When my sister asked if her boyfriend, Tom, could crash at our place for a few days, I didn’t see a reason to say no. She’d told me about his temporary work situation and mentioned he’d be in town just briefly. I thought it would be a small favor, maybe even a chance to get to know him better. But from the moment he arrived, something felt off.

Tom was friendly, yes, but almost too friendly. He had a habit of standing just a bit too close, of locking eyes with me for just a second longer than was comfortable. At first, I tried to brush it off, thinking maybe he was just trying to make a good impression, but his behavior only grew more unsettling. He’d frequently hang around the kitchen when I was cooking, lingering and making comments that bordered on flirty, which felt strange given that he was my sister’s boyfriend.

What really caught me off guard, though, were the late-night moments. I’d get up to grab water or a snack, only to find him awake, waiting for me to pass by. He’d give a little smirk, making odd small talk about how “cozy” my place was and how he felt so at home here. I began to dread being alone in the common areas, almost feeling like a guest in my own space.

I’ve tried to bring this up gently with my sister, but she just laughs it off, saying Tom is “just an extrovert” and doesn’t mean any harm. But I’m not so sure. His presence is unsettling, and I’m starting to feel trapped, unable to relax in my own home.

I don’t want to upset my sister, especially since she really likes him, but I know I need to draw a line. I’m just unsure how to handle it without hurting her feelings—or causing drama. But with each passing day, I feel more uncomfortable, and it’s becoming clear that something needs to change. I just hope she can understand that my discomfort isn’t something I can ignore anymore.