It sounds strange, I know, but they weren't just random guys. They were all orphans my father had taken in over the years, raising

was only one who m

about him that I found captivating. I spent years trying to break through his shell, doing anything to get his attention. I became his

e shatte

opped behind a large potted palm, my heart pounding when I recognized his voice. He was with Chloe Hayes, his "si

voice was soft, laced with a vulnerabili

as filled with a tenderness I had never heard. "You'

ted, the carefully constructed fantasy I had lived in crumbling around me. I backed away slow

ng, a cold resolve settled over me. If Liam didn't want me, I would find someone who

ng." His voice was c

eady. "This is Ava Green. Your proposal for a stra

he other end. "Miss Gr

a

to my father. He sat behind his larg

s? Ethan Miller is our bigge

ied, looking him straight in t

ough his graying hair. "This

hen the others complained he was too cold, how I'd made excuses for his indifference. I'd told mysel

The other six boyfriends were gathered, chatting with Chloe, w

he actually thinks Liam might like her. She has n

et her keep dreaming. The more she likes Liam, the eas

an, guys. Ava's my friend." But he

all of them. They were all part of a scheme, wi

red huddled together in an alley after their parents died. The others all had similar tragic st

lothes, my jewelry, my secrets with her. I always made sure sh

always took her side. I had even scolded Liam for not being nicer to her. He had looked at me with suc

nt straight to Chloe, his eyes softening as he knelt beside her chair and fixed

ire life. The betrayal was a physical blow, kno