dn't bel

re

funny. Moving in with Liam? My parents called, they're... confuse

itting in Liam's sun-filled kitchen, a cup o

ous of Chloe, of the attention I'm givin

this was about jealo

ng? This is crazy. We're g

voice calm. "Liam and

rrow. Come on, Ava, drop the act. It was funny for

t let him stew in his disbelief. Let him thin

up, fr

. You know she's fragile. We'll laugh about this later. I promise. Onc

it without

dding plans. A small, elegant ceremony. He suggeste

m. His quiet strength, the intelligence in his eyes

hy or charming in that overwhel

m. A rare first-edition book on architectural histo

rownstone, Ethan was the

smug look on his face. Next to him, on

this?"

g about some of your things, you know, women's stuff in the bathroom, clothes in the closet. Eas

ife with him, redu

vacation in Italy. A small, handmade ceramic bowl I'd bought at a cra

lly throwing

gs," he continued, oblivious to the storm brewing insid

m and

aning on Ethan's arm. She looked pale

han was just telling me you're helpi

. "Is that old stuff? Good t

, unable

t her. "Exactl

onspiratorial wink. "Just

g on "double dates" and "family" dinners. Sh

en because Chloe "remembered" loving it. It was the kind of place I fou

asting. Chloe shivered. "Oo

nsive suit jacket and draped it ov

cooed, snugg

never gave up his jacket. For me, he'd always suggest I should have brought a swea

nder the table, while Chloe was animatedly tell

ly. Just keeping up appea

I was too busy h

ance. And with Chloe, he was giving an Oscar-worthy

and gestures, of selfless acts like gi

not f

r fo

n't just chosen Chloe now; in a way, he'd chosen his capacity for that kind of love

, stumbled. A tray laden with st