“This is a lot of stuff. You don’t look like someone who’d want to live in Willow Creek,” Lila said, looking around my apartment with that slow, inspecting stare people use when they want to find a reason to judge.

My heart hammered while I searched for something to say. “Well, it’s not by choice,” I managed, forcing a laugh that came out thin.

She smiled and dropped onto the bed as if she’d been invited. “So tell me, what’s the catch? Are you just here for college or for something else?”

I bent to pick up another box, dragged it into the hallway, and returned before answering. “Just college. Is there anything else you need? I kind of have my hands full here.”

“Oh no, no, no…that’s fine. I’ll just get out of your hair.” She stood and walked to the door, but then she stalled, turned, and clicked her fingers like she was rehearsing the next line of interrogation. “You know, Jace has said so many nice things about you. Seems you two hit it off so fast.”

I smiled, the smile practiced. “I doubt that, Lila. We’re just neighbours. We barely even know each other.”

She nodded slowly. “I would appreciate you keep it that way, as neighbours. He’s in a relationship already, a serious one at that. And you’re too pretty to be frolicking with him, you know. You deserve better.” She smiled again, then walked out.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Well, that went well. At least she hadn’t threatened me. I deserve better, said the girl who was currently dating him.

“Aria!!” Daniel shouted from downstairs. I dropped the box and rushed down three steps at a time. He was holding the dismantled frame of the new bed like it was a trophy.

“It’s over here, come up,” I waved, and he climbed the stairs, whistling under his breath.

“Yeah, this needs to be gone,” he said, eyeing the old bed. I nodded.

He hauled the mattress off, cursed at a stubborn bolt, and knocked the frame apart with efficient, practiced movements. He piled the pieces and carried them to the back of the building for trash.

Soon the space where the old bed had sat was empty and ready. Daniel brought the new mattress inside and leaned it against my door while he brought the frames in. He started setting them up, knocking the pieces together.

“Don’t you need a manual for that?” I asked skeptically, watching him work.

He chuckled without looking up. “Been doing this a long time. I’m sure I know what I’m doing,” he said, kneeling and focused on the job.

I headed into the kitchen and filled one of the new basins with warm water, added detergent, grabbed a towel, and started scrubbing at the cupboards.

The apartment began to fill with the steady cadence of hammering and cleaning. I hoped the other tenants wouldn’t phone the landlord in a panic, the noise would probably drive them mad. Jace could throw himself into the river for all I cared. He’d survive the fish.

“Aria,” Daniel called, and I turned, startled. I’d been lost in thoughts and the sink bubble, I hadn’t heard him.

“Huh? Did you say something?” I asked, blinking and wiping my hands on the towel.

“I was asking, why art? Why’d you choose to study art?” he asked, watching me. Kneeling in the half-light, he looked strikingly handsome.

I shook my head, forcing myself back to the present. “I’ve loved art ever since I was old enough to know myself. I love painting, It’s a passion of mine,” I said, scrubbing harder at a stubborn stain on the cooker.

“That’s good. Art is a good choice, one of the most underrated careers. Most people view it as a hobby, which is fine, but that attitude makes it hard for real artists to thrive when people don’t take us seriously.” He shrugged, then looked up at me with something like understanding in his eyes.

I raised my brows in surprise. “Us? You studied art?”

“Yeah,” he said with an easy smile. “You look surprised.”

“No…it’s just the store…” I began, folding my sleeves higher so they wouldn’t drip.

“My family runs the store,” he finished. “My great-grandfather started it. My grandfather ran it, my father did and now I run it. It’s the only general store in town.” He stood up, and stretched himself.

The bed frame looked good, he’d done a neat job. I wiped my hands on the towel and walked over to him.

“This is nice. You did better than the manual would’ve,” I said, meaning it.

He laughed softly. “Help me,” he said, pointing at the mattress leaning against the doorframe.

I nodded and went to the other end. Together we lifted it and eased it onto the frame. We added pillows, fluffed them until they sat just right.

