Ethan's morning started with the sound of a car alarm blaring in the distance. He groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he adjusted to his new surroundings. The old mattress creaked beneath him as he sat up, stretching his stiff limbs. The sunlight that filtered through his dusty window was weak, barely making a dent in the gloom of his tiny apartment. His stomach rumbled. Food. Right. He had forgotten to buy groceries last night after being too distracted by the… sounds from next door. He shook his head, trying to push the memory away.
As he stepped into the cramped kitchenette, he paused at the sound of a door opening in the hallway.
Her door.
His pulse quickened despite himself. He hadn't seen her yet, but he knew she was there. The mysterious woman next door—the source of the laughter, the teasing giggles, the low murmurs. Last night had been his first taste of her presence, though he hadn't even laid eyes on her.
But now, he could.
Moving with uncharacteristic curiosity, Ethan grabbed his keys and stepped outside under the pretense of locking his door. That's when he saw her.
She was breathtaking.
Long, wavy brunette hair cascaded over her shoulders in effortless waves, framing a delicate yet sharp face. Dark eyes, full lips painted a tempting shade of red, and smooth, sun-kissed skin that seemed to glow under the dim hallway lights. She wore an oversized hoodie that barely covered the tops of her toned thighs, and a pair of scuffed boots that hinted at both attitude and effortless confidence.
Ethan's breath hitched. He hadn't expected her to be this stunning.
She moved with an easy grace, running a hand through her tousled hair as she adjusted the strap of her bag. A silver pendant dangled around her neck, catching the light as she turned toward him.
Sienna.
The name suited her, though he had yet to hear it spoken.
She was everything he wasn't—bold, confident, and completely at ease in her own skin. Ethan felt like an awkward shadow in comparison. He shifted slightly, suddenly all too aware of his baggy t-shirt, unkempt hair, and the fact that he was still barefoot in the hallway.
She caught him staring.
For a second, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with unspoken energy, an odd mixture of curiosity and something else—something that made Ethan's throat dry.
Then, she smirked.
"Hey, neighbor." Her voice was as smooth as silk, carrying a faint amusement that made his ears burn.
Ethan swallowed, adjusting his glasses out of habit. "Uh… hey."
She tilted her head slightly, assessing him in a way that made him feel like an open book. "You just move in?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Yesterday."
Sienna leaned against her doorframe, her arms crossing over her chest, causing her hoodie to ride up slightly. "Cute. Welcome to the building. Hope you don't mind a little noise."
His heart slammed against his ribs. Was she teasing him?
"I, uh… it's fine," he muttered, his gaze flickering to the floor.
She laughed softly. "You sure? You seemed a little tense last night."
His face burned.
Oh, God.
She knew.
She had heard him hesitate outside his door. Maybe even felt his presence.
Ethan nearly choked on his own embarrassment. "I wasn't— I mean, I didn't—"
Her smirk widened, eyes dancing with amusement. "Relax, newbie. I'm just messing with you."
He exhaled sharply, feeling like he'd just survived a near-death experience.
Sienna stepped closer, just a few inches away now, and Ethan caught the faint scent of vanilla and something richer—something intoxicating. "Anyway, if you ever need anything… sugar, coffee, company…" She let the last word hang between them, her gaze dipping slightly before flicking back up to meet his.
Ethan's brain stalled. He wasn't used to this—this kind of interaction, this level of… intensity.
She was playing with him.
He wasn't sure if he was flattered or terrified. Maybe both.
Before he could find a way to respond, she winked and turned away, walking down the hall with an easy, confident stride. He couldn't help but notice the way she moved—effortless, like she owned the space around her.
As she disappeared around the corner, Ethan found himself still standing there, his heart pounding in his ears. He felt ridiculous.
Why was he reacting like this?
It wasn't as if he hadn't spoken to women before, but this was different. She was different. She carried herself like someone who knew the effect she had on people—like she enjoyed the way others stumbled over their words in her presence.
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy hair.
This was going to be a problem.
Turning back into his apartment, he leaned against the door and shut his eyes for a moment.
New place. New life.
He had told himself this was supposed to be a fresh start, a quiet retreat from everything that had suffocated him before.
But with a neighbor like Sienna…
He wasn't so sure solitude was an option anymore.