Chapter 1

When I got to Marvin Porter's place, he opened the door, still half-asleep.

I stood there in the doorway and said, "Let's break up."

Marvin looked stunned and asked, "Babe, what did I do wrong this time?"

"You didn't answer my call," I said.

Marvin laughed softly and reached for my hand, like he always did. "I was up late gaming with the guys last night, so I overslept and didn't hear your call.

"Let me make it up to you. I'll get ready and take you to have the Lorkran food you've been craving. How about it?"

We'd been together for seven years, and he thought I was throwing another tantrum.

I pulled away coldly. "No, I'm leaving."

He never took me seriously.

Such being the case, I didn't want him anymore.

*****

"Because I didn't answer your call this morning?" Marvin grabbed my wrist. "Come on, babe, don't make a scene.

"I swear I didn't mean to. I got a new game yesterday and ended up playing too late. I told you about it."

I pulled my hand away, my voice cold. "I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let go."

Marvin wouldn't let it go. "Is it the Lorkran food you don't like? How about we go for some steak instead?

"There's this new trendy steakhouse at the mall. Let's check it out, okay? I got a new camera..."

I looked at Marvin. "I don't feel the same anymore."

Marvin froze.

Right then, Vivian came out of the guest room, wearing loose pajamas. "Marvin, what's going on? I could hear you guys from the guest room."

I glanced at Vivian, still groggy from sleep, and couldn't help but laugh.

So this was Marvin's so-called best friend. It turned out she was a girl.

She was the one who sent me that suggestive photo, making me think Marvin had hooked up with her.

Vivian walked up to me, grinning. "Hey, Serena, what's up?"

Marvin rubbed his temples. "She's mad that I didn't pick up her call."

Vivian's eyes went wide, and she rushed over, looping her arm through mine, sounding super close. "Don't be mad at Marvin, Serena. We were up all night gaming. He didn't mean to miss your call.

"The game just launched, and I got so hooked that I dragged Marvin into an all-nighter. He didn't do it on purpose, I swear."

"We're not that close," I said, pulling my arm away. Then I looked at Marvin. "Did you change the code for your door?"

Marvin looked confused, not sure what I meant.

I repeated, "Marvin, the code for your door lock is different. I couldn't get in."

Marvin shook his head. "No way. The code's always been our anniversary."

I turned to Vivian.

Vivian spoke up as I expected, sounding casual. "Marvin, when you had your buddies over for that party the other day, most of them didn't even know Serena.

"So I went ahead and changed the door code myself. It's a tiny thing, right? Switch it back. It's no big deal. Serena is making a fuss over nothing."

Marvin let out a sigh and turned to Vivian. "Vivian, Serena's not as chill as you are. She's sensitive, so it's normal for her to get worked up over stuff like this."

"Apologize to her, okay?" Marvin rubbed his temples, sounding worn out as he spoke.

I let out a mocking laugh and stepped back. "No need. I'm nowhere near as easygoing as your best friend. None of your friends even know who I am, but everyone knows you and Vivian are tight.

"She can waltz into your place with her game, you let her stay the night, and she can even change your door code.

"So, Marvin, why don't you two move in together, get married, and I'll be there, raising a glass for you at your wedding. How about that?"

"Serena, you're going too far," Marvin said, frowning as he stepped forward, automatically putting himself between Vivian and me. "Vivian and I have been friends forever.

"If there were anything between us, it would've happened a long time ago. Why are you making a fuss? We were up late gaming, and I couldn't let her go home alone, could I?

"Moreover, she crashed in the guest room last night. Seriously, stop making such a big deal out of this. Vivian's right. It's a door code. Change it back. What's the problem?"

He said that if there was anything between them, it would have happened a long time ago.

I fixed Marvin with a cold stare. "Guess you finally noticed Vivian's a girl."