Chapter 2
The next day, Avery woke up to her phone blowing up with texts from Ethan.
He’d sent like fifty messages asking when she was coming over.[]
Her heart twisted. Wow, Ethan, could you be any more of a jerk?
With trembling hands, she texted back: “Feeling like crap. Not coming.“]]
Minutes later, her parents were banging on her door.]
“Avery, even if you’re mad at Ethan, this is NOT the time! Hurry up and change, go to his place. You have no idea how important this date is to him. He’s had a thing for Sophia for years. When he heard she was back in New York, he asked your dad to help set it up right away.“]
“Yeah. Sophia took piano lessons from me, and I personally made this happen. The gifts, the dinner–it’s all super fancy. He wants you there to keep things from getting awkward. Having another girl around will make Sophia comfortable. Ethan’s totally serious about her this time. You guys are besties–how can you bail on him?“[]
So Ethan actually called her parents when she said no? Unbelievable.
Listening to them going on and on, Avery choked back tears as she got ready and headed downstairs.]
Their houses were close. Ten minutes later, she stood at the Millers‘ front door, opening the shoe cabinet.]
Completely empty–her bunny slippers nowhere in sight.
After searching everywhere, she finally spotted them in the trash can outside.
Not just the slippers–her cup, toothbrush, towel, pajamas… everything that was hers.[]
“Miss Avery, Mr.Miller threw those away. Here, use these shoe covers instead.“]
Staring at the trash can, Avery went silent.]
Their families had been tight for generations, so she visited almost daily, often crashing there.]]
Ethan had given her a whole bedroom, buying all these little things with her favorite bunny pattern.
He’d always said “Feel free like your home“.[]
They’d sneak embraces and kisses by the doorway, hold hands under the dinner table, cuddle in the study–all behind their parents‘ backs.[]
Now Sophia was here, and he was scared his crush might get the wrong idea.]]
So he’d tossed every single trace of her existence.
It took Avery forever to pull herself together before putting on the shoe covers.[]
The moment she walked in, she saw Ethan peeling fruit for Sophia, both of them laughing.
He sat on the couch in a custom satin suit, hair perfectly styled, wearing cologne, giving off total hot–rich–guy vibes.
Back in school, Avery had heard girls say he was so hot he could make a garbage bag look good–and if he ever actually dressed up, he’d put Hollywood stars to shame.
But normally Ethan was chill, just wearing T–shirts and jeans, never giving a crap about fashion.]]
So he did dress up for someone he actually liked, huh?
The guy who had sex with me yesterday now barely acknowledged her, glancing once before focusing entirely on Sophia.[]
From hobbies to weather, work to jewelry brands, childhood stories to school memories.[]
Watching Ethan desperately keeping the conversation going. Avery bit back a bitter laugh.[]
So he could actually make an effort with someone he cared about.
“It’s funny–in high school, you were a year ahead, different building and everything, but we kept running into each other. What are the odds?” Sophia said with a smile.
Seeing Ethan’s ears turn red, Avery silently snickered
Odds? Yeah right!
Those were all “coincidences” Ethan had engineered
Back then, Avery had followed him around, watching him pull out all the stops for his crush, feeling like crap.
Chapter 2
Later when Sophia went abroad, she thought she’d finally gotten her wish.[]
But now it seemed Ethan was the one getting what he wanted all along.
Lost in thought, Avery suddenly heard her name.
0
“In high school, I heard you had this super close childhood friend. That must be you, right?” Sophia asked.[]
Avery froze, looking up to see Sophia’s curious gaze.
Before she could answer, Ethan’s parents jumped in.]
“Oh yeah, they were attached at the hip growing up! We even joked about arranging a marriage-”
Halfway through, Ethan’s face darkened as he cut them off.
“Mom, Dad, stop. I would never, ever date Avery. Like, ever.”
ver.”
Avery lowered her eyes to hide the pain, forcing a smile. “Same. I’d date literally anyone else but Ethan.”
At her words, Ethan’s expression froze for a split second before he quickly recovered.[]
He threw his arm around her shoulders like she was one of the guys, totally casual. “Exactly! We’re just bros. Purely platonic.“[]
The whole living room seemed to relax.
Avery smiled along, faintly catching Ethan’s relieved whisper.[]
“Nice save. Thanks.“]
She said nothing, just quietly moved a few steps away from him.]
Save? No.
Everything she’d said was the absolute truth.]
