fear for her baby’s wellbeing.

“Stay here,” I ordered, dashing back into my apartment and grabbing my car keys.

Deep down, I knew there was no time to waste.

Missy was counting on me.

And I’d be damned if I let her down.