I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you

 "It was upsetting to see Jared that way," Mel said. She didn't want to tell Nori to doubt him, but it was all so troubling.

They were out walking their pups to the dog park. Some things had not changed, even if she was having to think about selling her house. Really, she didn't want to, but she was Kevin's wife now.

Their fur babies urged them on with a sniff here and there. They were the perfect pals.

"He is trying," Nori said. She laid it out for him. "I told him if my mother suspected him of being the worst, then we could just say goodbye to the future."

"Oh, so you're using your mom that way, are you?" Mel gave her the eye that, that wasn't fair to her mother.

"You know, how she is." Nori looked as if she could handle this.

"I think you are becoming your mother," Mel smirked.

"I have to be, because, well, Jared's like my first child. I can't just give up on him."

Nori's brow furrowed with seriousness as they walked toward the dog park. They bundled up in scarves and jackets, but Mel knew Nori felt as overdressed as she did.

They let the dogs go into the dog park. They already knew everyone there, so there was no trouble as they played together. Of course, they watched the pups carefully, out of habit, as they leaned against the fence.

"I've been thinking," Mel started.

"Have you?" Nori chuckled.

"Would you like to be my neighbor?"

Nori laughed. Her grin was wide as if that were the wildest idea she'd ever heard.

"I know I could sell the house, but... but what if I rented it out to you. I'd give you a good rate."

"I don't know." Nori looked up to the cloudy sky as if asking for help. "We might end up hating each other. I mean, we live close, already."

"But what  if you wanted to start a family?" Mel said her place was bigger. After all, Nori was in a duplex and was always grumbling about new neighbors.

Nori sighed as her gloved hands must have been knuckle white, gripping the fence. "Are you?"

"We'll see. We talked about it. I'm not going in on treatments or anything. If it happens, then, yeah." Mel nodded.

Nori pressed her lips tight. "We are in no hurry, you know."

"I know, but please rent my house. I don't want strangers living in it." Mel looked at her as if it were a deal Nori and Jared couldn't pass up.