Chapter 11: Awkward Encounters

Ava sat curled up on the couch, her eyes on the front door. She had been waiting for hours, hoping Noah or Liam would come back to help her talk to Ethan. Her nerves were starting to wear thin, but she didn’t want to face Ethan alone, not after what happened in the gym.

Just as she was about to give up and go to bed, the door swung open. Ava’s heart leaped, but it sank as soon as she realized it was only Ethan. He walked in, his suit was a little wrinkled, and his tie hung loose around his neck.

Gathering her courage, Ava called out, “Are Noah and Liam sleeping out?”

Ethan stopped, looked at her with no expression, and said, “They have their own houses.” Then, without waiting for a reply, he kept walking down the hall, leaving Ava standing there, feeling a little dumb.

"Just like that?" she muttered to herself, watching him disappear down the hall.

The next morning, Ava woke up early, determined to talk to Ethan. She wasn’t going to let her nerves stop her this time. After quickly get