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Brynn pointed at her. “I get why you’d think that. I am an animal lover. Don’t get me wrong, but I was a stepmom to my dog, and when the relationship broke up, he went back with my ex. A shepherd. Really sweet guy.”

“Well, that sucks. I’m sorry.”

“More than you know. But I’m sure another kind and furry soul will make their way into my life. When it’s right. Probably sooner rather than later.”

“Well, don’t go stealing any from your clients.” Wait. Was that okay to say? She’d been shooting the breeze, loosening up when she went and said something probably awkward. She closed her eyes, and braced for the humiliation that arrived on schedule. “I was trying to kid with you, but I’m not the best at it in spite of how much I practice. I know you surely behave with a level of professionalism at work that’s beyond admirable. Ignore me.”

“I will not,” Brynn said. “Because of your advice some adorable dachshund will avoid wiener snatching.”

Oh, that just scored points. So did the way Brynn’s whole face lit up when she laughed. There were those dancing eyes again, and she had the softest looking skin, probably without having to use lavendershea butter. It was currently wet, however, which was not ideal. How had Aster missed that? “Oh, wow. We’re standing here talking, and you’re being rained on.”

“I know. Do you mind if I just…” Brynn hopped beneath the small covering over Aster’s front step which left them sheltering in the same small space. This was rude, and Aster knew better.

“No. Come in. Come in. My mother would kill me.”

“Are you sure? You might be busy or have somewhere to be.”

“Neither happens to be true. I’m woefully, uh, free. Just follow…yeah.”

Brynn Garrett was in her house. Not only was it rare that she had anyone over other than her family and occasionally Tori, but the fact that it was the woman who made her mouth go dry was exponential news. Her hands were now tingling and, yep, shaking a little, too. A lot to keep track of. What next? She focused on hostess duties instead of her biological reaction. “Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you. I won’t stay. I just wanted to say hi and meet the person I’d be living next to for the next few months. I feel like this is one of those small town movies where I should have known it would be someone I already knew.”

“Clichés tend to be based on at least some element of truth. We’re all on top of each other in this few mile stretch. That part’s true.” She’d seen those TV movies, the ones where the town was cute and adorable and seemed to dote on Christmastime for some reason. She’d stopped watching them because of the myth they perpetuated.

“Well. It’s a very foreign happenstance in my world. It’s actually really nice.” Brynn tapped the counter. “And now that I’ve stolen a glimpse of your house, my ultimate mission, I will dash away victorious.” She raised her shoulders. “I’m a naturally curious person.”

Aster looked around, trying to see her place through someone like Brynn’s eyes and failing. She didn’t have a clue what it was like to be Brynn or what kind of design aesthetic she might find appealing. “Basic stuff.”

“I wouldn’t say that at all. You have a great sense of space and composition.”

“I do? I like to draw. That helps.”

“I can tell. You’ve made such great use of that corner over there,for one.” Brynn walked in that direction. “The height of the plant pulls up the eye, but the corner shelf adds texture and functionality.” Brynn swiveled back. “Speaking of, you never told me what book you were reading. We’re neighbors. I’m owed.”

Aster crossed her arms and laughed. “Fair. It’s calledThe Sixth Season of a Saturnite. A sci-fi meets historical fiction. I’m into that kind of thing. A space nerd.”

“Wow. Very cool. I’m always impressed at how involved those narratives are. But I’ve only read a few.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed you’d read any. Really?”

Brynn eyed her with those big expressive eyes. “I think you just tried to sum me up and failed.”

“I did.” She grinned. Held up three fingers. “Won’t happen again.”

“Good. I plan to keep the world guessing.”

Brynn seemed to mean it. On a list of traits, Aster was able to fill in a few for Brynn already. She was fun, for sure. But kind also topped the list, and that made her even more pretty.Oh.Aster swallowed the realization that she had a little crush on Brynn. Nothing she couldn’t handle. Nothing that required action. It was just that she couldn’t remember the last time that had happened to her outside of a random celebrity. She’d misdiagnosed it as the excitement of a new friend at first, someone who really knew how to make an impression. But when that person gave you swirly shoulders and tingling palms and stripped you of your ability to think through sentences in your own living room, but also put you right at ease and made you laugh, it probably meant more was afoot.

“Well, anything you need, you know, carrots, I’m just a text away,” Aster said.

“Right.” A pause. Brynn was waiting for something. “Except I’d need your number.”

She was a weirdo on steroids. “That might help.”

Brynn handed over her phone, and Aster typed in her number. “So, what do you do? For work.”

“Oh. I own a doughnut shop. Not far from the clinic, actually. About three blocks, on the outskirts.”