Part 2 .

Don't date your neighbour?

A few days later, you settled onto your porch swing, phone pressed to your ear, catching up with your best friend, Lena, who lived miles away. "And then," you gushed, "he was just... shirtless. Covered in grease, but, like, in a good way. You know?"

Lena's laughter echoed through the line. "Oh my god, you're totally swooning! I told you moving would be good for you."

"He's just... ridiculously handsome," you admitted, twirling a strand of hair. "And his friend, Killer, he's quiet, but there's something about him... mysterious."

"Don't date your neighbor," Lena warned, her voice laced with mock seriousness. "It's a recipe for disaster."

"Oh, hush," you scoffed, but a mischievous glint sparked in your eyes. "Though, now that you mention it..."

The next afternoon, you spotted Kidd tinkering with a sleek, black motorcycle, the sun glinting off his tools. You grabbed a six-pack of cold beer from your fridge, enough for the three of you, and strolled across the street.

"Hey, boys," you called out, a bright smile on your face. "Thought you might need a refreshment break."

Kidd looked up, his eyes lighting up when he saw you. "Well, look who it is," he said, wiping his hands on a rag. "Just in time."

Killer nodded his greeting, a silent acknowledgment, and accepted a beer. The cool cans felt good against your warm hands.

"So," you said, leaning against the fence, "what's the project today?"

"Just giving this beauty a tune-up," Kidd replied, gesturing towards the motorcycle. "She's a bit temperamental."

"Like her owner, then?" you teased, taking a sip of your beer.

Kidd chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Maybe a little," he admitted, his eyes fixed on yours. "But I'm much better behaved when I have good company."

"Oh, is that so?" you purred, raising an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I'm good company?"

"Well," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "you bring beer, you appreciate a man's hard work, and you have a very... distracting smile."

"Distracting?" you echoed, your smile widening. "Is that a compliment, Mr. Kidd?"

"The highest compliment," he replied, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Though, I suppose I could demonstrate my appreciation in other ways."

Killer, who'd been silently observing the exchange, let out a quiet snort, making you both laugh. The tension between you and Kidd crackled with playful energy, a silent acknowledgment of the growing attraction.

"You know," you said, taking another sip of your beer, a playful glint in your eyes, "I've been meaning to ask... are you single, Kidd?"

Kidd paused, a slow grin spreading across his face. He leaned against the motorcycle, his eyes fixed on yours. "Why do you ask?" he purred, his voice low and husky.

"Just curious," you replied, your smile widening. "A girl's gotta know her options, right?"

"Well," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "consider yourself informed. I'm very much single."

"Good to know," you said, a playful tone in your voice. "And just for clarification, 'very much single' means...?"

"Means," he clarified, his gaze holding yours, "that I'm free to be distracted by beautiful neighbors who bring cold beer and ask all the right questions."

A wave of warmth spread through you. "And what if that beautiful neighbor was interested in distracting you?" you asked, your voice dropping to a whisper.

"Then," Kidd replied, his voice equally soft, "I'd say she has excellent taste." He took a step closer, the scent of grease and something uniquely him filling your senses. "And I'd be very interested in being distracted."

Killer, who had been quietly observing the exchange, let out a soft snort, a subtle indication of his amusement. You and Kidd, however, seemed lost in your own little bubble. The air crackled with unspoken tension, a silent acknowledgment of the growing attraction.