Pete and His Precious

Zoey
I’m a voice actor. I know, you’ve probably never heard of that before, but I promise it’s a thing.
I specialize in sweet romance. So, I get to tell a great story, and also get to do all the fun, tingly parts, too, the parts that romance listeners love to hear. So, of course, I practice them – in the privacy of my apartment. Only, I guess the walls are a little thinner than I realized, because my new neighbor not only hears me, but he thinks I’m talking to him!
And he replies!
This is extremely awkward, because he’s just asked me out on a date, and I don’t even know what he looks like! We’re supposed to meet at the market downtown, and everything is going great until I see him – and realize he’s the officer who booked me last year at the animal rights rally where I might have gotten a little carried away and flung my sweater at him (which would have been fine if my friend hadn’t spilled chocolate milk on her shirt and I forgot I gave her mine, so I actually wasn’t wearing anything under my sweater and the officer – my current date and neighbor – booked me for indecent exposure, because he didn’t believe me when I said it was an accident.)
Can you say ghosted?
Except he’s so sweet and understanding through the walls of our apartment that I almost wish I could have a redo. Then my cat takes things into its own hands, uh, paws…
Pete
I’m a cop. That’s what I do. And I’m serious about it.
But I’d also really love to meet the face behind the beautiful voice I keep hearing from the other side of my apartment wall, so, while I know she’s not talking to me, I pretend a little, and ask her out.
Only she doesn’t show.
Maybe she realizes I’m a cop and doesn’t want to date a guy in blue. I’ve heard all the excuses.
But hearing her voice every night is a nice distraction, and one I allow myself after a particularly hard day on the job.
I’ve just about given up on her, but then the parakeet I’m babysitting takes matters into its own hands, uh, wings? And I end up coming face to face with indecent exposure/sweater throwing lady and I decide on the spot that everyone deserves a second chance. Now, if I can just convince the lady of the same.