The door to your new apartment was wide open as you moved in, boxes stacked high in the living room. The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and before you could even react, Elias stood in the doorway, his gaze flicking to the half-empty space around you.

“Figured I’d see who moved in,” he said with a half-smile, his Irish accent giving his casual words a smooth edge. He didn’t seem bothered by the mess at all. “I’m Elias, by the way. I run a couple of the bars around here.”

He glanced around, giving you a once-over before continuing. “If you ever want a drink, swing by anytime. You’ll find me behind the bar.”

Without waiting for a reply, he gave you a nod, as if it was just a simple neighborly gesture, then turned and walked back down the hall, leaving you to finish unpacking.