THE NEXT ALPHA

No one believed in love at first sight anymore. But that’s only because they hadn’t met her new neighbor. Stella was sure of it.

“The new neighbor is a hottie?” Mandy asked coyly. Her perfect profile jutted towards the house next door.

Stella, not ready to part with all the details, simply nodded. Her bouncy curls toppling over themselves in agreement. She half-heartedly attempted to wrangle them into submission by tucking a few loose strands behind each ear. They instantly broke free. Typical.

Bennett Orloff was drop dead gorgeous. It took only a single glance from his steely eyes to cut Stella to the quick. Heart and soul. Her walls cracked. The floodgates opened. He’d only said hello, but it was enough to render her speechless.

That was a first for her. Stella never reacted to anyone that way. Not once. But around Bennett her usual grace had failed her. What she’d come to rely on most about herself, her own self ease, felt like it was slipping away. That was a surprise. She wasn’t sure if she liked it or not.

What was it about Bennett that made her feel this way? And so quickly! Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that the six-foot four demigod living next door, had an athletic build made of pure muscle, and shoulders that begged to carry the weight of all her troubles.

Boy, did she have troubles. Lately it seemed something new and horrible popped up every day. Not that she couldn’t handle them herself. She always had before.

“Seriously, you’ve got to tell me everything!” Mandy insisted.

Stella shrugged. Truth was, she didn’t know anything about the man who at that very moment could be lying in bed, a mere hundred feet from her own bedroom door. Give or take. It was more of an estimate.

It’s not like she’d counted. Not yet anyway. A secret confidence stirred inside her. Someday… It seemed to promise. She felt her cheeks flush a vibrant red.

“He’s more of a night owl.” Stella told her friend, half-heartedly explaining her silence. “I’ve barely said hello to him.” She finally admitted.

Sure, they shared a driveway and an amazing view of Seattle’s pride and joy, Mt. Rainier. But so far, not much else.

“Sounds mysterious.” Mandy said, her mouth twisted into a knowing smirk.

Typical Mandy.

“You have to promise to keep me updated,” Mandy winked. “With all the details of you getting to know him better.” Her face clouded slightly, “Since I won’t be around for you to tell me.”

Stella’s heart panged, suddenly heavy in her chest. “I can’t believe you’re going to leave me all alone here.” She reached out, grabbing onto her friend’s hand.

“By this time tomorrow, I’ll be halfway to Paris.” Mandy brightened with the thought of it.

“For a whole year!” Stella chimed in. Refusing to make this moment about herself. Mandy was a hard worker who deserved the internship of a lifetime, a position at one of the most prestigious art museums in the world.

“It’ll go quickly, mon amie,” Mandy reassured Stella. Her brown eyes glistened with fresh sadness.

Stella held back her own tears. The friendship they had was special. In so many ways.

It was no secret between them, how few people Stella let get close to her.

Naturally she had friends. She was young, smart, pretty. But they both knew, how she kept people at a distance. Protected herself. With everyone.

Well, everyone except Mandy. Of course.

Mandy, her out-going opposite. Whose curious brown eyes glowed with mischief. Always.

Mandy squinted in the direction of the house next door. “Maybe we should just go introduce ourselves?” She asked teasingly, rising to her feet.

Stella inhaled sharply. The thought too overwhelming. Speechless. Again.

Now, her heart was racing. What was that about? The memory of his glinting blue eyes tickled through her brain making her skin feel itchy. Her palms sweaty. Not sure if she liked that or not, Stella made a mental note to get to the bottom of it.

The door to Bennett’s house opened. A handsome man about six feet tall, with broad shoulders and gleaming black hair emerged. A tall, lithe woman with auburn hair, her eyes hidden behind Chanel sunglasses, confidently held onto his arm.

“Is that him?” Mandy breathed.

“No.”

At least Stella didn’t think so. Sure, her new neighbor was tall, well-built, and definitely swoon worthy, but even from this distance, she didn’t feel that tell-tale jolt of electricity she’d felt the first time she saw him. And had felt repeatedly each time she’d seen him since. Or thought about him. Or even heard him mentioned. Apparently.

It wasn’t him. Couldn’t be.