His face paled:
“This is clearly Mr. Smith’s house.”
The couple thought for a moment, then explained:
“You must mean the previous owners.”
“Previous owners?”
“Yes, we bought this house over three months ago.”
“But where did they go?”
“How would I know?”
The couple closed the door.
Ethan stood there, completely bewildered.
Lily had moved? Why didn’t he know?
Why hadn’t she told him where she’d gone, or if she was ever coming back?
He wanted to go back and get answers, when his phone pinged with a notification.
His friend had sent him a message:
“Check Lily’s Facebook.”
“She’s made it official.”
Ethan opened Lily’s profile.
She rarely used Facebook, and almost never posted updates. Though she’d blocked his number, she hadn’t blocked him on social platforms.
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As soon as he accessed her page, he saw a photo of her with a guy.
The young man wore a white short–sleeved shirt and black dress pants. Dark hair fell carelessly across his forehead, giving him an untamed look.
He was gazing down at the girl in a white dress beside him.
The pair stood under a large Platanus, looking perfectly matched,
Her caption read: [The puppy wants his title.]
When Chase walked me to my building that night, I had fallen asleep in the car.
“Babe, we’re here.”
I opened my eyes to see his slender, pale neck in the dim light, his Adam’s apple moving slightly as he spoke.
Instinctively, I wanted to leave my mark on it.
So I leaned forward and kissed his throat.
He froze, his breathing suddenly rapid.
A moment later, I realized what I’d done. When I pulled away, I’d left a faint red mark.
His dark eyes were intense, as if he wanted to devour me.
I suddenly remembered reading online that guys in their late teens can’t always control their thoughts.
They’re easily ignited.
I opened the car door and jumped out, ready to run home.
Chase got out and caught my hand, pulling me back.
His eyes still had that intense look..
“Chase, what are you doing?”
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He stared at me.
For a long time, he didn’t speak.
Finally, he lowered his head and kissed my neck.
“Returning the favor.”
Then he released my hand.
Just as I was about to leave, someone called my name in a hoarse voice from nearby:
“Lily.”
I looked in that direction.
Under the yellowish streetlight, Ethan stood there, his face ashen.
His eyes seemed reddened.
He walked toward me.
“We need to talk.”
I hadn’t expected to see Ethan again. After Dad resigned and our family moved away, we no longer had any connection or entanglement.
I sighed:
“There’s nothing to talk about between us.”
I turned to go upstairs.
He stepped forward, his voice pleading:
“Just for a moment, please?”
“Lily, I’m sorry, okay?”
“I shouldn’t have forced you to transfer to Lincoln right before SAT.”
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“I thought you’d stay. I was just caught up in something new with Vanessa.”
“Vanessa and I never officially started anything. I’ve broken things off with her.”
“Can we make up? Come back, and things can be like they were before.”
Ethan had always been proud by nature.
I’d never seen him looking so hopeful and pleading.
“We can’t go back, Ethan.”
Not wanting to hear more, I tugged at Chase’s sleeve.
He looked down and ruffled my hair:
“Go upstairs first.”
I nodded and walked away.
Behind me, Ethan tried to follow, but Chase grabbed his shoulder.
I heard sounds of them scuffling.
But I didn’t stop.
What was there to worry about with a guy who could take on ten people in an alley fight?
I did overhear part of their conversation:
“Who do you think you are?”
“Lily and I grew up together. Do you know that?”
Followed by Chase’s cold voice:
“So what?”
“I’m her boyfriend now.”
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Chapter 8
“If you want to talk childhood connections, Lily and I…”
The elevator doors closed, cutting off the rest of his words.
