ORIGINALLY TITLED "WHEN THE STARS ALIGN" AND PUBLISHED IN JANUARY 2020. AnnaI swore off dating.

Then my ex moved into my building. His proximity changed nothing.

I simply offered friendship-to put the past behind us. But I forgot what a good friend he can be.

. .

and there's plenty I never forgot. There's also plenty I can't help but observe.

The years have made him somehow more handsome, he's equally gorgeous in suits and t-shirts, and his abs are still rock-hard. Some differences between then and now-Now, he's a big-shot lawyer.

Like me, he doesn't have time to give to a relationship. And he agrees with me.

Dating is a bad idea. ***JacksonI never forgot her.

But I wanted to. Back then, I thought we'd have a future because we hit it off in every way-and I mean every way.

After we imploded, I hoped never to see her again, but thanks to a mutual friend, there was no luck on that score. Hello, neighbor.

My easy-to-talk-to and easy-on-the-eyes neighbor. Now, we're friends.

And then I go and get a half-cocked idea. .

. or, one might call it a fully-cocked idea.

With the right parameters, we could have it all-friends with benefits. If it was such a great idea, why do I regret what happens next?.