My Best Friend’s Sister Ran Up Beside Me… Then Grinned, “You Always Make Girls Chase You?”
Chapter 2
Ethan tried to convince himself that the conversation meant nothing.
It was one joke.
One smile.
One afternoon.
He had known Olivia for years.
She had simply grown up.
That was all.
At least, that was what he told himself while checking his phone for a message that never came.
Three days passed.
Then Ryan called.
“Tomorrow night.”
Ethan answered while walking out of the office.
“What?”
“My sister needs a ride.”
“Okay.”
“She has a client event downtown.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because my car is at the mechanic.”
Ethan laughed.
“Call a rideshare.”
Ryan sighed.
“She asked for you.”
Ethan stopped walking.
“She did?”
“Apparently.”
“Why?”
“She said you’re reliable.”
Ethan grinned.
“She said that?”
“Don’t get excited.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
“I really wasn’t.”
Ryan sighed.
“Just pick her up at seven.”
The next evening, Ethan waited outside Olivia’s apartment.
She stepped outside wearing a dark green dress and carrying a small black bag.
He stared.
She noticed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re staring.”
He laughed.
“I’m not.”
She smiled.
“You’re doing the same thing you accuse other people of doing.”
He opened the car door.
“Get in.”
She laughed.
“Bossy.”
“Ryan’s influence.”
The drive downtown was easy.
They talked about work.
Olivia’s company had recently been hired to coordinate a luxury charity event.
She was responsible for vendors, sponsors, schedules, and celebrities.
“Sounds stressful.”
“It is.”
“Then why do it?”
She smiled.
“Because I like creating things.”
“What kind?”
“Moments.”
Ethan looked at her.
She continued.
“When people walk into an event and forget everything else for a few hours, I like knowing I helped make that happen.”
He smiled.
“That’s actually impressive.”
She looked surprised.
“Thank you.”
“You thought I wouldn’t say that?”
“I thought you’d make a joke.”
“I can.”
“But?”
“But I like listening to you.”
Silence.
Olivia looked out the window.
When they arrived, Ethan walked her inside.
A woman immediately greeted her.
“Liv! Thank God.”
Olivia turned to Ethan.
“Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck.”
“Why?”
“You’re good.”
She smiled.
“Stay?”
“I’ll wait.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
She laughed.
“Okay.”
Two hours later, Ethan was still there.
He watched Olivia move through the room.
She handled problems calmly.
One vendor was late.
A speaker’s microphone failed.
The catering company sent the wrong dessert.
Olivia solved everything.
She looked completely different from the woman who had teased him at the barbecue.
Professional.
Focused.
Confident.
When the event ended, she found him near the entrance.
“You stayed.”
“I said I would.”
She smiled.
“You know most people would have left.”
“I’m not most people.”
She looked at him.
“Apparently not.”
They drove home.
Halfway there, Olivia asked:
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why don’t you ever chase anyone?”
He laughed.
“Where did that come from?”
“I’ve watched you.”
“You’ve watched me?”
She smiled.
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
He laughed.
“Fine.”
She waited.
He thought for a moment.
“Maybe because I haven’t met anyone worth chasing.”
She looked at him.
“Interesting.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He glanced over.
She was smiling.
When they reached her apartment, she didn’t get out immediately.
“Ethan.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
“For the ride?”
“For staying.”
He smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
She opened the door.
Then leaned back inside.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
She paused.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
Her grin returned.
“You always make girls chase you?”
He laughed.
“Apparently.”
She closed the door.
Ethan watched her walk away.
Then whispered to himself:
“Not you.”
But he wasn’t sure whether he meant it as a challenge…
Or a confession.
