Screw the 10-page report. Screw the incredibly long chapters she had to read. Beth would like to see anybody try to resist the temptation that was Daryl Dixon's arms.

I can't believe I'm saying this, she thought, blue eyes transfixed on the biceps flexing as Daryl picked up the water gallon, but thank you, heatwave.

Quietly, the older man placed the gallon onto her water dispenser. He turned around and gestured to the dispenser.

"It's done," he said needlessly.

Beth smiled at his awkwardness. "I can see that," she teased. "Thank you."

He shifted from foot to foot. Beth patted the stool next to hers for him to sit. He hesitated and then proceeded to do so.

Beth assumed he was going to avoid contact, so she resumed staring at him, but then the suddenness of his gaze startled her. However, she didn't break the contact.

Afraid she might jump him any sooner, she began, "What're you doin' here, Daryl Dixon?"

"Merle," was all he said.

Disappointment came, but she didn't allow it to overpower the happiness. "I see. Where's he at?"

"Hell if I know. Probably smashed or somethin' equally stupid."

"Y'all ain't travelin' together anymore?"

"Nah, we are. Just doin' our own thing for now."

This time, Beth couldn't prevent the disappointment from affecting her. "So your stay is temporary?"

He continued staring at her before nodding.

Wishful thinkin' isn't gonna do you any good, Beth. Learn from your mistakes. "Oh," was all she said this time.

Another set of knocks came at her door. Beth jumped off the stool and headed toward the door. This time, she checked the peephole.

(The first time she didn't check because nobody had ever banged on her door while she played music. The knocks startled her, so she ripped open the door, ready to spew out apologies.)

Beth opened the door with a smile. "Hi Zach!" she greeted.

Zach's mouth opened ajar shamelessly. His eyes widened with his mouth and proceeded to appraise Beth from head to toe slowly.

Crap, she thought. She grabbed her coat hanging from the hook and donned it. Her smiled turned sheepish.

"So! What brings you here?" she asked.

Zach snapped out of his gaping and answered her, "Um, uh, I was just — just here to remind you about the … um, this month's rent." His eyes darted nervous glances from Beth to something behind her.

"I paid already, but thank you for reminding me." Remembering Daryl, she turned her body to gesture toward him. "By the way, have you met Daryl?"

Once she faced Daryl, she was startled to see him standing behind her. She did not sense his closeness at all. His chest was inches away from her left shoulder.

His posture was tense. When Beth saw his eyes, they were filled with intimidation and possessiveness.

She faced Zach who was now appraising Daryl up and down just as he did with her earlier. The fear in his eyes disappeared, and awe replaced it. His mouth closed and open a few times before stuttering out a greeting.

Daryl merely stared at him.

Beth narrowed her eyes at her ex-boyfriend now temporary neighbor. "Daryl, Zach said hi," she informed him.

He grunted in response.

The blonde-haired girl sighed, knowing that was all he was going to give. "Thank you again, Zach."

Zach nodded quickly, and Beth saw the awe increase before she closed the door. She peeled off the coat almost immediately because the sweat was gathering in the most uncomfortable places.

She whirled around to regard Daryl with arms crossed over her chest. "What was that about, Daryl Dixon?"

He stared down at her, and she realized the proximity between them. He seemed to have realized it as well because he sat back down on the stool. Beth followed and sat next to him. She faced him while he determinedly stared at the countertop, arms crossed over his chest as well.

Determinedly, as well, Beth tried not to look at his biceps — especially how the sweat pronounced them quite well.

"Well?" she prompted.

After a while he asked bitterly, "He always come to your apartment to remind you 'bout rent?"

She did her best to ignore his tone. "When I first moved in, Zach was kind enough to help me out with rent. His parents own this complex. I didn't have a job at the time, and so he said I could pay with what I got. Once I finally got a job, he made me pay only half of what I owed."

He snorted. "Maybe it's 'cause you answer the door lookin' like that."

Nope. She couldn't ignore that one. "Excuse me?"

He shifted in his stool, still not looking at her. "Ya heard me."

"I know what you're insinuatin', but I'm not goin' to say it because it'll show how much of an ass you're bein' right now." She glared at him. "Maybe you need to leave right now."

This time, he looked at her. Regret shone in his eyes.

But he was being cruel for nothing, and that was not okay. She will talk to him once her temper sizzles from the heat and his attitude.

So, she continued glaring at him until he left wordlessly.

Once the door shut, Beth placed her cheek on the surface again.

Her mind flashed to the possessiveness in Daryl's eyes.

Beth groaned. She couldn't deny it. Daryl's arms were impressive beyond compare, but this was the first time she saw a jealous Daryl. And it made her feel heated in ways the heatwave couldn't inflict upon her.

—

Daryl hadn't come by to apologize for his rudeness that day. Beth thought her workload from college and her job as a barista at her college's cafe would help distract her. Unfortunately, it didn't. She couldn't ignore the fact that her ex-boyfriend, whom she still loved deeply, was her neighbor.

She missed him. Incredibly so. Ever since she moved out to attend college, she was suffering from homesickness and, most especially, loneliness. She missed her family sincerely, but every time she thought of Daryl, all she wanted to do was burrow underneath the covers and listen to sad love songs.

Now he was here. Temporarily.

Knock, knock.

Beth all but jumped off her couch, binder and textbooks falling on the floor. She checked the peephole and saw Daryl with a towel over his shoulder. She fixed herself up before opening the door.

Daryl was looking at her, hesitant.

"To what do I owe this visit?" Beth asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"Plumbin's shit," he grumbled. "Can I use your shower?"

"I'm sorry, that didn't sound like an apology, Mr. Dixon."

He scowled at her when she said that.

She merely raised an eyebrow.

He sighed, relenting. "M'sorry, Beth." It was genuine, and she wasn't going to pester him about the reason behind his attitude. She knew already.

Beth nodded, smiling at him, and opened the door wider for him to enter.

Daryl stepped in and went to go the bathroom. When he opened the bathroom, she followed him inside. He looked at her, face incredulous.

"Damn, girl, you gonna watch or what?" he asked.

She giggled. "No," she replied. "I'm gonna brush my teeth. You mind?"

His cheeks flushed pink, and he mumbled, "Do what you want" before beginning to strip.

Beth obviously didn't think things through because her cheeks flushed as well. She spun and faced the sink to give him privacy.

It wasn't like she hadn't seen him naked before, but it was months since she'd been with him. Plus, even though he trusted her enough to see his scars, she wasn't going to blatantly stare at them.

She grabbed her toothbrush and began brushing.

"Shit," Daryl cursed on the other side of the shower curtain.

Beth spat in the sink. "What?" she called out.

"Forgot my stuff."

"Just use mine!"

"Hell fuckin' no. I ain't gonna come outta here smellin' like oranges and sunshine."

She tried her best not to spit out the contents in her mouth from laughter. "Awww, I smell like sunshine to you?" she teased playfully after spitting.

She heard him opening a bottle. "Just brush your damn teeth, girl."

This time, she laughed.

— Such a relief to write a lighthearted fic.

Next chapter is the last one. I think. I dunno. It'll probably change.

Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated.