1 My best friend, Maya, was on the phone for the tenth time this month, her voice a panicked whisper. My own stomach was in knots. “Just tell him I’m at your place, okay? Do not, under any circumstances, let him know I’m on a date. My brother will literally kill me.” “Got it, got it,” I promised. Maya’s family was old-school strict. Dating before you were practically middle-aged was a no-go, and her parents had deputized her older brother as her official watchdog. So, every time Maya snuck out with her boyfriend, I became the designated alibi. The second she hung up, a new call popped up on my screen. Her brother. My hand shook as I answered. “Hello?” I tried to keep my voice steady. “Maya said she was hanging out at your place. You two together right now?” The man’s voice on the other end was a lazy drawl, laced with a hint of amusement. “Yep! She’s right here,” I said instantly. “Is that so? Funny, I’ve been trying to call you both for a few minutes, and both your lines were busy. Someone might think you were cooking up a story you didn’t want me to hear.” Maya’s brother was, as always, way too sharp. But this wasn’t my first rodeo. I had a system. I pinched my thigh, hard, and forced a little wobble into my voice. “Well, if you don’t trust me, Ethan, maybe you shouldn’t bother calling at all. It feels like whatever I say, you’ll just think I’m lying.” “No, wait—what? Why are you crying? I didn’t say I don’t trust you. It’s just, my sister, she’s a little… sneaky.” He sounded completely flustered, his confidence evaporating. Perfect. To seal the deal, I grabbed my tablet and played the audio file Maya had recorded for just this occasion. “Ethan, I told you I was at Chloe’s house! What kind of man makes my best friend cry?” Maya’s voice blasted from the speaker. That sent him into a full-blown panic. “Don’t cry, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have doubted you…” He started apologizing profusely, and a second later, my phone buzzed with a notification. Venmo: Ethan Shen sent you $5,000. Memo: For the emotional distress. Maya’s brother ran his own company. He was ridiculously rich and ridiculously generous. This meant he bought it. My tears vanished instantly. “Thank you, Ethan!” I chirped sweetly. Then I shot Maya a text with a single GIF: a cat giving a thumbs-up. Mission accomplished. 2 Maya’s reply was immediate: 【I love you, Chloe! You’re the best!】 It was followed by a series of her own generous Venmo payments. Like brother, like sister. To make the performance truly convincing, after her date, Maya had me meet her at the gate of her family’s mansion to stage a dramatic farewell. “Chloe, I can’t believe you have to leave already,” she wailed, clinging to my arm. “I’m going to miss you so much.” Her eyes were wide and watery. The girl deserved an Oscar. “I know, but you have to go home, and I have to go home. It’s a cruel, cruel world,” I declared loudly, projecting my voice toward the house where I knew Ethan was listening. “This is the worst!” she sobbed. Just as we were reaching the climax of our performance, the heavy front door swung open. A pair of shiny leather dress shoes stepped out, attached to a pair of impossibly long legs. “Are you done yet, Maya?” the man’s voice called out, laced with impatience. At the sound of her brother’s voice, Maya’s fake sobs intensified. “He’s calling me in. I have to go, Chloe. Goodbye!” I nodded, squeezing out a few fake tears of my own. Her brother, Ethan, walked over and held out a tissue. Maya reached for it. “Wow, I didn’t know you had it in you to be so—” Before she could finish, he angled the tissue toward me. “It’s not for you,” he told his sister flatly, his eyes on me. “It’s for our guest.” I was so surprised I just waved my hands. “Oh, no, I’m fine.” Maya rolled her eyes. “Seriously, bro? Could you play favorites any harder?” “It’s not favoritism, it’s called being a good host. We can’t have guests crying on our doorstep.” “Right, right. Your ‘hosting’ skills,” Maya muttered. Ethan was about to say something else, but his phone rang. He shot Maya a warning look before walking away to take the call. Maya stuck her tongue out at his back. “Control freak.” Seeing him leave, I figured the show was over. But as I turned to go, Maya grabbed my arm. “Chloe, I just had the best idea. You have to hear this.” 3 Maya pointed me toward Ethan, who was leaning against his car, talking on the phone. “Is my brother hot or is he hot?” she asked. My eyes automatically followed her gaze. Even in profile, with his sharp jawline and cool demeanor, he was undeniably attractive. I swallowed hard. “He’s hot,” I admitted. “So,” she said, a wicked glint in her eye, “what would you think about dating him? If you were his girlfriend, he’d be too busy with you to police my love life. Plus, he’s rich, he’s six-foot-three, he has an eight-pack…” She launched into a full sales pitch. I hesitated. “I mean, he’s a total catch, but—” But it wasn’t up to me. A guy like that could have anyone. I was just… me. Seeing my hesitation, Maya’s face fell. “You’re right. He’s a total dork. He doesn’t deserve my sweet, amazing bestie. You’re way too good for him.” “No, that’s not it!” I tried to explain. She had it completely backward. It wasn’t that I was too good for him; it was the other way around. But she cut me off, her eyes lighting up. “Wait, you’re into him? Oh my god, you could be my sister-in-law! We’d be family! We could see each other every day! This is perfect!” I’ll admit, the thought was tempting. I’m a total bestie-holic. The idea of us both getting married someday and drifting apart was my worst nightmare. But if we were family… The