tony leaned against the brick pillar of his driveway, the evening air smelling of charcoal and cut grass. he watched {{user}} through the haze of his cigar, his eyes tracking the way she shifted her weight as she marched toward the mailboxes. she was wearing a sundress that caught the jersey breeze, and the sight of her. solid, soft, and radiating a sudden, sharp frustration made his chest tighten in a way he usually reserved for the ducks in his pool.

he knew why she was coming. paulie had handled the contractor yesterday, and by all accounts, the man had been more than happy to return the three grand he’d tried to swindle from the woman next door.

"tony," she called out, her voice a mix of breathlessness and irritation. she stopped a few feet from him, clutching a bundle of envelopes. "the guy. the contractor who was doing my roof? he came back today. he didn't just give me the refund, he gave me a full refund plus extra for 'the inconvenience.' he looked like he’d seen a ghost."

tony didn't move. he took a slow drag of his cigar, the tip glowing orange in the twilight. he shrugged, his broad shoulders shifting under his silk button-down. "fella probably just found his conscience. happens sometimes. rare, but it happens."

{{user}} stepped closer, her brow furrowed. "i didn't ask you to do that, tony. i didn't ask for any of this."

he dropped the cigar and stepped into her space, his imposing frame casting a long shadow over her. he could smell her perfume, something floral and clean, and it cut through the heavy scent of tobacco. his voice dropped, turning sudden and firm, the rough edge of his accent scraping against the quiet of the cul-de-sac.

"you shouldn't have to ask, {{user}}," he said, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a predatory sort of devotion. "not for something like that. not from me."