It had been an exhausting day. Between back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and an unexpected traffic jam on the way home, all I wanted was to kick off my shoes, pour myself a glass of wine, and collapse onto my couch.
But the moment I stepped through the door, I froze.
Because someone was already on my couch.
A man. Asleep.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. Maybe the stress had finally broken me, and I was hallucinating. But no—there he was, sprawled across my beige sofa, one arm draped over his face, his shoes kicked off as if he belonged there.
My heart pounded. A million thoughts raced through my mind. Did I forget to lock the door? Did someone break in?
I reached for my phone, ready to call the police, but then the man groaned and stretched, blinking up at me like I was the intruder.
“Oh,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes. “You’re home early.”
Early? EARLY?
I took a step back, gripping my phone. “Who the hell are you?”
He sat up slowly, still groggy. “What do you mean? This is Liam’s place.”
Liam.
My brother.
I exhaled sharply, my fear shifting into something else entirely. Of course, Liam.
“Let me guess,” I said, crossing my arms. “You’re another one of his brilliant ideas?”
The man winced. “Not exactly.”
I sighed and dropped my bag onto the floor. “So, what’s your name?”
“Ethan.”
“Okay, Ethan. Want to explain why you’re in my apartment?”
He ran a hand through his messy dark hair and let out a sheepish chuckle. “I, uh… might have misunderstood something.”
I gave him a look. “You think?”
Ethan sighed. “Liam said I could crash at his place for a few days. He gave me the key and said I’d have the place to myself.”
I groaned. “Of course, he did.”
Liam, my wonderful older brother, had been letting his friends “crash” at his apartment for years. The problem? Liam didn’t live here anymore.
He’d moved in with his girlfriend months ago, and since we still co-owned the apartment, it was just me now. Apparently, he’d forgotten to mention that tiny detail.
I pulled out my phone and called him. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey, sis! What’s up?”
“You know exactly what’s up,” I snapped. “There’s a man on my couch, Liam.”
There was a pause. Then, “Oh. Right. That.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Do not tell me you forgot to tell him you don’t live here anymore.”
“Well… I meant to.”
I looked over at Ethan, who was now sitting up properly, watching me like this was the most entertainment he’d had all day.
“You meant to?” I repeated through gritted teeth.
Liam sighed. “Look, Ethan’s a good guy. He just needed a place for a few nights. Can you cut him some slack?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You owe me, Liam. Big time.”
“I know. Dinner’s on me next time, okay?”
“Make it three dinners,” I shot back.
Liam chuckled. “Deal.”
I hung up and turned back to Ethan. “So, I guess you’re not some criminal.”
Ethan smirked. “Unless overstaying my welcome counts.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen. “Well, you can’t stay here. I don’t do random roommates.”
Ethan held up his hands. “Fair enough. I’ll get my stuff and head out.”
I nodded, watching as he grabbed his backpack and slipped on his shoes. He was already halfway to the door when I sighed.
“Wait.”
He turned around, raising an eyebrow.
I hesitated. He didn’t look like a threat. He looked… tired. And maybe a little lost.
“How long do you actually need a place?” I asked.
Ethan hesitated. “Just a couple more days. I’m waiting on my new apartment to be ready. Lease starts Monday.”
I sighed. “Fine. Two days. That’s it.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “But you’re sleeping on the couch.”
Ethan grinned. “Deal.”
I shook my head, already regretting this. But as I grabbed a blanket from the hall closet and tossed it at him, I couldn’t help but smile a little.
Maybe this wasn’t the worst thing Liam had ever done.
