“Excuse me,” a young man’s voice sounded behind her.
Lia slowed down and turned around. A smiling face looked back at her on the residential sidewalk.
“How can I help you?” she asked, and couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear herself.
“Is there a store nearby?”
“Yes, just over there, at the base of the next building,” Lia pointed toward an ice cream advertisement just a few meters away.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t see it! I just moved to the area yesterday and haven’t found my way around yet.”
“No problem, happy to help!”
The next day, after work, Lia got off the subway and was pleased to see the young man had arrived at the same time. They had gotten out of the same car and made eye contact.
“Hey, neighbor,” he greeted her with a wave.
“Hello again!”
“Just got off work?”
“Yes, you too?”
“Yeah. I teach sociology. You too?”
They both laughed.
“I handle loans for companies.”
“Wow, that’s serious work,” he nodded approvingly.
“Not more serious than teaching others. I’m Lia, by the way.”
“Roland.”
The conversation flowed easily, comfortably. They both enjoyed the few minutes it took to walk to Lia’s building.
“This is my stop,” she said, pausing.
“And I’m just going a bit farther.”
“So, we really are neighbors,” Lia chuckled.
“I always take a half-hour walk before bed, especially if the weather’s nice. Want to join me around ten?” Roland asked without hesitation.
Lia was surprised by his directness and ease.
“I’d love to,” she replied, her face lighting up with joy. She really liked the idea of a warm, summer evening walk.
By autumn, each day still ended with a walk for Lia and Roland, long or short. Their friendship developed quickly and naturally. Roland had a partner back in his hometown, and Lia was still recovering from a two-year relationship. There was nothing to clarify; neither of them saw the relationship as anything other than what it was. During the day, they didn’t contact each other; everyone lived their own life. But in the evenings, after dinner and a bath, they couldn’t wait to talk, laugh, and explore the neighborhood. For Lia, these walks were genuinely the last thing she did before falling asleep. When she got home, she would crawl happily into bed and usually fall asleep within moments. In the past, she would sometimes toss and turn, her mind racing restlessly with work or other tasks. But the walks and conversations with the humorous, entertaining Roland had a wonderfully calming effect on her.
Since her breakup, she hadn’t wanted to date anyone new. She didn’t feel the need for a partner in her life. She wasn’t ready yet. She was particularly grateful to Roland because he was the first man who didn’t misunderstand her friendliness. Usually, if she struck up a conversation with a man, he always assumed she wanted to get closer or, at the very least, was interested in sex. Her cheerful, friendly nature had led to many awkward situations and even jealous scenes. But Roland made up for all of that.
Lia pulled her hood down over her face. She regretted taking a shower before the walk; it didn’t feel good to be out in minus two degrees after a hot bath. The cold penetrated her every bone.
“Can we do our walk a bit earlier tomorrow?” she suggested to Roland.
The young man was silent for a long time.
“Is something wrong?” Lia asked with concern. “Or is your girlfriend visiting?”
“No, not at all. It’s just…”
“Just what? Spit it out; you’re scaring me,” she urged him.
“Sorry, Lia, I know you don’t like this sort of thing, but it’s freezing. Would you be up for cozying up with some mulled wine or tea instead of walking? I swear, I still have no ulterior motives; it’s just hard to bear this freezing air lately.”
Lia laughed.
“I thought something was wrong,” she said, lightly placing her hand on his shoulder. “Come over whenever you want. It wouldn’t even cross my mind that you’d have any ulterior motives, especially with a wonderful partner like your girlfriend.”
“Right, I did mention that I’m planning to propose to her in the spring” he said.
Roland was never late. He always arrived precisely at the agreed time—you could set a clock by him. Lia appreciated this trait even more than his humor. That night, the young man arrived with a bottle of red wine and a pack of salted pistachios. Lia poured for both of them, and they moved over to the couch.
“Your place is so cozy,” he remarked, glancing around the spacious, warm living room.
The furniture was adorned with string lights covered in soft cotton, casting a gentle glow. A thick, plush rug covered the floor. It was the perfect winter nook.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Lia raised her glass for a toast.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment,” Roland smiled, leaning in to kiss her.
Lia drew back, startled.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Oh, come on, Lia. Who are you kidding? Wine, mood lighting, an evening at your place… it’s so obvious.”
Lia’s mouth dropped in shock.
“You asked for it! You said you had no ulterior motives, and you brought the wine!”
“Don’t try to tell me it hadn’t crossed your mind to sleep with me!”
“It didn’t,” she snapped angrily. “Now, please leave.”
“Are you serious?”
“The most serious.”
“If you really send me away now, you’ll never see me again.”
“Fine.”
“Excuse me, miss,” a handsome, bearded man asked Lia. “Do you know where I can find a pharmacy nearby?”
Lia gazed deeply into his blue eyes. She sighed.
“I have no idea. I’m not familiar with the area. It’s my first and last time here.”