Chapter 5 Unexpected Neighbor

Olivia's POV

Sunday’s apartment viewing was a slam dunk. Amelia hadn’t oversold it—this penthouse was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretching across the skyline. A gourmet kitchen gleaming with top-tier appliances. A master bedroom big enough for my entire library.

“And,” Amelia said, eyes glinting, “you’re going to have a very interesting neighbor.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Define interesting.”

“Only two units on this floor. The other one? A doctor. Young, single, and…” She fanned herself dramatically. “The building manager says he’s walking, talking eye candy.”

I groaned. “Amelia. I just crawled out of a toxic marriage. Men are not on my menu.”

“I get it. But hey—better a quiet hot doctor than a floor full of frat boys.”

Lease signed, we headed downstairs for Starbucks. I was mid-sip of my caramel macchiato when Amelia froze, eyes widening like she’d just spotted Bigfoot.

“Oh. My. God.”

“What?”

“Don’t. Turn. Around. Your insanely gorgeous neighbor just walked in.”

Naturally, I turned.

He was… tall. Broad-shouldered. Around six-two, dark hair just messy enough to look good, wearing a navy sweater and jeans like they’d been tailored just for him. Then he turned—and wow. That jawline, those eyes, and a smile that could knock the air right out of you.

“Olivia,” Amelia whispered, “you’re drooling.”

“I am not!” But I snapped my gaze away a little too quickly.

“You should go introduce yourself. New neighbor, common courtesy—”

“Absolutely not. I told you, no men.”

Then, as if fate decided to laugh in my face, he grabbed his coffee… and walked straight toward us.

“Sorry,” he said, voice deep and smooth, “but I heard you mention the building. One of you just moved to the eighteenth floor?”

Amelia, traitor that she is, pointed directly at me. “Olivia. Eighteen B.”

“Perfect. I’m Daniel—Eighteen A.” He offered his hand. “Daniel Martinez, but everyone just calls me Daniel.”

My heart stopped. Martinez. As in Dr. Martinez.

This was the man I’d be working with.

“Olivia Peterson,” I managed, shaking his hand. “Everyone calls me… Olivia.”

“Nice to meet you, Olivia.” His handshake was firm, warm. “What do you do?”

“I’m… a cardiologist. Starting at the hospital next week.”

His eyes lit instantly. “No kidding. I’m in cardiac surgery. We might end up working together.”

Amelia kicked me under the table, but I barely felt it. This was my colleague. My partner. My neighbor.

“That… would be great,” I said, maybe too quickly.

“I should run,” Daniel smiled, “but welcome to the neighborhood.”

The second he left, Amelia leaned in, practically vibrating.

“You know him. You totally know him. That was—”

“He’s my new partner,” I said quietly. “That Dr. Martinez.”

Amelia’s grin could’ve powered the city. “Olivia Peterson, your life just became a Netflix series.”

Watching him leave, I had a sinking suspicion she might be right.

And I wasn’t sure I was ready for it...