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“What’s your favorite?”
    “Your foreboding ode to hip hop. That was the first one to make me fall in love with you.”
    I froze.
    In love with me? Okay. In love with my art. That’s what he meant. Really, Red? Just drink some water and take your behind back downstairs.
    “So,” I cleared my throat. “I’m pretty high right now. I don’t like to do business this way. Would it be okay if we met on another day to discuss your mural? Plus, I should really get back to my friends, especially Colleen. Well, we call her Coco. She’s like the grandmother.”
    Babbling some more I went into a harsh impression, scrunching up my face, wagging my finger, and speaking in a scratchy voice. “Red, stay away from strangers.”
    “Well, I’m not a stranger.” He licked his lips. “I’m just Dr. Sheep.”
    He did lick his lips! He did. I’m not that high. Or wait, did that happen? Or do I just want that to happen? God, I liked the way he flicked that full lip with his tongue.
    He leaned forward. “Red?”
    “Yes.” I stepped back.
    He moved forward. “Don’t rush off to grandmother’s house yet.”
    I wrinkled my forehead, thought about what he said, and giggled. “Awww. Little Red Riding Hood. I get it. Funny.”
    He inched closer. “I like that story.”
    His intoxicating scent swarmed around me. It was odd for Miami. He smelled like a man should. It was rich with fragrant hints of cedar and leather as if he’d just finished chopping logs, showered, and sat next to the fire of a long cabin.
    I want to sit by that fire with him. . .I mean. . .I need some water.
    “Red?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you like that story?”
    “Of course. I just wish Red had cut her way through the wolf’s stomach, instead of the lumberjack.”
    “What?” He seemed to tense in front of me.
    “Those tales always have some guy saving the girl. If I’d been her, I would have killed the wolf myself.”
    “Then I’m glad that I’m a sheep.”
    Something about the way he said it, made me nervous.
    “Are wolves really that bad?” he asked.
    I blinked.
    Did he get closer to me without me noticing?
    Only a foot stood between us. This close, his scent drew me to him. I felt like one of those hypnotized cobras swaying side to side out of a street performer’s basket as he plays an instrument to charm the wicked creature.
    He’s charming me. No matter how high I am. I’m certain of that.
    “We should do this another time.” I turned, walked over to the table, grabbed a bottle, and opened it.
    “You’ve got to get to grandmother’s house?”
    “Yes, Coco will probably come looking for me.”
    She was professional, but she also packed a mean punch. Her grandfather was a Golden Gloves Champion in amateur boxing. Sundays at Coco’s house resembled a sweaty gym of old guys with foul mouths and big hearts. They’d teach us a few self-defense moves when we visited, but Coco’s grandfather had given her a love for fracturing jaws that we’d never gained. Once she’d checked her fiancé’s cellphone and realized he’d been sexting with four other women, and had been having unprotected sex with two of them. He’d come home to a boxing event that he had no idea was being scheduled right in his living room.
    Although I didn’t condone violence I had to admit that as I helped her move out, seeing the douche bag jump out of the way when she came near, sort of put a flutter in my heart. Since then, Coco had gone to anger management, yet there were few times when I worried that her sobriety would be tested.
    If she came up here and spotted Dr. Sheep hovering near me she’d probably step in.
    “Are you okay?” He sounded like he was right behind me.
    Chugging some of the water, I glanced over my shoulder, saw that he was barely an inch away, and accidentally spit the cool liquid out on him. It sprayed on that lovely linen shirt and dotted his face.
    “Shit. I’m so sorry. Let me help.” I smacked the water away from his face, not