Getting jealous

Chapter Five

Ethan stood frozen, his mind scrambling to process what had just happened. Jake. Ex-boyfriend. Back in town.

Lila's smile was warm as she talked to Jake, her body language open and familiar. It was subtle, but Ethan noticed—how she leaned slightly toward him, the way her eyes sparkled just a little more. He had spent so much time memorizing every detail about her, and now, every tiny movement felt like a punch to the gut.

Jake was charming, effortlessly sliding into conversation like he had never left. "So, how have you been? It's been, what, two years?"

Lila nodded. "Yeah, about that long. Wow, time flies."

Ethan clenched his jaw. Two years. And yet, the way she looked at him, it was as if no time had passed at all.

Jake's gaze flickered to Ethan. "So, you and Lila… are you guys—?"

Lila laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Oh! No, we're just friends."

Just friends.

The words rang in Ethan's head, hollow and sharp.

Jake smirked. "Good to know."

Ethan's grip on the book tightened. He knew that smirk. It was the kind that said game on.

Lila, oblivious to the tension crackling between them, smiled. "We were actually just picking out a book. Do you still read as much as you used to?"

Jake chuckled. "Not as much, but I could be convinced." He glanced at the shelves, then back at her. "Got any recommendations?"

Lila grinned. "Always." She turned to Ethan. "Give me a second?"

He forced a nod, stepping back as she led Jake down the aisle, already launching into a passionate explanation of her latest favorite novel.

Ethan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. This wasn't how today was supposed to go. He was finally going to tell her. And now… now there was Jake.

Jenna's words from earlier replayed in his head—lovebirds. Had he been stupid for thinking maybe, just maybe, Lila saw him as more than a friend?

Across the bookstore, she laughed at something Jake said, her voice light and easy.

Ethan swallowed hard. Maybe he had waited too long.

⟡⟡⟡

Later that evening, Ethan sat on his bed, staring at his phone. The unread message from Lila glowed on the screen.

Lila: Hey! It was great running into Jake today. Crazy, right? He invited me to grab coffee tomorrow. Wanna come?

Ethan hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. A dozen replies ran through his mind.

No, I don't want to go.

Actually, I'd rather not watch you fall for your ex all over again.

Forget it. I was going to tell you something today, but it doesn't matter anymore.

Instead, he typed:

Ethan: Can't. Have plans.

A lie.

He tossed his phone onto the bed and leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling.

Maybe he really had waited too long.