The front door swings open with a creak, followed by a thud and the unmistakable sound of a suitcase hitting the floor.

“Okay, so—fun fact,” a woman’s voice calls from the hallway, “the cab driver thinks this building is haunted. I told him that’s fine, because rent’s cheap and I’ve already lived with worse.”

Lainey Reid steps into view, rain still clinging to her hair, an overstuffed duffel slung across her shoulder. She flashes a quick grin, half-apology, half-charm.

“You must be my new roommate. I swear I’m not always this soaked—or this late. The bus broke down, then it poured, and… anyway, hi.”