Chapter 4

I started liking Ryan because of one simple moment.

Freshman year, after school, it started pouring and I'd forgotten my umbrella. I waited forever, but the rain wouldn't stop. Finally, I rolled up my trousers and prepared to run to the bus stop.

"Hey, you don't have an umbrella?" someone called out.

I turned to see a guy with a backpack—fair-skinned and tall. He walked over casually. "I'm heading out too. Want to share?"

Something about his serious, handsome face made my heart race. I nodded, flustered. "Thanks."

Maybe it was love at first sight.

He was from the class next door. Sophomore year, we ended up in the same class, sitting one behind the other. With Sophie always coming over to talk to him, I got to know him too.

After hanging out for a while, I figured out they'd grown up together, and Ryan clearly liked her. So I buried my feelings, thinking I hid them well—only to realize later he'd known all along.

Ryan rushed home at dawn, desperate to fix things. But when he saw the cold dishes still on the table and the unopened gift box, panic hit him.

He ran to the bedroom and noticed the dressing table looked emptier. Dread creeping in, he opened the closet and stared. So much of my stuff was gone.

He called me over and over. I never picked up.

Helpless, he called Chloe.

Still groggy, she didn't check who was calling—she just hung up. But the caller kept trying.

Finally, she picked up, annoyed. "Who is this? It's way too early. What's so urgent?"

"Chloe, is Emily with you?" Ryan's voice was tight with worry.

Recognizing him made Chloe more pissed. "Oh, now you're looking for her? Screw you." She hung up.

Hearing that, Ryan actually felt relieved. Knowing I was safe at Chloe's, he showered, changed for work, and left—planning to wait until I cooled down before apologizing.

Chloe dozed off again, but when she reached for the other side of the bed, it was empty. She jolted awake and hurried out. I wasn't anywhere. Panicked, she called me.

I'd barely slept when my mom called way too early.

"Emmy, are you up yet?"

"Mom," I mumbled, checking the clock. "It's only a little after seven."

"Did you forget what I told you? Get up and get ready—you're meeting Mary's son. Hurry up!" She sounded fed up. "He's probably on his way. I'll send you the address."

I rubbed my temples. Who would schedule a blind date this early? Sighing inwardly, I replied, "Fine, I got it."

After hanging up, I squeezed in a few more minutes of sleep before jumping up and rushing through my routine. In the mirror, I looked awful—dull skin, massive eye bags, total exhaustion.

I dug out my makeup and really worked to fake looking alive. Then I changed into something decent, grabbed a ride, and headed to the date.

As I scanned the place, a deep voice called out, "Ms. Summers, over here."

I turned to see a man in a black suit—stern gaze, sharp features, the kind that screamed 'keep your distance.'

Feeling awkward, I walked over.

He stood and pulled out a chair for me.

"Thanks." I nodded. Such a gentleman.

"I'm Ethan Carter, executive director of the Carter Group."

"I'm Emily Summers. I work at a small company."

Awkward silence.

At a loss, I sipped my coffee. Then Ethan cut to the chase. "I think you're great, Ms. Summers. What do you think of me?"

I stared at him, stunned. Was he always this direct?

I gave a nervous chuckle, "You seem nice too, Mr. Carter."

Ethan looked at me, his gaze unreadable. "If you feel right, we could just get married in a couple of days."

The coffee went down wrong and I ended up choking, face burning.

I stammered, "Wait, aren't we just on a blind date?"

Suddenly, my ringtone went off, breaking the awkward silence.

I glanced at Ethan, embarrassed. "Excuse me, I need to take this."

"Hey Chloe, what's up?"

"Where are you?"

I covered my mouth and whispered, "Just meeting someone—I'll tell you when I get back."

I looked up to catch Ethan watching me with an amused almost-smile. I was mortified.

He arched an eyebrow and said flatly, "No rush—just think it over."