Chapter 3: Officer Next Door

I’m officially avoiding Tyler at all costs. Every time I see him, my brain blue-screens. It’s not fair.

But the universe is a comedian. Clearly, my humiliation is its favorite sitcom.

Monday morning, same checkpoint, same poker face. I square my shoulders and try to radiate pure innocence.

Today, I’m just your average, harmless office worker! I even practice my “see, nothing weird here” smile in the elevator mirror.

Except… I forgot about the two bottles of yogurt in my bag. They clatter around as I set my stuff on the conveyor. Great.

Tyler parts his lips. "Take a sip."

Daylight, security line, everyone watching. I blink, not sure I heard him right. Is this some new TSA thing?

What, does he want my yogurt? Should I offer him a spoon?

My inner voice is screaming, but I just open the lid, stick in the spoon, and hold it out like a peace offering. I feel like a little kid caught sneaking snacks before dinner.

"This flavor is honestly so good, it’s explosive…"

The words tumble out before I can stop them. I want to smack myself with the spoon. Why am I like this?

"Uh, I mean, uh, so good it should be illegal…"

Tyler’s face tightens, eyes narrowing. The air feels heavy, and I shrink a little, wishing I could disappear.

"Tyler, Officer Bennett, Sir, you? Please?"

I push the yogurt toward him, my voice so tiny it’s almost a squeak. I’m simping so hard, it’s embarrassing.

"Either drink it or throw it away."

Even his punctuation is cold. All business, zero chill. No room for negotiation.

Wait! "Take a sip"—he means me? I have to drink it?

Fine, whatever. I’ll drink it, okay?

Gulp gulp gulp—gulp gulp gulp—

The yogurt goes down cold and thick. I can feel it pooling in my stomach. Ugh.

I need to move! My legs itch to bolt.

Before I can make a run for it, Tyler appears. He’s everywhere, like some omnipresent security god.

Full police uniform, sharp and upright. The badge on his chest gleams under the harsh lights. My heart skips a beat. He looks like he just stepped out of a TV drama.

"You’re a cop? I thought you were… uh, security, security chief, checkpoint… captain?"

I’m with the Chicago Police Department—assigned to O’Hare.

He whips out a black wallet, flips it open to reveal his badge. The photo is all jawline, no smile. Intense.

That ID photo is so… alpha. I have to bite back a snort.

"Ahem, this is a bit sudden, but I have a favor to ask."

I just blink at him. He clears his throat, clearly not used to asking for help.

"I have a German Shepherd at home. Could you help me look after her for a few days?"

"Huh?"

"Got an urgent assignment this morning. Might be gone four, maybe five days. Time’s tight, I have to head out now.

Nana—she’s over ten, her heart’s not great, and she doesn’t do well in boarding. My folks are abroad…"

He keeps explaining, but my brain is only half-listening. My eyes are busy. The way his uniform fits, the way his hands move—it’s distracting.

The little frown lines between his brows. They make him look almost soft.

The way he presses his lips together when he’s anxious. Does he bite them when he’s nervous?

The shadow of his lashes as he checks the time. He glances at his watch, then back at me, a little desperate.

His throat moves as he talks. I’m hypnotized. Send help.

Tyler senses my hesitation and softens his tone. He’s not pushy, but there’s urgency in his voice.

"Nana’s easy. Barely needs to go out, just feed her on time. There’s a camera—just check in when you can. If anything comes up, call me."

He scans my face, searching for a sign that I’ll say yes.

"Last time in the hallway, that corgi chasing you for its ball—you had it tamed in no time…"

My cheeks heat up. He saw that? I thought I was alone.

"I know it’s sudden, especially since we…"

He trails off, obvious awkwardness coloring his voice. He’s not used to being this open.

"But I really couldn’t find anyone better. Please."

It’s so genuine I can’t say no. Who could turn down a hot guy asking for help? Or a dog?

"Uh, sure, okay."

I nod, still dazed. I’m not sure if it’s the dog lover or the hopeless flirt in me answering.

Half of it is how dizzy he makes me in uniform. The other half is… I kind of like being needed.

"Thank you so much! Really! If you have time, I’ll take you to meet Nana and show you what to do?"

A few minutes later, Tyler rushes out. His footsteps echo down the hall, leaving me standing in his apartment, slightly breathless.

I’m crouched in the entryway, wide-eyed, staring at Nana, who’s been quietly curled up on her mat the whole time. She looks up with big, soulful eyes, tail thumping once. Instant love.

After a while, I reach out, gently scratching behind her ears. She leans in, eyes half-closed in bliss.

"Nana, you know, your owner…"

I try to say something clever, but all that comes out is a soft click of my tongue. My mind’s a mess, but Nana just looks content.

"The way he looked just now… damn, it’s lethal…"

Maybe it’s Tyler’s “Nana really likes you” that gives me a mysterious confidence boost. For the next few days, I’m all in. I want to do right by both of them.