Chapter 106
“Of course not,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly judging by Sarah’s mischievous smile. “What Sarah meant is that I’m not ready to
enter into another relationship. I’m focusing on myself right now.”
“Right, that’s exactly what I meant, Sarah agreed, but her grin suggested she was thinking something entirely different.
“And I’m sure the guy isn’t even that handsome,” I was saying when a knock interrupted us.
“It’s open,” I called out, assuming it was Tristan or Orion returning from their store run.
Instead, a head I didn’t recognize poked through the doorway, and I felt my mouth fall open in surprise.
Sarah had the same stunned expression, and I could practically hear Leah’s internal “I told you so.”
The man was, without question, incredibly attractive. Not just handsome, but the kind of beautiful that made you forget what you
were saying mid–sentence.
“I’m sorry for intruding like this,” he said, and his voice matched his appearance perfectly. Deep, smooth, with just a hint of an accent
I couldn’t place.
I tried to respond but found myself just nodding like some sort of broken doll. Sarah was doing the same thing, and even Leah
seemed momentarily speechless.
“I noticed I have a new neighbor, so I thought I’d introduce myself,” he continued, stepping fully into the room. He was holding a plate covered with what looked like homemade cookies. ‘I live next door.”
So this was the Greek god Leah had been raving about. Her description really hadn’t done him justice.
He was tall and lean but clearly strong, with dark hair and eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. Even wearing a casual polo shirt and jeans, he looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine.
“Oh,” was all I managed to say, which was hardly my most eloquent moment.
“I just finished making cookies and thought I’d share,” he said with a smile that probably made women weak in the knees on a regular basis. “Mind if I join you for a few minutes?”
I wanted to politely decline. I had enough complications in my life without adding an attractive neighbor to the mix. But before I could form the words, Leah jumped in.
“Of course we don’t mind!” she said, practically bouncing on her toes. “Please, take a seat wherever you’d like.”
He looked around the apartment with the kind of confidence that suggested he was comfortable anywhere he went, then settled into
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one of the chairs we’d just arranged around my new kitchen table.
“Thank you,” he said, and again, that voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.
“I’m Leah,” my friend announced, apparently recovering her powers of speech. “This is Sarah–she’s married with kids.” She gestured to Sarah, who gave a little wave.
I shot both of them surprised looks. Did we really need to announce everyone’s relationship status to a complete stranger?
“And this is Athena, Leah continued, apparently just getting warmed up. “She’s single. The only single one among us, actually.”
I wanted to disappear into the floor. Leah’s mouth had always been a little too active for her own good, but this was excessive even
for her.
The stranger–my new neighbor–turned his full attention to me, and I felt heat rise in my cheeks under his steady gaze.
“Nice to meet you, Athena,” he said, and the way he said my name made something flutter in my chest that I immediately tried to
squash. I’m Rhys.”
“Rhys, Leah repeated slowly, like she was testing how it felt to say it.
He nodded, still looking primarily at me rather than the woman who was doing all the talking.
“So you’re my neighbor?” he asked, directing the question specifically to me.
“Yes,” I managed, proud of myself for getting a complete word out. “I just moved in today.”
“Well then, I hope you’ll like it here,” Rhys said. “I’ve been in the building for about six months, and it’s a good place. Quiet, safe.
Good neighbors.”
“She’ll love it,” Leah interjected. “Athena is such a sweet person. You’re going to adore her.”
If Leah had been closer, I would have pinched her until she yelped. As it was, I settled for shooting her a look that promised future
retaliation.
“I’m sure I will,” Rhys said, and something in his tone made my heart skip a beat in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.
“Well,” Sarah said, clearly sensing the undercurrent in the room and not entirely comfortable with it, “thank you for the cookies. That was very thoughtful.”
Her tone suggested the visit should probably wrap up now, and I found myself grateful for her protective instincts.
“Of course,” Rhys said, standing gracefully. “I should let you get back to settling in. It was wonderful meeting you all.” His eyes found mine again. “I hope to see you around, Athena.”
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Chapter 106
Let me walk you out, Leah offered, practically jumping out of her chair.
As soon as they were gone, Sarah turned to me with a look I recognized.
‘I don’t like him,” she said bluntly.
‘You don’t like him?‘ I repeated, surprised by her vehemence. “We just met him.”
“Exactly. And in five minutes, he managed to make it very clear he’s interested in you. That feels like a red flag to me.”
‘We’re just neighbors,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I don’t even know him.”
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“Good. Keep it that way,” Sarah said firmly, then her expression softened. “I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but you’ve been through enough. The last thing you need is some smooth–talking stranger complicating your fresh start.”
Before I could respond, I heard voices in the hallway indicating that Orion and Tristan were back.
“Who was that guy Leah’s following around like a lovesick puppy?” Orion asked as he walked in, carrying a bag of what looked like
cleaning supplies.
“My new neighbor,” I said, trying to sound like it didn’t matter one way or the other.
‘He was just leaving?” Tristan asked from behind Orion, and I noticed his eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made me shift
uncomfortably.
‘Yeah. He came to introduce himself and brought cookies.” I pointed to the plate Rhys had left on the counter.
“That’s… neighborly,” Orion said, but his tone suggested he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
Just then, Leah bounced back into the apartment with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
“Athena,” she announced dramatically, “I think he likes you.”
The silence that followed was deafening. I could feel both Tristan and Orion’s attention laser–focus on me, while Sarah looked like she wanted to throttle Leah.
And me? I was standing in the middle of my new apartment, surrounded by boxes and questioning looks.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
