The Double-Booked Doorstep
Sienna Brooks believed in the universe. Right now, the universe was telling her to buy a very large crowbar.
She stood in the dimly lit hallway of Apartment 4B, clutching three house plants, two oversized cardboard boxes, and a key that refused to turn in the brass lock. Rain was dripping from her yellow raincoat, forming a sad little puddle around her sneakers.
“Come on,” Sienna muttered, twisting the key again. Snap.
The key didn’t break, but the door suddenly swung inward on its own. Sienna let out a victorious gasp, stepping over the threshold into a beautifully lit, modern apartment. It had exposed brick walls, huge windows, and—
“Who the hell are you, and why are you dripping on my hardwood?”
Sienna froze. Standing in the kitchen area was a man holding a stainless-steel coffee carafe. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a crisp black t-shirt that made his jawline look dangerously sharp. His dark eyes were fixed on her with absolute hostility.
Sienna blinked, gripping her fern closer to her chest. “Who am I? I’m Sienna. The new tenant. Who are you? The very intense handyman?”
The man set the coffee carafe down with a sharp click. “I am Ethan Vance. I am the tenant who signed a two-year lease for this apartment six months ago. You are currently trespassing.”
“I am not trespassing!” Sienna dropped her boxes, digging into her pocket to pull out a crumpled piece of paper. “See? Apartment 4B. Signed by Mr. Abernathy yesterday morning. I paid my deposit!”
Ethan walked over, snatching the paper from her hand. He looked at it, his brow furrowing as a look of pure, clinical annoyance crossed his face. He pulled out his own phone, tapping the screen to reveal an identical lease agreement.
“Abernathy,” Ethan groaned, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose. “The man is eighty-five and forgets his own trousers. He didn’t log your lease into the system.”
“Well, call him!” Sienna demanded, crossing her arms. “Tell him to give me the keys to the empty apartment next door.”
“There is no empty apartment next door,” Ethan said coldly, opening his eyes and looking down at her. “The building is completely full. And since my lease came first, you need to pack your plants and leave.”
Sienna looked out the massive window. The rain was currently coming down in violent, sheets. Lightning flashed, shaking the glass. She looked back at Ethan’s cold expression.
“I have nowhere else to go,” Sienna said, her optimism finally cracking. “My old lease ended at noon. I am not sleeping in my car with a fern.”
Ethan stared at her. The silence stretched between them, heavy and tense, as the storm howled outside.
