All Chapters of One Night with My Ex's Billionaire Best Friend: Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

The champagne bottle sweats in my hand, condensation dripping between my fingers like the hours I spent picking out this lingerie.Three years. Three years of loving Ethan Cole, and I’m about to surprise him two days early for our anniversary because waiting felt impossible. The red lace under my coat cost more than my grocery budget, but his face when he sees it will be worth every penny.I should’ve called first.The elevator climbs to his penthouse, each floor ticking by while my heart hammers against my ribs. Twenty-three. Twenty-four. Twenty-five. I practiced my smile in the car. Sultry. Confident. The woman who knows she’s loved.God, I’m an idiot.The doors slide open. His hallway smells like expensive cologne and old money, the kind that reminds you you don’t belong here. I’ve been here a hundred times, but tonight my heels feel too loud on the marble. I shift the champagne to my other hand, fish out the key he gave me six months ago.“For emergencies,” he’d said.“Or surprise

Silk sheets.That’s my first coherent thought. These aren’t my sheets. Mine are cotton, budget-friendly, bought on sale at Target.These are silk. Cool against my bare skin. Expensive.Oh God.I keep my eyes closed. If I don’t open them, maybe last night didn’t happen. Maybe I’m home. Maybe the champagne and the stranger and the feeling of his hands on my waist as we swayed to music that didn’t exist, maybe it was all a dream.My head pounds. Definitely not a dream.I crack one eye open. Floor-to-ceiling windows. City skyline. Sunrise bleeding gold and pink across buildings I can’t afford to live in.Definitely not my apartment.I turn my head slowly. The movement makes my skull throb.He’s there.Asleep. Face-down in the pillow beside me, one arm stretched across the space between us like he’d been reaching for something. Dark hair messed from, from my fingers, oh God, I remember my fingers in his hair.In the morning light, I can see him clearly. Sharp jawline. Broad shoulders. A ta

Three days.I give myself three days to be pathetic. To ignore Ethan’s calls, sleep until noon, and let Sophia bring me takeout I don’t eat.On day four, I shower. Put on the black blazer that makes me feel competent. Drive to Ethan’s office building downtown.I’m done hiding.His assistant recognizes me. Jessica. She’s always been nice. Brought me coffee during those long nights I waited for Ethan to finish “important meetings” that apparently included Vanessa.“Ariana.” Her smile falters. “He’s, um, he’s in his office.”“I know.”“Should I tell him you’re—”“No.” I’m already walking past her desk. “This won’t take long.”I don’t knock. Just open the door.Ethan’s on the phone. He sees me and nearly drops it.“I’ll call you back.” He hangs up without waiting for a response. Stands. “Ariana. God, I’ve been trying to reach you.”“I know.”“Where have you been? I’ve been going crazy. Sophia wouldn’t tell me anything. I thought, I was worried something happened.”“Something did happen.”