The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Graham and Brooke, acting like aedy duo straight out of a si, were on the verge of tearing into a man they barely knew.

Anna quickly waved her hands, "No, no, you guys got it all wrong. I'm not seeing anyone at the moment, and if | were, you'd be the

first to know," she said, desperately signaling to Arnold to jump in with ssupport.

Just as Brooke was about to unleash her secret weapon of interrogation, Arnold smoothly cut in, "Mom, why keep grilling her? Can't

you see she's about to faint from hunger? Look at her, clear as day, she's single. Next tshe's here, you can check in again.

Progress update, right? Gives us something to look forward to, doesn't it?"

Arnold had a knack for diverting attention, and soon enough, the couple started to fuss over Anna with food, dropping the

interrogation like a hot potato.

Anna breathed a sigh of relief.

On their way back, Anna was quiet, lost in thought, which didn't go unnoticed by Arnold.

Trying to lighten the mood, Arnold joked, "What's with the silence? Didn't like the third degree from Mom and Dad?"

"It's my fault," Anna finally said. "I should have considered how you felt before blurting it out. I'm sorry if it made you

ufortable."

Arnold's words brought Anna back to the moment. She looked ahead and shook her head, "I just don't get it."

"Get what?" Arnold was puzzled.

"How did you know about it?" Anna's voice was barely a whisper. Was it really that obvious?

Arnold chuckled lightly. "You seem to miss most of the messages | send you, don't you?"

Anna pulled out her phone, scrolling through their messages from the day he arrived up to last night, piecing everything together.

So, Arnold had already run into Soren.

"But, was he really that harsh to you?" Anna couldn't believe Soren would be so quick to judge.

"Harsh is an understatement!" Arnold grumbled. "That night, it was only by my sheer virtue that | didn't snap at him. Any other guy

would've been pissed!"

Anna gave an awkward smile, sensing Arnold's lingering anger.

"But he doesn't like me, so why the hostility? Maybe he sees you as a threat? After all, to my friends, you're just a neighbor."

Arnold couldn't help but think how naive Anna was.

"He seesas a rival! Did he follow you hyesterday and then quickly get drunk? It all lines up," Arnold said, a smirk

spreading across his face as if to say, "Told you I'd figure it out."

Anna realized the timeline matched perfectly.

"So, he wasn't drunk. He wanted to say 'goodnight' to me?"

"But lettell you," Arnold continued, seeing Anna's mood lift, "Don't rush over there confessing your feelings. If he's willing to

butt heads withrather than clear things up with you, his feelings aren't deep enough. A man truly in love would want to clear

up any misunderstandings, not leave things in limbo."

Anna's spirits, momentarily lifted, were doused by Arnold's reality check.

Feeling like a wilted flower, Anna slumped, her enthusiasm evaporating.

Arnold, having always been protective like a big brother, quickly thought of a plan. "Hey, don't worry. I've got an idea that'll surely

make hto you!"

Anna, though skeptical, felt a glimmer of hope at Arnold's words.

"Alright!"

After dropping Anna off and issuing a string of reminders like a worried parent, Arnold left, giving Anna speace. Alone, she

remembered Soren's clothes still hanging on the balcony.

"He left these?" she muttered, collecting the clothes. Holding them, she felt a connection, their shared scent of fabric softener

mingling in the air.

Trying to shake off her thoughts, Anna prepared for bed, her mind still racing. Sleep eluded her, all because of one person. Arnold,

unaware of Anna's turmoil, was already planning a date with his boyfriend at a newly opened restaurant.

The next day, dressed and ready, Arnold met his boyfriend with a joyful leap into his arms. Together, they entered the restaurant, a

stark contrast to Soren's mood as he passed by, feeling a sense of deja vu but unable to pinpoint why.

Soren, stressed and on edge, grimaced at the sight of the lovey-dovey scene in front of the new couple's diner, his mood soured

further by the day's events.

Soren's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, mostly because he couldn't shake off the idea that Anna might show up here with

Arnold. The mere thought was enough to send him into a fury.

In a huff, Soren stomped into the restaurant, his mood as stormy as the weather outside. As he scanned for a seat, a familiar voice

cut through the din, striking him like a bolt of lightning.

There was Arnold, looking blissfully content as he leaned against another man, who was meticulously cutting a steak into bite-sized

pieces before gently feeding them to Arnold.

"Thanks, honey!" Arnold beamed, rewarding the man with a kiss that seared itself into Soren's memory, impossible to et.

Arnold then snuggled up against the man's shoulder, a picture of affection andfort.

The man, far from bothered, simply smiled indulgently.

"When are you going to break it off with that woman? Seeing you two together all the tmakesuneasy."

"I've told you, it's just for work," the man reassured.

"But you drove her home."

"It was on the way,e on. Are you jealous?"

Hearing this exchange made Soren's blood boil. Without a second thought, he marched up to confront them.