I take a sip and moan. “That’s good. Really good. Would you consider a position as my personal barista?”

He winks at me as he straightens to his full height. “I’ll submit my application by close of business today.”

Is he flirting with me? Am I reading too much into that wink? Why would it matter? The safest course is to ignore it. Because good sex is always welcome, but I want an emotional connection too, and Dean isn’t prepared to give that to anyone. And yet, to reiterate, good sex is always welcome, and I haven’t had any in a really long time.

Unfortunately, I can’t parse my feelings further because Ana and Carlos, fully dressed and apparently ready to go, stroll into the kitchen and plop onto the counter stools next to mine.

“Mãe just called,” Ana says. “Your mother’s cooking us breakfast before the tias open the store, and then we’re going sightseeing. Want to join us?”

I shake my head. “Can’t. I need to prepare for work this afternoon.” Plus, the idea of hitting all the DC tourist spots on a Thursday in August holds as much appeal as walking on hot coals—feels similar too.

Dean places two coffee cups and a tray of sugar and cream in front of them. “Did you sleep okay?”

Ana and Carlos grin at each other as they prepare their coffee.

“We did, thank you,” Ana says. “Hey, can I ask how long you two have been living here?”

I’m too tired to perform math, so I throw out an answer that’s vague enough not to get us in trouble. “Sure. As roommates, about two years. As a couple, not long.”

“Ah, that explains it,” Ana says.

“She thinks it looks like a place for a single person,” Carlos adds.

I gulp. It does match Dean’s sleek and functional aesthetic perfectly. “Like a bachelor pad, you mean?”

“Yes, that’s it,” Ana says. “Even little things, like the single-cup coffeemaker.”

“Well, he lived alone before me, so he bought some of this stuff on his own,” I tell them. “Besides, we don’t like to put too much on our counters. For space-saving reasons.”

Dean clears his throat. Is that a poke at my and Brandon’s counters? He’s going to pay for that one.

“Anyway, it’s a wonderful place,” Ana says as she rises from her counter stool. “It’s just a thing I noticed.” She looks at her phone, then turns to Carlos. “Eles vão nos encontrar lá embaixo. Ready?”

He stands and takes a last sip of coffee. “Ready.”

They’re almost out the door before Ana turns back. “Oh, do you want to give us your keys? That way, you won’t have to worry about letting us in? Maybe yours, Solange?”

I gulp. “Mine?”

“If it’s a problem, we can just call you when we’re close.”