"I didn't," he said quickly, his tone casual.

I raised an eyebrow. "Then why would you come knocking if you didn't know I was here?"

He moved the chopped vegetables onto a plate, pausing briefly before answering. "The old lady downstairs told me. She said my girlfriend was home."

I was speechless for a moment. The playful way he said "girlfriend" left me flustered.

I sipped my tea, choosing not to respond. Instead, I continued ...