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Mandy groans. "This is going to inflate his ego for the entire season."

I glance back at her. "You sure you’ve got that box? I can grab it."

She shifts it slightly. "What, you think I can't carry a few books and a throw blanket?"

"Just trying to be a good neighbor, Little Fields."

"Mandy," she corrects again, but there’s a smile tugging at her lips.

She walks past me toward her apartment, the curve of her mouth daring me to keep up.

I do.

“You went to law school?” I ask, matching her pace as we head down the hallway.

“Yup. Working and studying for the bar now.”

"When is it?"

"July but there's a lot to know. And I work so I need months to prepare."

"Let me guess," I say, watching her adjust the box in her arms. "You’re the overachiever type who’s going to make the rest of us feel like slackers."

She scoffs. "If by 'overachiever' you mean I function like a normal adult while you live on muscle memory and protein powder, then yes."

"Two very important things for a pro hockey player. Essential, really."

"Oh, and let me guess, protein powder and peanut butter straight from the jar count as dinner?"

"Gourmet, if you drizzle some honey on it."

She lifts an eyebrow. "I honestly thought you'd have evolved by now."

"I have," I say, feigning offense. "I'm practically enlightened. I buy vegetables and everything."

She snorts. "You say that like buying vegetables automatically puts you on a higher plane of existence."

"It does if you pair them with quinoa and smug self-satisfaction," I say, giving her a lopsided grin.

She laughs, an actual surprised laugh that hits me dead center. "Wow. Look at you. Self-aware and still full of it. I'm almost impressed."

“Stick around. I have layers. Like an onion. See? A vegetable.”

She rolls her eyes but she’s smiling as she pushes her door open. "We’ll see about that, neighbor."

***

Mandy Fields.

Not “Little Fields.” Not Allison’s bratty sister.

Mandy. Law school grad. Future lawyer. Currently my neighbor.

And she looks like trouble.

The kind of trouble that walks right into your life without warning, flashes a smile, and turns everything sideways without touching a damn thing.

***