Step into love

Torn Betwe

und Mia's arrival, making it impossible for her to settle down. The excitement she

h nothing. She had to remind herself it was only one movie night-yet the idea of Mia trying to reclaim Ethan's

was like silent friction. When they met for lunch, Ava tried to keep things light, cra

?" Ethan asked, his smile bright t

picked at her food. "Popcorn, movies, and a sid

anding. "I didn't know she'd show up last night. I'm sorry. I

ool. Just... let's not make it weird,

emained with an edge of unce

ll, she was a nervous wreck. She met Ethan at the car, and together the

va felt jealous as Mia hung herself over him, and her heart continued to sink further when they all sat i

Mia, flipping through the streaming servic

va couldn't focus on it. Every time Mia emitted one of those guttural laughs or just reached out to touch Ethan's arm in some übe

kitchen. Ava and Ethan remained in the room, where the air seemed to

t like this," he said softl

rt raced as she said, "I know,

uld tell he did care. But before she could respond, Mia cam

ed, her eyes sparkling as she

inking again. "Just talking abo

han to the past that they shared. The thrill of their secret connection was being shadowed by

exhausted. Mia jumped up, stretching. "T

each his eyes as he looked ov

rt from a yearning for what they had shared in private. She had t

enly overwhelmed. She couldn't take it anymore. "I think I n

an asked concern et

waiting for a response as she slipped out the

shing and cooling, yet unable to wash away the turmoil inside. She walked to t

en, and Ethan appeared, his face set in an e

her chest. "I just needed a moment," she sa

n them shrinking. "You don't have to act with

ath. "I don't want to lose what we have, Ethan. But every

s into his. "You're not losing me.

insecurities began to lift. But just then, as they were about to le

ming back in? I

Releasing her grasp on Ethan's hands, she plastered a polit

ning. There was a line drawn now between friendship and something more. The more moments they spent

irl. Is it true?" He glanced teasingl

d his mouth to reply, but before he could get one word out, Mia jumped in, ful

ings. As Jordan played with Mia, Ethan's eyes

was fanning the fires of competition that she had been trying all

e kitchen and in the direction of the bathroom. She shut t

to her with regard to Ethan. The stakes were mounting, and

heard muffled voic

Ethan was saying. "But

But you can't keep playing it safe. You've got

into the door, her breath catchin

n, Jordan