“Can feel you watching me,” the older guy grumbled. In his mid-fifties, Max Dixon wore his salt and pepper hair military short. That gray hair and the wise eyes in his brown, craggy face the only things showing his age. He still maintained an incredibly fit body and had the spring in his step of a man in his prime.

He’d retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Marine Corps a few years ago and had moved into the Tuscan Cosmo Apartments to serve as the building’s caretaker. He didn’t say much, but he wasn’t as stern and uncompromising as he outwardly appeared.

“I like watching you work, Top. Makes me feel relaxed.”

The older man grunted in amusement. Xavier had gotten pretty good at reading the guy and knew Top actually liked him. Not just because Xavier was an ideal tenant, but because Xavier had served in the USMC as well, back when he’d been young and stupid.

Top glanced over his shoulder, saw Xavier grinning, and snorted. “Pain in my ass.”

“So it’s been said. Tell me, if you had to ask advice about something, what would it be?”

Top turned back to his work. “Hmm. I think I’d ask how to get my shower to stop leaking. Because I replaced what I thought was a damaged O-ring but nothing changed.”

“No, I meant a relationship question. Are you dating anyone?” He hadn’t seen a ring on the man’s finger.

“Son, I’m not interested. No offense.”

Xavier snorted. “That’s not why I’m asking.”

“Maybe I’m married.”

“Are you?”

Top sighed. “No. And you’re still talking to me.”

“Come on. Give me a relationship question. Like, something you’d read on Dear Abby or Dear Aunt Truth.”

“Huh?”

“It’s almost like you’re afraid that once you answer me, I’ll leave and go back up to my apartment and leave you all alone.”

“Well then, I guess I’d say, how do you keep a woman’s interest? There. You leaving now?”

Xavier had no intention of going anywhere soon. “Good question.” He flipped the page in his sketchbook to draw something for How to Keep a Woman’s Interest and roughed out a picture of Top looking quizzical next to a beautiful woman, a large question mark hanging in the air between them. Then Xavier did another panel of what most considered men’s interests versus women’s interests and had fun with stereotypes.

Some time later, Top plopped on the bench across from Xavier. “You’re still here.” He had a drink bottle with him and guzzled it before wiping the sweat from his brow with the bottom of his tee-shirt.

“Well, I do live here.”

“I thought you’d ask then leave.”

“Nah. I’m still enjoying your refreshing company.”

Top snorted. “What are you doing?”

Xavier showed him the cartoon.

Top frowned. “That looks like me.”

“I know. I’m just doodling. But you asked a decent question. Something all men want to know.”

“You’re the marriage expert, Dr. Advice. What’s the answer then?” Top drank more water.