On my third day in Miami, Ethan called. I didn’t
answer. Half an hour later, he texted: “I’ll hold
onto the ring for three days.”
I know what it moont We had dinar
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I knew what it meant. We had disagreements
sometimes, and he always went silent. I always
ended up caving. We’d been together since
college, me following him from New York to
settle in DC. I hadn’t considered giving up
before. Now, I was truly exhausted.
I replied: “Don’t bother. Throw it away.”
He didn’t respond. I stared at the message,
then blocked him.
- 4.
Ethan poured another drink, downing it in one gulp. He heard someone mention her. “My buddy’s seriously smitten. He called me last
night, raving about her.” Ethan slammed his
glass down. “She won’t go for it. Tell him not to waste his time.”
“How do you know, Ethan?”
<
Ethan scrolled through his phone. “Ashley’s got
someone she’s crazy about. It wouldn’t matter
if Brad Pitt himself showed up.” He grabbed his
cigarettes and walked out, the noise fading
behind him. He lit one, checking his phone
again. The last message was still hers: “Throw
it away.”
He took a drag, the smoke doing little to calm
the irritation building in his chest. He typed
angrily, “Already did.” But the message wouldn’t
send. The red exclamation point mocked him.
Blocked.
Ethan was taken aback, then a bitter laugh
escaped his lips. Fine. Let’s see how long she
could keep this up.
- 5.
My days in Miami flew by. It was the night
before my flight back to DC when I ran into an
old high school friend, David Carter. He walked
<
into the bar looking sharp in a dark suit. My
friends nudged me, giggling. I blushed, the
alcohol probably not helping. David’s gaze
settled on me. “Ashley, long time no see.”
“David, hi,” I stammered, standing up.
After he joined us, one of my friends whispered,
“I only posted on Instagram that you were in
Miami. David liked it right away. He lives abroad
now, rarely comes back. He’s totally here for
you.”
I glanced at him. He was talking to someone
else, his profile sharp and striking. He’d always
been quiet and reserved, and now seemed even
more so. I looked away. “He said he was just
passing by.”
“Coincidence? I think not!”
But when the night ended, David offered me a
ride back. Before I could decline, my friends
<
vanished. David hadn’t been drinking, so he
drove himself.
On the way to the hotel, my phone rang. It was
a friend from DC. “Ashley, drinks tomorrow
night? Ethan’s bringing his new girlfriend to meet everyone. It’s a first…”
“I probably won’t be back in time. Have fun,” I said, my voice tight.
“Come on! Ethan specifically said to invite you. You’re his best friend, after all.”
Staring out at the city lights, I gave a hollow
laugh. “We’re just friends. It doesn’t matter if
I’m there or not.”
“Ashley…”
“I have to go.” I hung up before she could say
anything else. More calls came in. I ignored
them all. Finally, my phone went silent. The car
く
stopped. David turned to me. “We’re here,
Ashley.”
I didn’t turn, my gaze fixed on the city lights
blurring through the rain–streaked window. My
heart was numb. “David,” I said, my voice barely
–
a whisper, seeing my reflection — lost and
empty. And then, the words just tumbled out.
“Want to come up?”
