Chapter 2

My part-time job kept me busy. Most days, I left early and came back late.

That day was no different. I headed straight to work after class.

As I cut across the basketball courts, a ball came flying straight at me.

I didn't have time to dodge. It slammed into me and knocked me to the ground.

"Hey, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes, still dazed, and found a clean-cut guy crouching beside me. Relief crossed his face when he saw I was conscious, and he carefully helped me up.

"I'm Ethan Cole. I'm really sorry. Let me take you to the hospital."

My head was spinning. There was no way I could go to work like this. I could only nod.

"What's going on here?"

Leo appeared out of nowhere and stepped in front of us. His eyes immediately dropped to Ethan's hand on my arm.

Ethan explained what had happened. Leo's expression stayed cold, his gaze fixed on Ethan's hand.

"Do you really need to have your hands all over her?"

My head was pounding too hard to deal with whatever this was. I pressed my lips together and told Ethan, "It's fine. I can walk."

He let go, still worried. "Tell me if it gets to be too much."

For whatever reason, Leo came with us to the hospital.

He clearly didn't like Ethan. The tension between them made the entire trip awkward.

The doctor said it was a mild concussion. Nothing serious. I just needed some rest.

Ethan still looked apologetic. "Let's swap numbers. If you need anything, just ask."

I wasn't used to someone being so attentive, but I pulled out my phone anyway. "It's fine. You didn't do it on purpose."

"Is that really necessary? Ethan, don't you already have her Instagram?"

Leo gave him a cold smile. "How else did you mix up her profile with Vivian's and send it to me?"

Ethan and I both froze.

So he was the one who'd sent Leo my profile instead of Vivian's.

No wonder Leo had been glaring at him the whole time.

The air suddenly became even more awkward.

Ethan quickly pulled up my Instagram profile. "You're Zoe?"

When I confirmed it, his expression turned serious. "I'm truly sorry. I caused that whole mix-up. I know it must have hurt you."

His words hit a nerve.

My head was already killing me, so I quickly said goodbye and headed back to the dorm.

Not long after, Ethan texted me.

"If anything feels off, message me anytime. And I owe you an apology for what happened before. Leo almost punched me over it. He stopped me from explaining because he thought it would only upset you. That's why I didn't apologize sooner."

I stared at his message for a long moment.

Leo almost punched Ethan because of me? So he isn't as indifferent to me as he seems?

Did he come to the hospital because he's worried about me? Even a little?

I immediately pushed the thought away. There was no point in reading into it.

I steadied myself and answered him. "It's water under the bridge."

My headache only got worse. I took the day off and went straight to bed when I reached the dorm.

When I woke up, Vivian was handing out desserts. "Honestly, Leo doesn't even know I don't like dessert. You guys can have them. Don't save any for me."

The others were delighted. "Thanks, Viv. Leo has to be the best catch out of all the guys chasing you. And he definitely knows where to shop. This place is expensive, and the desserts are made in limited batches."

"Can't wait for you two to make it official! Hey, Zoe, you love desserts. Why aren't you eating?"

I looked at the table and spotted my favorite burnt cheesecake among the desserts. I'd once told Leo that a slice of cake could fix almost any bad day.

He knew Vivian didn't like sweets. And he knew I did.

I rubbed my aching head and handed the cheesecake to the roommate beside me.

"Thanks, but I'm not feeling great. You can have it."

I'm the ex-girlfriend. I should know my place.

Besides, Grandma's surgery bill is still unpaid.

I can't let a piece of cake give me the wrong idea. If it isn't mine, I need to let it go with some dignity.