I was the backup plan for three different men. Number one was my childhood best friend. His heart still belonged to his high school sweetheart. Number two was the lead singer of an indie band. After we slept together, he lit a cigarette and said, "We're still just friends, right?" Number three was my boss. He warned me with an icy stare, "Don't get any ideas. I will only marry a woman from a family of equal standing." Then, my mom started pressuring me to go on blind dates. Suddenly, my childhood best friend was at my door with a marriage license. The rock star was texting me, "I can't live without you." And my boss was on one knee, holding a diamond the size of a pigeon's egg. Seriously? I thought we all agreed this was just for fun. * 1 My mom called, nagging me about another blind date. "I know, I know," I said, trying to get her off the phone. "Just text me the time and place." As I hung up, Alex came out of the bathroom. He had his beige cashmere sweater pushed up to his elbows, and in his hands, he was holding the underwear I'd left to soak. He walked across the living room and out onto the balcony to hang them up to dry. "Who was that?" "My mom." He adjusted my lingerie so it would catch the morning sun, then turned to look at me. The soft light framed him in gold, making his amber eyes look like autumn leaves. "So you won't be home for dinner tonight. I made fish and some vegetables. The fish is staying warm on the stove, and you can just microwave the veggies." He pulled his sleeves down and ruffled my hair, a gesture that was almost painfully tender. "Don't order takeout." I mumbled something noncommittal as I watched him grab his bag and head for the door. I knew exactly where he was going. His one true love was flying in from London today. * 2 I lived with Alex. He treated me like a daughter, hand-washing my delicates, cooking all my meals. I didn't have to lift a finger. But I wasn't his girlfriend. He was waiting for Ava. Technically, that made me the backup plan. I used to have more self-respect than this. It's all those cheesy YA novels' fault. The ones about the quirky, average girl and the quiet, devoted boy-next-door who secretly loves her. I read one and thought, *Hey, that's me and Alex.* We were childhood best friends, inseparable. He was kind and gentle, but I was the only one he was ever really close to. I was average in every way—looks, grades, personality. But he was always there, walking me to and from school, helping me with my homework, even bringing snacks for all my friends, telling them, "Please be patient with Rosie." I let it go to my head. I was a teenager in love. I started keeping a diary, knitting him scarves, baking him cookies. Then came graduation night. Alex showed up at our class party with a bouquet of flowers and a gift. The private room at the karaoke bar was loud and chaotic, but when the boy in the crisp white shirt started singing a soft, romantic ballad, everyone quieted down. He finished the song, his voice full of a sweet, boyish sincerity that almost brought me to tears. "I just want to tell you," he said into the microphone, his eyes scanning the room, "that I really, really like you—" I jumped to my feet. "I like you too!" I blurted out. "—Ava," he finished. The room went dead silent. Every single person turned to stare at me. My face was on fire. "I have to pee!" I yelled, then mumbled, "Excuse me, sorry," as I stumbled out of the room. When I came back, I peeked through the crack in the door. There they were, the beautiful class president and my handsome best friend, standing on the little stage. "Kiss her!" someone yelled. The boy in white leaned down, his voice soft and reverent. "Can I, Ava?" The girl blushed and nodded. I didn't watch the rest. * 3 After that, I avoided Alex like the plague. He showed up at my house, and I tried to run. He grabbed my wrist, his grip surprisingly strong. "Rosie." "I've always just thought of you as a sister," he said. Oh, a sister? What kind of brother helps his "sister" with her homework with his face so close he can feel her breath on his cheek? He was a walking, talking mixed signal. But I was a master of saving face. I forced a smile. "Haha, it's okay, Alex. You're a great brother. Thanks for everything." He just looked at me with those big, sad puppy-dog eyes of his. "So you're not mad at me? You'll stop avoiding me?" "Of course," I said. Then I applied to a college on the opposite side of the country. See ya. * 4 For four years, Alex and I were "friends." When he texted, he'd reply in seconds. When I texted, I'd reply in days. He said he'd visit during breaks, so I'd book a trip with my roommates. Then, the year after I graduated, he told me he was being transferred to my city for work. I was living alone, and I was not thriving. I was drowning in work, navigating a minefield of office politics, and I was exhausted. I had been up for two straight nights when I opened my door to find him standing there. My apartment was a disaster zone of takeout containers and scattered clothes. He was dressed impeccably, holding a bag of fresh fruit. His eyes landed on the dark circles under mine. He just smiled that familiar, gentle smile. "I knew you wouldn't be taking care of yourself." "What are you doing here?" I snapped, my patience worn thin. He just gently nudged me aside and walked in, heading for the kitchen to wash the fruit as if he owned the place. "I didn't say you could come in," I grumbled, following him. He just handed me a bowl of strawberries. "Sit. Eat." Before I could protest, he started cleaning. The dirty dishes in the sink, the hair clogging the shower drain, the mess of tampons and pads falling out of my bathroom cabinet… Four hours later, I was sitting in my sparkling clean living room, the sun warming my skin. On the coffee table was a bowl of chicken noodle soup he had made from scratch. I looked up at him. He was still mopping the floor. He was wearing the silly teddy bear apron I'd bought as a joke, and it hugged his lean waist. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, catching the light. I narrowed my eyes. "What's the deal, Alex?" He turned to me, his smile as warm as the sun. "Rosie, I've been taking care of you since we were kids." "I'm afraid your girlfriend will come over here and murder me in my sleep," I said. "Don't drag me into your drama." He flinched, the light in his eyes dimming. "Ava and I broke up a long time ago. She went to grad school in London." I looked down at my soup and started to eat. I didn't say a word.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "385214", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel