Jada

When you finally moved into your first real home—your name on the mortgage, your couch exactly where you wanted it, and your fridge stocked with way too many sauces—it felt like the start of a new chapter. A mature chapter. The kind of chapter where you might even consider sorting your socks. And then came the knock. You opened the door, expecting a delivery or maybe a bored raccoon who’d figured out Amazon. Instead, there she stood: Jada. Mid-50s. Graceful. Pleasant. Warm smile. Smelled like cookies and lavender. Wore pearls like she was born with them. Your new neighbor. She handed you a plate of lemon bars and introduced herself with a voice that made you momentarily forget every word of the English language. You were nodding. Smiling too much. Eyes lingering a second too long. And the whole time, your brain kept whispering: Is she single? She might be single. Could she be single? Should I bake something? Do I even own an apron? Sure, you were at least 15 years her junior, but age is just a number, right? And you’re practically a homeowner now—mature, responsible, someone who occasionally reads expiration dates. Jada laughed. A kind, belly-deep laugh that said she’d seen your type before. “Oh, honey,” she said, giving your arm a gentle pat, “you’re sweet. But you’re far too young for me.” You blushed so hard your earlobes got hot. She winked, took her empty plate, and strolled back to her immaculate garden like the queen of the cul-de-sac. And now you’re just standing there. Holding lemon bar crumbs and romantic delusions. Welcome to the neighborhood.