Ethan had never been good at handling attention—especially not from someone like Sienna.
He told himself that her teasing meant nothing, that it was just the way she was. Some people were naturally flirtatious, right? It didn't have to mean anything more than that.
And yet, as the days passed, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing it on purpose. That she enjoyed making him squirm.
It started small. A lingering touch when she borrowed things, a soft laugh when she caught him flustered, a way of looking at him that made his stomach clench. But then, it escalated.
Like today.
Ethan had been doing laundry in the building's communal room, folding a fresh pile of clothes on the metal table, when she appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame like she had all the time in the world.
"Didn't take you for the domestic type," she mused, arms crossed as she watched him.
Ethan's fingers fumbled over a T-shirt, nearly dropping it. He forced a casual shrug. "I—uh, I like clean clothes."
Sienna chuckled. "Good answer."
She moved toward him, hips swaying with effortless confidence. She wasn't wearing much—just a loose tank top and tiny shorts that showed off far too much leg. Ethan forced himself to focus on the shirt in his hands, but she wasn't making it easy.
"Need some help?" she offered, picking up one of his shirts before he could protest.
Ethan's throat went dry. "You—uh—you don't have to do that."
She smirked, folding the shirt with deliberate slowness. "I don't mind."
Their fingers brushed when she passed it back to him, and Ethan swore he felt electricity shoot up his arm. He swallowed hard, willing himself to stay calm. She's just being friendly. That's all.
But then she leaned in, lowering her voice just enough to make his pulse quicken. "You're cute when you're nervous, you know that?"
Ethan nearly choked on air. He stepped back, gripping the laundry table like it was the only thing keeping him upright. "I—I'm not—"
She tilted her head, watching him with amusement. "You're blushing."
"I'm not—"
"You are." She grinned. "Adorable."
Ethan's ears burned. His body betrayed him at every turn—his stiff posture, the way he couldn't meet her eyes, the sheer heat crawling up his neck. He felt like a fish out of water, completely outmatched and completely transparent.
Sienna didn't press further, though. Instead, she laughed lightly, as if she had found exactly what she was looking for, and stepped back. "Relax, Ethan. I'm just messing with you."
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Of course.
She was playing a game. Testing him. She liked seeing him squirm.
And he? He was falling for it.
The worst part? He wasn't sure he wanted her to stop.
The interaction left Ethan rattled for the rest of the day. Even after returning to his apartment, the ghost of her touch lingered on his skin. He paced the small space, trying to shake the memory of her teasing smirk, the way her eyes had danced with amusement.
He wasn't used to this kind of attention. Back in school, girls rarely even noticed him unless they needed help with an assignment. He had always been the quiet, awkward guy in the background, watching but never participating. And now? Now he had a neighbor who looked like she belonged in a magazine, openly toying with him like it was a sport.
Ethan exhaled sharply and sat down on his couch, rubbing his hands over his face. He needed to focus on something else. Anything else.
His eyes flickered toward his bookshelf. Maybe reading would help. He reached for one of his favorite novels, something safe and familiar, but as he turned the first page, his mind betrayed him. Instead of focusing on the words, all he could see was Sienna—leaning in, whispering to him, watching his every reaction with those knowing eyes.
With a groan, he slammed the book shut.
This was going to be a problem.