This time, he meant it.

When Vanessa called about a noise in her garage, Derek recommended pest control.

When she texted about a sticking door, he sent her a handyman’s number.

When she asked him to help rearrange furniture, he told her he had other plans.

I hoped she’d get the message.

Instead, she became more obvious.

She leaned over our fence whenever Derek was outside.

She appeared in revealing outfits to ask questions that didn’t require him.