“You got sheets, right? Because I threw the old ones away,” he said, half teasing.

I pulled out the sheet set from one of the bags. “Got them.” The duvet was heavy, and with the sheets in one hand I misjudged a step. My foot caught the edge of the sheet and I stumbled, crashing into Daniel. He caught me reflexively, but the movement toppled us both backward onto the bed, me landing on top of him.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry,” I babbled, cheeks flaming as I scrambled to steady myself.

He laughed, hands still warm around my waist. “You look cute when you’re clumsy,” he said, grinning.

A sudden, wicked thought fluttered through my mind. What if I just did it, what if I dipped my head and kissed him? It wouldn’t matter. He was cute, irresistible even. What would it hurt? Just a little thrill.

Without thinking, I bent and pressed my lips to his. He startled at first, mouth tense and then he relaxed, kissed me back, hands coming up to cradle my face. My fingers went to the hem of his shirt, I started to tug it up and fumble at the buttons of his jeans when he caught my hands and stopped me.

“Woah there, young lady. Let’s pause for a moment,” he said, firm but not unkind.

I sighed out and sank back, cheeks still hot. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I don’t even know what came over me.” The words tumbled out fast.

He stood, steadying me with gentle fingers. “Shh. No need to explain, Aria. It’s fine. It’s getting late…I should leave now. I’ll catch you later, okay?” He pressed a quick smile.

I walked him to the door, opened it and froze. Jace was in the hallway, standing there with his usual scowl pinned on. Just great.

“Oh, hi Mr. Rowe,” Jace said like they were old acquaintances. They shook hands warmly. I rolled my eyes. Was there anybody in this town who didn’t know someone else?

“Jace, didn’t know you were around. I saw Lila earlier,” Daniel said casually.

“Yeah. Heard the noise. Came to see if you needed any help,” Jace replied.

At that moment, the door to Jace’s apartment opened and Lila stepped out, all sweetness. Her hand slithered around Jace’s waist as if she feared he might float away.

“Hi Mr. Rowe. Looks like you’re done. My boyfriend was just about to come give you a helping hand,” she cooed, flashing the most practiced puppy eyes I’d ever witnessed.

Daniel smiled politely. “No need… I’m finished here. Thank you for the thought.”

“He’s such a thoughtful guy. That’s why I love him so much,” she said, leaning in to nuzzle Jace’s neck in a show that made my stomach twist. Ugh. If she wanted to play the affectionate game, fine. Two could play.

I switched on my killer smile and turned to Daniel. “Thank you so much, Danny.” I planted a soft, deliberate kiss on his lips. It felt ridiculous and delicious all at once.

The expressions on their faces were priceless. Jace’s brows climbed and folded in surprise, Lila’s mouth fell open as if someone had popped a balloon inside it. Daniel cleared his throat, which was his cue to retreat.

“Umm, I have to go now. Call me if there’s any problem. My number is on the nightstand,” he said, voice suddenly very practical. Then he walked down the stairs, giving me one last apologetic grin as he left.

Lila rolled her eyes and swept back into Jace’s apartment. I shot Jace a daring look, daring him to say something.

“Trust me, you wouldn’t want to do that,” he said flatly.

“Do what, Jace? Oh…you mean fuck Daniel?” I snapped, storming toward my door. “I don’t think you’re in any position to tell me what to do.”

I slammed the door behind me for dramatic effect and collapsed onto my freshly made bed, exhausted. At least the kitchen was clean and I had a new bed that didn’t squeak.

I lay back, eyes closed, expecting sleep to arrive. Instead, sounds drifted through the thin walls, the thrum of movement, muffled laughter, and then unmistakable moans. Lila’s voice carried like a broadcast, moaning Jace's name and I almost gagged. The bed next door was clearly having its own late night drama.

I grabbed a pillow and smothered it over my ears. I knew they were doing this on purpose, guess I'd have to get creative too.