CHAPTER 8: ARIA'S WARNING

I read Aria's message three times.

He said he's starting to like you.

My heart hammered against my chest.

Then came the second message.

And Chloe… I'm not sure I can let that happen.

I stared at the screen.

For some reason, that hurt more than it should have.

I typed quickly.

Me: What do you mean you're not sure?

The typing bubble appeared almost immediately.

Aria: Come find me.

I looked around the party.

People were laughing, music was playing, and everything seemed perfectly normal.

Except nothing felt normal to me anymore.

I found Aria near the kitchen.

The moment she saw me, she grabbed my hand and pulled me somewhere quieter.

“What did Blake say?” I asked.

She sighed.

“He didn't exactly say it.”

“Then what did he say?”

“He asked me something.”

“What?”

She hesitated.

“He asked if I'd be angry if he liked you.”

My stomach flipped.

“And what did you say?”

“I told him I would.”

I stared at her.

“Why?”

"Because you're my best friend.”

“That doesn't mean you can decide who I like.”

“I know.”

“Then why did you?”

Aria looked down.

“Because I've watched Blake hurt people before.”

I frowned.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Everything.”

She took my hands.

“Chloe, Blake is my brother. I know him better than anyone. When he wants something, he goes after it. But when things get serious…”

She paused.

“He runs.”

I didn't know what to say.

“So you're saying I shouldn't like him?”

“No.”

She looked directly at me.

“I'm saying you should be careful.”

Before I could respond, someone called her name.

She turned.

“I'll be back.”

Then she disappeared into the crowd.

I stood there alone.

Careful.

That word stayed in my head.

I wasn't even sure I liked Blake.

Not really.

Maybe I was simply confused.

Maybe it was the fact that he'd changed.

Maybe it was the way he looked at me.

Maybe—

“Thinking about me?”

I nearly jumped.

I turned around.

Blake stood behind me.

“You scared me.”

“Sorry.”

"You always sneak up on people?”

“Only you.”

I rolled my eyes.

"Of course.”

He smiled.

“Are you avoiding me again?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

I crossed my arms.

“Your sister told me something.”

His smile disappeared.

“What?”

“That you asked if she'd be angry if you liked me.”

He went quiet.

“Aria told you?”

“Yes.”

He looked away.

“I shouldn't have asked her.”

“Why?”

“Because I already know the answer.”

I stepped closer.

“What is the answer?”

His eyes met mine.

“She'd be furious.”

I swallowed.

“And would you care?”

“No.”

The answer came immediately.

I blinked.

“No?”

“No.”

He stepped closer.

“I've spent my whole life worrying about what everyone else thinks.”

His voice softened.

“I don't want to do that anymore.”

My heart raced.

“Blake…”

“I'm not asking you for anything.”

He paused.

“I just want you to know that whatever happens between us, I'm not pretending anymore.”

I couldn't look away.

“What exactly is happening between us?”

He smiled faintly.

“That depends on you.”

My breath caught.

Then someone bumped into me from behind.

I stumbled forward.

Straight into Blake.

His hands caught my waist.

For a second, everything stopped.

His hands.

My waist.

His eyes on mine.

Neither of us moved.

“You okay?” he whispered.

I nodded.

But I couldn't speak.

His gaze dropped briefly to my lips.

Then returned to my eyes.

I knew what he was thinking.

And judging by the way my heart was beating, I knew what I was thinking too.

He leaned closer.

Just slightly.

I could feel his breath against my skin.

Then—

“Blake!”

We jumped apart.

Aria stood a few feet away.

Her eyes moved from Blake's face to my flushed cheeks.

Then to his hands.

She frowned.

“What were you two doing?”

Blake didn't answer.

Neither did I.

Aria looked at me.

“Chloe?”

“I…”

My phone suddenly vibrated.

I glanced down.

An unknown number.

A message appeared.

You should listen to Aria.

My stomach dropped.

Another message followed.

Blake isn't the only person who has been hiding something from you.

I looked up.

Across the room, Blake was already staring at my phone.

His face had gone pale.

And this time, he knew exactly who had sent it.