That night, I slept deeply, the kind of sleep where you werepletely out, until the noise from outside woke me up. It wasn’t Josh’s voice, but a woman’s, with a distinct local ent.


    From the sound of it, she wasn’t a young girl. Young girls usually had soft, clear voices, but this woman’s was deeper and rougher.


    I’d always been able to identify people by their voices, but I still couldn’t believe that Alvin, the man I’d loved for ten years, turned out to be nothing more than a jerk.


    They said you knew you’d gotten over someone when you stopped thinking about them.


    But clearly, I wasn’t there yet. I still found myself thinking about Alvin, whether I wanted to or not. Even if it wasn’t love anymore-just resentment-he was still upying my thoughts.


    I stayed lying down, straining to listen to the conversation outside.


    “Holly, where’s Josh?” the woman asked.


    “He left. Went out early this morning,” Holly replied, the sound of water sshing in the background.


    “He left? I thought he hadn’t even woken up yet,” the woman said with a smile in her voice.


    “None of your business if he’s up or not. He doesn’t like you, so stop wasting your time,” Holly said, blunt as ever.


    Effie Mendoza, the woman outside, didn’t seem fazed by the harsh words. She justughed. “Holly, what do you know? Men like the chase, the whole push-and-pull thing.”


    I couldn’t help but snort. I thought, “This woman sure is confident.


    “Well, I know he threw you out like a piece of trash.” Holly didn’t hold back.


    Effie seemed a little irritated. “What would you know at your age?”


    “I know how to have some dignity. I know people need to keep their pride intact,” Holly shot back, and I silently gave her a mental high-five.


    “Holly, we’ve been neighbors for years. I’ve helped you out plenty. But instead of thanking me, you’re mocking me?” Effie started ying the guilt card.


    Holly wasn’t buying it. “Sure, you’ve helped, but don’t kid yourself. You didn’t do it out of kindness-you’re just looking for any excuse to get close to Josh.”


    I couldn’t help butugh quietly. Holly sure knew how to handle her.


    “Alright, enough of that. I heard you took in a pretty young girl?” Effie changed the subject, and now her interest was on me.


    “Yep, she’s got that smooth, tender skin, like you could squeeze water out of her. And she’s a pure, innocent girl.


    “Honestly, I’m kind of fascinated by her myself,” Holly said, making me feel a little awkward. But I couldn’t help but appreciate her ttery.


    “Really? I’d love to see her. Where is she?” Effie asked, and I immediately sat up.


    I thought, ‘Looks like she is here for me. She is probably worried I’ll steal Josh from her, huh?”


    I slipped my feet into slippers, my freshly painted toenails on disy. I was wearing a soft, milk-white silk nightgown, the thin straps barely holding on. My hair was a mess from just waking up, giving me that effortlessly sultry look.


    I opened the door, stretched, and yawned as I stepped outside. “Holly, your ce really needs better soundproofing. I get woken up every day.”


    As soon as I spoke, Effie turned to look at me. First, her eyes went wide with surprise, then admiration, followed quickly by jealousy and envy.


    Holly gave me a quick nce. “What can I say? This is a small ce, and the walls are thin. Next time, I’ll make sure to close the door and keep the noisy ones out.”


    I couldn’t help but smile to myself. “Thanks, Holly.”


    With that, I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste from the counter. That was when I noticed something next to mine-a green toothbrush cup. No need to ask, it was definitely Josh’s.


    Mine was pink, his was green. His was bigger, mine smaller, but oddly enough, together they looked pretty good.