Chapter 3

I realized he meant Ethan and thought back to five years ago.

One night, I mentioned in passing that my stomach hurt. Ethan had driven halfway across town to bring me medicine.

He’d crouched by my bed and held my cold hands between his.

“If you don’t feel well, call me. Don’t tough it out alone.”

On another date, I spilled my milk tea on his coat. He wiped my hands first and laughed as he asked if I’d burned myself.

He had once treated me well. That was true.

So when my stomach hurt so badly I could barely stand while I was working late on the proposal, I still called him.

He sounded irritated.

“Emma, you’re an adult. Do you need me to teach you how to buy medicine?”

“I have work tomorrow. Don’t make this my problem.”

The next morning, I saw him bring hot porridge to Sophie’s desk.

“I heard you didn’t have much of an appetite. Try to eat a little.”

Sophie knocked over her coffee as she opened the bag. It splashed onto his sleeve.

He didn’t even frown. He checked her hand first.

The car was quiet.

I picked at my fingers. After a long moment, I said, “He wasn’t always like this.”

The words embarrassed me as soon as I said them.

For years, I’d been using the Ethan from five years ago to make excuses for the Ethan he’d become.

Ryan took a tissue and dabbed away my tears.

“Weren’t you sure you wouldn’t regret it? Why are you crying?”

I blinked and let out a fresh wave of tears.

“I can be sad about losing five years, can’t I? Five years is a lot!”

Ryan sat back and glanced at me.

“I should’ve taken a job here sooner. I could’ve helped.”

I sighed and shook my head. “Better late than never. I’m only really letting go now.”

He started the car, his tone as sharp as ever.

“At least you’re thinking clearly again. You’ve always had better taste in projects than in men.”

The ache in my chest eased a little at his words.

I even managed to tease him. “Ryan, you’re taking one of your employees away from a celebration dinner this late. Aren’t you worried people will talk?”

He stopped at a red light, opened a bottle of warm water, and handed it to me. His smile made him look softer.

“You’re single now. What’s there to worry about?”

The lights outside swept past the window. I was quiet for a few seconds, then laughed.

Ryan’s smile widened.

“Go to work as usual tomorrow. I’ll give you clear assignments. Come straight to me if you need anything.”

I nodded and curled up in the passenger seat, looking around.

Five years had changed Ryan. I started studying him more closely. When he wasn’t talking, he was actually very easy on the eyes.

He noticed me staring and turned his face toward me without a hint of embarrassment.

I panicked and pulled the blanket over my face.

“Look at that peacock showing off. It’s terrifying.”