My Best Friend’s Sister Ran Up Beside Me… Then Grinned, “You Always Make Girls Chase You?”
Chapter 4
Ethan decided distance was safer.
For two weeks, he became deliberately unavailable.
No extra coffee.
No random calls.
No one-on-one dinners.
When Olivia texted, he replied politely.
She noticed.
Of course she noticed.
One Friday night, she called.
“Are you avoiding me?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
He sighed.
“Olivia.”
“What?”
“We shouldn’t complicate things.”
She was quiet.
“Did I?”
“You didn’t.”
“Then who did?”
“I did.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Because you like me?”
He froze.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then Olivia whispered:
“I like you too.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
“That’s exactly why.”
“Why what?”
“Why this is dangerous.”
“For who?”
“Everyone.”
She laughed softly.
“That sounds dramatic.”
“It is.”
“Maybe.”
He heard a car door close on her end.
“Where are you?”
“Outside your building.”
His heart jumped.
“Olivia.”
“I need to see you.”
He went downstairs.
She stood on the sidewalk wearing jeans, a sweater, and a determined expression.
“You came.”
“Of course.”
She looked at him.
“I don’t want you disappearing.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
He sighed.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
“From Ryan.”
She smiled.
“My brother doesn’t own me.”
“I know.”
“Then stop acting like he does.”
Ethan stared.
She stepped closer.
“If I choose someone, that’s my choice.”
“I know.”
“Then let me make it.”
Her words stayed between them.
Ethan realized she was right.
He had been making decisions for both of them.
Not because she was younger.
Not because she was Ryan’s sister.
Because he was scared.
“I’m sorry.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
He laughed.
“That’s it?”
“For now.”
They walked to a nearby diner.
They talked for hours.
Olivia told him about her mother.
Her career.
Her fear of disappointing people.
Ethan told her about his failed relationship.
His father.
His decision to move cities.
The conversation was easy.
At two in the morning, Ethan drove her home.
Before she got out, she turned.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Are you still afraid?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m afraid too.”
She stepped closer.
Then kissed his cheek.
Nothing more.
Ethan froze.
She smiled.
“Goodnight.”
She left.
The next morning, Ryan called Ethan.
“Did you see Olivia last night?”
Ethan swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“We talked.”
“About?”
“Nothing.”
Ryan laughed.
“You sound nervous.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Ethan knew he couldn’t hide forever.
Not from himself.
Not from Olivia.
And eventually, not from Ryan.
But he wanted to make sure the relationship was real before risking his friendship.
So he asked Olivia out properly.
Dinner.
Just the two of them.
No secrets.
No pretending.
She said yes.
Their first real date was simple.
Italian restaurant.
Walk afterward.
Coffee.
They laughed.
Talked.
Held hands.
At the end of the night, Olivia looked at him.
“You know what I like about you?”
“What?”
“You don’t treat me like Ryan’s little sister.”
He smiled.
“That’s because you’re not.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Good.”
They kissed for the first time.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then separated.
Neither spoke.
They didn’t need to.
They had chosen.
Now they only had to tell Ryan.
