My Next Door Neighbor

"Don't worry. It's all just a movie," Joe said, thinking Lesley had been startled by the scary scene on the screen.

I, however, was puzzled. Why had she suddenly been so startled?

Before I could figure it out, Joe received a phone call. He nodded while saying "Okay" a few times, his face becoming grim as he stood at the side. After a moment, he spoke again. "Phil, I need to go back to work. The client is demanding a proposal, and even after I submitted it, they didn't like it. It's already late; it's like they don't think we deserve time off."

Since he was leaving, I stood up to go. "Well, we can always finish the movie another time."

It wasn't ideal to stay alone with Lesley this late, though I had entertained a few thoughts in my mind. But when it came down to it, it was better to act appropriately.

Joe stopped me from leaving. "Phil, you don't need to go. We've known each other for so long—there's no need for formalities. Lesley's been wanting to watch this movie for a while but didn't want to watch it alone. You can stay and finish it with her. I'd really appreciate it."

So, with Joe gone, I stayed with Lesley to continue watching the movie.

A few minutes after Joe left, I casually took Lesley's hand and said, "Your hand is so small," while placing it in mine. Just like that, our hands were clasped together.

She seemed nervous, her hand trembling as if she was trying to pull away. "Phil, please. You and Joe are friends," she said.

I was utterly confused.

"Then why did you just touch me like that? Look what you've done," I replied, pointing to a certain bulging area, a result of her hand sliding up my pants earlier.

Lesley's face turned red, and she mumbled, "I... I thought you were Joe. I forgot we switched seats."

Her voice grew so soft it was almost inaudible.

Thinking about it, I realized she must have mistakenly thought I was Joe, given the position we were in before the switch. That explanation made my earlier thoughts seem much less exciting. I had imagined something more intense happening during this late-night movie with my neighbor's pretty wife.

"You and Joe really seem to enjoy pushing boundaries," I said, teasing her. It seemed like she was trying to spice up her love life with Joe by doing such a thing in my presence.

Lesley, unable to meet my gaze, blushed deeply. She playfully scolded, "Phil, if you keep teasing me like this, I'll kick you out so you can go back to Tess."

I couldn't understand why she would blame me for a burning desire in me that she had ignited.

But… I caught her glancing my way shyly, as if trying not to peek but wanting to, while her body trembled. I decided to tease her back. "Alright, I'll go back and satisfy my needs with Tess, then."

"Wait..." she said, looking anxious. Just then, a particularly scary scene from the movie made her jump, and she screamed, clutching onto me in fright.

She grabbed me just as I was about to stand up, and her hand accidentally landed in an awkward place—the place she had touched earlier.