“Steven, thank you for your hospitality but I’ve stayed much longer than I meant to,” Vronsky said, not taking his eyes off of her as Anna turned and stepped toward him. He cleared his throat and continued. “I just stopped by to thank you guys for making sure my mother got home safely tonight.”

He had such a soft and wonderful voice to complement his beautiful eyes, which was pretty much the exact same thought he was having about her. Anna wanted to respond but found herself struck speechless by the intensity of his gaze. He continued, “I also wanted to let you know I found the man’s other dog.” He held up his hand, which had a large Snoopy Band-Aid on it as proof.

“Oh no, you’re hurt. Did he bite you?” Anna padded toward him.

“No, no, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch. My mother’s dog walker insisted on the Band-Aid.” Vronsky ripped it off, balled it up, and stuffed it in his overcoat pocket. “The dog’s with her now. She fosters strays so it’s a much better option than a shelter.”

Anna was overcome by Vronsky’s thoughtfulness, and it took all her resolve not to throw her arms around him and hug him. “Oh my god, you’re my hero. That’s so nice of you. I know it was silly for me to worry, but—”

“Not at all,” he cut her off. “It just shows what a sweet girl, I mean, good person you are.” The two of them locked eyes again, and now Anna felt light-headed. She forced herself to look away and put her hand on the wall to steady herself.

“I’m sorry, I’ve barely eaten today, except for that pie.”

“Hey, is there any left?” Steven asked, looking up from his iPhone, oblivious to the situation unfolding before him.

“That’s Lolly’s pie and it’s up to her if you can have a piece,” Anna said, a smidgen more sharply than she should have. This whole unnerving situation was his fault after all.

The three of them stood in silence for another awkward beat. Anna needed Vronsky to leave immediately, but there was another part of her that desperately wished she could ask him to stay for pie, though she couldn’t very well offer it up when she’d just told her brother he couldn’t have any. Oh, what to do! “Thank you so much for stopping by … Alexia. Or should I call you Vronsky? Or is it the Count?” she asked playfully.