Abby Jimenez Blends Romance and Intrigue in Short Story ‘The Fall Risk’ (Exclusive)

Bestselling romance author Abby Jimenez is known for the fan-favorite novel Just for the Summer as well as The Friend Zone and its sequel The Happy Ever After Playlist. For her next project, she’s embraced brevity.

Jimenez’s short story, The Fall Risk, is out March 1 via Amazon Original Stories, the retailer’s audio and digital-only imprint. Although she initially preferred longform writing, the author tells PEOPLE that she’s come to enjoy crafting shorter fiction, too.

“They’re very fun and you don’t have to do a third-act breakup, you don’t have to have a big conflict,” Jimenez tells PEOPLE. “It’s really just a meet-cute, is what it is, and I love writing meet-cutes.”

The Fall Risk is no exception. The story follows Charlotte and Seth, neighbors who meet when they’re stranded in their apartment building after the staircase leading to the second floor collapses.

Jimenez has never shied away from writing about difficult topics in her fiction, and in The Fall Risk, Charlotte is dealing with the news that her stalker has been released from prison.

“I think a lot of people related to the plot point in this book because they’ve, at one point in their life, dealt with some sort of harassment or even stalking,” she says. “And there’s been very little that has been done about it or there’s been very little recourse for it.”

The story was released early to Prime members, as part of Amazon’s First Read program – and Jimenez says that she’s already seen meaningful reactions from early readers too.

“I think that [The Fall Risk] was sort of a healing story for a lot of people to read, especially because of the ending,” Jimenez says. “I won’t give it away, but let’s just say it’s the happy ever after.”

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Jimenez also hopes the story will leave readers feeling empowered.

“I’d like them to walk away feeling like they, or the other women in their lives, can be a lot stronger than we think we can be,” Jimenez says. “Charlotte really went through a lot, and at the end of it she’s not saved by anyone else. She’s saved by herself.”

Read below for an exclusive excerpt from The Fall Risk.

“The stairs are gone.” 

I stood outside at the top of the landing just beyond the door of my second-story apartment, on the phone with my best friend and gawking at a straight drop-off. The demolished remnants of what used to be steps sat piled into a metal dumpster in the carport below in a mess of splintered wood and rusted wrought iron. 

“What do you mean they’re gone?” Gabe asked. 

“Gone. As in someone removed them.” 

Silence.

“I’m coming over.” 

He hung up. 

I dragged a hand down my mouth. I’d heard banging this morning, but they were reroofing the carport, so I didn’t think anything of it. 

The property manager had been doing repairs—finally. The place was dated, it needed it. And we did need new stairs, I just thought maybe I’d get a text first? 

I was searching for the number to call him when the door to the unit across from mine opened. A woman stood in the doorway. My new neighbor. I hadn’t met her yet, she’d just moved in. Pretty, around my age, maybe twenty-seven, twenty-eight. Brown hair.

Bear spray in her hand. 

She balked in the threshold, looking at me like she might back up and slam the door and bolt it. Then she glanced at the missing steps and did a double take. “Uh, where are the stairs?” 

“I think they’re in that dumpster?” I gestured to the carport. “I’m Seth, I’m your neighbor. I was about to call the property manager,” I said, already dialing. 

He picked up on the second ring. “This is John.” 

“Hi, John, Seth in apartment sixteen. Were you aware that my stairs are gone?” 

A long pause. “Your stairs are gone . . .” 

“That is correct.” 

I heard water shutting off. “Are there workers there?” 

I peered around. “None that I can see.” 

He cursed under his breath. “I’ll be there in five.” 

I hung up. “He’s on his way.”

She wrapped her sweater protectively around herself. “I heard the banging. I just thought it was the carport thing.”

 “Yeah, me too,” I said. 

“Who do you think did it?” she asked. 

“Probably a mistake,” I said, leaning over the edge. 

“Uh, please, don’t.” 

I glanced at her. “What?” 

“That. You could fall.” 

“I’m not going to fall. Trust me.” 

“No, seriously, please.” 

“I’m an arborist,” I said. “I spend my days hanging out in trees. I’m very good with heights.” 

“Well, I’m not? And you’re making me nervous. Also, you have an injury? What if you trip.” 

I peered down at my ankle. I was off the crutches now, but I was still wearing the boot. “Okay, good point,” I said. “I guess I am a bit of a fall risk.”

She looked relieved when I stepped back. 

“How did you get that?” she asked. 

“Dead branch coming down. I had to jump out of the way.” 

“Is it broken?” she asked. 

“No, just a bad sprain.” 

She nodded, looking around uncomfortably. 

I let out a breath and checked my watch. “I was gonna get a coffee,” I mumbled. “I guess that’s not happening anytime soon.”

 “You don’t have any in your apartment?” 

“Unfortunately not. I’m sorry, what was your name?” I asked.

 “I’m Charlotte.” 

“Nice to meet you.” 

John came jogging up to the building. 

When he got to where the stairs used to be, he stopped and looked around, perplexed. 

“Told you,” I called. 

“Son of a .  .  .  ,” he muttered. He took out his cell and called someone. “Yeah, Guerrmo? Uh, your guys took down the wrong stairs. I said apartment sixty, not sixteen. I’ve got tenants that can’t get out. When are they coming back?” A pause. “Monday? No. It’s Friday, that’s the whole weekend. I don’t care. I don’t care, put up something temporary.” Another pause. “Let me call you back.” 

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