idea took root. “Okay,” I said, my heart starting to race. “But you have to ask him if he’d even be interested.” If he was, then I was in. 4 Maya wanted to call Ethan right then and there, but he was busy with work calls. So, she insisted I stay for dinner and we could ask him in person when he got back. It seemed like a big enough deal that an in-person conversation was better anyway. Her parents were on a trip, so it was just the two of us in the massive house. “Chloe, do you know why my parents have the ‘no dating before thirty’ rule?” she asked as we set the table. “Why?” I’d always been curious but never wanted to pry. She leaned in conspiratorially. “Because everyone in my family is a hopeless romantic. When we fall, we fall hard and for life. They’re terrified I’ll pick the wrong guy, so they want me to be older and wiser before I make that choice.” Oh. That was actually… really sweet. I had always thought it was some bizarre, controlling family rule, but it was coming from a place of love. Just as we were about to eat, Ethan came home. “Bro, just in time for dinner!” Maya said cheerfully. “Are you sick?” Ethan eyed his sister’s friendly demeanor with deep suspicion. “Just spit it out. And stop smiling like that, it’s creepy.” Maya rolled her eyes. “I wanted to set you up with someone. Do you want to meet her? She’s—” “Nope.” The single word, sharp and immediate, cut her off. My heart, which had been fluttering with nervous anticipation, dropped into my stomach. I’d expected to be rejected, but not that fast. “Oh, you’re here too?” Ethan’s voice, now laced with surprise, broke through my thoughts. He’d just finished changing his shoes and had only just noticed me sitting at the table. “Yeah,” I mumbled, feeling a hot blush creep up my neck. I suddenly wanted to be anywhere else. “Actually, Maya, I should probably head home. Now that your brother’s back, I feel like I’m intruding.” Maya knew I was making an excuse. “Don’t be silly, you’re not intruding! I invited you. Who cares what my jerk of a brother thinks? Don’t go.” To my surprise, Ethan chimed in. “She’s right about one thing. You’re not an outsider. Stay for dinner.” So I stayed, awkwardly. Maya, ever persistent, wouldn’t let it go. “Why did you say no so fast? You don’t even know who I was going to suggest. She’s amazing, she’s so—” “Doesn’t matter how amazing she is,” Ethan said, his voice losing its lazy edge and taking on a serious tone. “I’m not interested.” “Why?” Maya pressed. Ethan looked up from his plate, his gaze meeting his sister’s. “Because I already have someone I like. So even if you tried to set me up with a supermodel, I wouldn’t even look at her.” 5 Hearing that, Maya finally dropped it. After dinner, she walked me to the door, looking dejected. “Ugh, I can’t believe he didn’t tell me he liked someone. I was so excited for us to be family.” Me too. I was more disappointed than I wanted to admit. My mood was in the gutter for days. The only thing that finally dragged me out of my funk was a new event in my favorite online game. I hadn’t even logged on all week. The moment I was online, a message popped up from a gaming friend. It was from HideBehindMe, the guy I always played with. He was insanely good. 【Haven’t seen you on in a few days. Everything okay?】 I typed back: 【Not really. Feeling kind of down.】 I was a daily player, and we always teamed up. My absence was noticeable. 【Why? What’s wrong?】 I hesitated, then decided to vent. 【Met a guy I liked, but he’s not into me.】 His reply was instant. 【What a moron. If it were me, I’d have said yes in a heartbeat.】 【Huh?】 【Ahem. I mean, he’s an idiot. You’re awesome. It’s his loss, big time.】 His earnest attempt to cheer me up actually worked. A little warmth spread through my chest. A moment later, a notification popped up. He had gifted me all the new skins from the event. The very ones I had logged on to get. 【Don’t waste your time being sad over some loser. Anything else you want, just let me know.】 My gaming buddy was the best. My spirits lifted completely. 【Thanks! I’m fully recharged and ready to go!】 6 After a few rounds, I logged off. Maya’s birthday party was that afternoon, and I needed to get ready. Just as I was deciding what to wear, she called. “Chloe! I texted you the address for the party. See you there!” The venue was a huge, elegant ballroom packed with people who all looked like they’d stepped out of a magazine. I didn’t know a soul and was starting to feel seriously out of place when I heard my name. “Chloe! Over here!” Maya ran over and gave me a huge hug. “I’ve been waiting for you! See the dessert tables? I made sure they stocked all of your favorites. And you’re getting the first slice of my cake, no arguments!” Her infectious energy immediately put me at ease. I handed her the gift I’d brought—a bottle of perfume she’d been wanting for months. “Happy birthday!” Her face lit up. “Oh my god, how did you know? I love it! You’re the best!” She leaned in and whispered, “Okay, so the thing with my brother didn’t work out, but as compensation, I’ve invited a ton of single, successful guys tonight. Take your pick.” I hesitated, but she looked so determined to make me happy that I couldn’t say no. “Okay.” “Come on,” she said, pulling me toward a group of guys. “I’ll introduce you.” “Introduce what?” a low voice asked from behind us. Maya didn’t even turn around. “My best friend to a decent guy, obviously.” “Good luck with that, considering the guys you know.” Maya finally stopped and spun around. It was her brother. “What’s that supposed to mean? My friends are quality guys.”
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