My Best Friend’s Sister Ran Up Beside Me… Then Grinned, “You Always Make Girls Chase You?”
Chapter 5
Ryan found out in the worst possible way.
He walked into Ethan’s apartment without knocking.
Then stopped.
Ethan and Olivia were sitting on the couch.
Her head rested against his shoulder.
Ryan stared.
Olivia sat upright.
Ethan stood.
“Ryan.”
Ryan pointed at his sister.
“Why is she here?”
Olivia sighed.
“We were going to tell you.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
Ryan looked at Ethan.
“You?”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes.”
“You’ve known her for years.”
“Yes.”
“And you waited until now?”
“I was scared.”
Ryan laughed without humor.
“Of me?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Olivia stood.
“Ryan.”
“No.”
He turned to Ethan.
“You promised.”
“I know.”
“You promised you’d never date my sister.”
“I know.”
“And?”
Ethan took a breath.
“And I broke that promise.”
Ryan looked furious.
Olivia stepped between them.
“You don’t get to decide this.”
Ryan looked at her.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“I know.”
“He’s my best friend.”
“And?”
“And I know him.”
Olivia smiled.
“Then you should know he treats me well.”
Ryan looked at Ethan.
He was silent.
Finally, he asked:
“Do you love her?”
The question shocked Ethan.
He looked at Olivia.
Then back at Ryan.
“Yes.”
Ryan’s expression changed.
For a second, he looked hurt.
Then tired.
He walked toward the door.
“I’m going home.”
Olivia followed.
“Ryan.”
He stopped.
“I need time.”
She nodded.
“Okay.”
He left.
Ethan sat down.
He felt sick.
Olivia sat beside him.
“He’s angry.”
“I know.”
“Will he forgive us?”
“I don’t know.”
She leaned against him.
“We’ll give him time.”
The next few days were uncomfortable.
Ryan stopped answering Ethan’s calls.
He still talked to Olivia.
But only briefly.
Ethan didn’t chase.
He understood.
Then Ryan showed up at his office.
Ethan stood.
Ryan said:
“I want to know something.”
“What?”
“Why her?”
Ethan frowned.
“Because she’s Olivia.”
“That’s not enough.”
Ethan thought.
“Because she challenges me.”
“How?”
“She doesn’t care about my reputation.”
Ryan nodded.
“Go on.”
“She makes me honest.”
Ryan looked at him.
“And?”
“I’ve known a lot of women.”
“I know.”
“But I’ve never wanted to build something with any of them.”
Ryan studied him.
“You love her.”
“Yes.”
“You’re serious?”
“Completely.”
Ryan sighed.
“I hate this.”
Ethan smiled sadly.
“I know.”
“But…”
Ryan paused.
“If you hurt her, I will never forgive you.”
“You won’t have to.”
Ryan nodded.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“She doesn’t need you to rescue her.”
“I know.”
“Don’t try.”
“I won’t.”
Ryan walked toward the door.
Then turned.
“I’m still angry.”
“Fair.”
“But I’m less angry.”
Ethan smiled.
“Progress.”
Ryan left.
That evening, Olivia came over.
“How did it go?”
Ethan smiled.
“He didn’t kill me.”
She laughed.
“Excellent.”
They hugged.
It wasn’t a perfect beginning.
But it was real.
They decided to take things slowly.
No rushing.
No hiding.
No pretending.
For the first time, Ethan wasn’t dating someone because she liked him.
He was dating someone he had chosen.
And Olivia wasn’t chasing a man everyone else wanted.
She had chosen the one who was afraid to let himself fall.
