It had been a week since I had seen Ian drive away from the house without even looking back, and a week since I had accepted the amount of money my father’s will was offering me.

Andrew had been delighted by my choice when I had accepted the original will papers. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was enough to buy me an apartment outside Vancouver. Maybe in the country side, where no one would know me. Where I could start a new life. Find a new job. Fall in love again. If the last one was even possible.

As much as the thought filled me with sorrow, I was a little happy because I would have an apartment of my own. I wouldn’t have to sit at the couch and aimlessly stare at the door, hoping a tall, handsome, blue-eyed psychiatrist walks in.

I glanced down at my watch and blew out a quick breath as I stood outside Gretchen’s Kitchen after my shift.

Michael had generously volunteered to pick me up today, and considering I had two hours to spare before my night shift at the club, I agreed. The quicker I got home, the more time I would have for a quick nap.

Around five minutes later, a familiar black SUV slowed down by the street, before stopping beside me. I smiled when the windows rolled down and Michael gave me a quick nod as I climbed in.

“Hey you—Jesus, what’s that smell?” My nostrils flared and deflated as I sniffed around the air in the car.

Michael chuckled softly, inaudibly, before reaching to the back seat and retrieving a paper bag, then softly laid it in my lap. “Something to eat.”

My stomach growled at the whiff of chocolate as I opened the bag.

“Good Lord, donuts. How did you know I was starving?” I took a big bite of one, almost moaning when the chocolate melted into my mouth.

“I didn’t. Was buying for someone, thought you’d want some yourself.” He said as we pulled away from the street.

I glanced at the backseat. Surely, there was another paper bag, but much bigger. “Are you visiting someone?”

Michael nodded. “Yeah. A friend.”

Oh? I leaned back into my seat with a hum, munching onto the donut.

Michael hardly had any friends than the ones I knew. And he had not mentioned a name. Just Friend.

It wasn’t Ian. I knew it because I had been shamelessly stocking Chloe’s profile on social media. And she had recently uploaded a photo of hugging Ian at the airport, with the caption, “See you soon, Broda.” And after that she had not uploaded any updates, which meant Ian was still away.

Then who was this friend I didn't know?

Not that I could ask him about it, but I thought he and I were together in the Lonely Introverts Club.

Now, I was jealous.

Not the he is mine kinda jealous. Something like he can make friends so easily kinda jealous.

“Thanks,” I said, pointing at the half-eaten donut in my hand and I stole another glance at him. He gave me a quick smile without looking at me. I couldn’t resist the urge, so I asked, “Who is this friend anyway?”

Michael cleared his throat and made a left turn, tilting his face away from me, but I think I saw his lips twitch. “A close friend. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” I slumped back into my seat, with a pout.

My only close friend had made more close friends. I was successfully out of the circle. Not that it was a circle with two people. What would it be with only two people? Maybe duo—

“Do you wanna tag along?”

My attention shifted back to Michael, eyes wide with surprise. “Can I?”

“If you want to. You have time before your next shift, right?”

I glanced down at my watch. “I’ve got around an hour and a half.”

“Okay then.”

I slumped again, but this time with a cheeky smile.

Since when did Maeve Adams start getting excited over meeting new people?

Ever since I realized it was not enough or healthy to have your world revolve around just one person. The more people you now, the less likely you’ll ever come across the “I have no one” phase.

You don’t even need to have friends, just friendly acquaintances.

Plus, now I had polished communication skills, thanks to my day job surrounding so many people. So, I was less likely to scare people away.

My blooming excitement and jaw-hurting smile flickered, then disappeared when Michael pulled over before the Coles Mansion.

The place where I had my first real kiss with Ian.

Something clogged in my throat when I noticed Chloe, pacing around the patio with a soft frown. When she saw us from the distance, her mouth gaped and she sprinted down the stairs, toward us.

I was frozen in place, unable to move or speak, or even gulp down the remaining donut, when Michael turned in his seat to face me.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, Maeve. You know I would never force you. No one would.”

My eyes were trained on Chloe who slowed down before reaching the car when she gauged my blank expression. Her pretty bright eyes dimmed.

I forcefully gulped down the donut, then turned to Michael with a conflicting pull tugging at my chest.

“Is he there too?”

There was no way I could see Ian after all these days and not break down. It was easier to keep him off my mind when I was occupied by work, around strangers, which was another reason I readily jumped in at the first job opportunity I found.

But here, amidst all these people I knew, who had almost become like a family to me, I would surely lose my composure.

Michael sighed beside me, then shook his head. “He is not here.”

That was supposed to wash relief over me, but I couldn’t ignore the surge of disappointment that flooded through my system.

Who was I lying to? I wanted to see him.

“Maeve…” A soft voice brushed past my ears.

I looked outside my window to see a glossy eyed Chloe, the corners of her lips downturned. She looked like she was seconds away from crying.

Even before I could know it myself, a smile was drawing along my lips. It was like whenever I was around these people, happiness followed me.

Chloe opened the door for me, and I silently blew out a breath before stepping out of the car. I noticed she had stormed out barefoot, and with her height, she was at least five inches shorter than me, looking up at me with blue doe eyes.

“Can I hug you?” her request was voiced into a mumble. “It’s not even that long since we last met but I missed you. I didn’t even go out with Katelyn when she—”

I pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing my cheek against the top of her head. Even after everything that happened between me and Ian, I was silently praying I could still be in touch with her. She was like the little sister I never had.

Chloe slumped with a sigh before circling her arms around me as I said, “I missed you too.”

“You didn’t. You didn’t even answer my texts.” She pulled back with teary eyes. “Just because you broke up with my brother, does that mean I am no longer your friend?”

I pressed my lips together and reached forward to wipe away her tears.

You’re such an asshole, Maeve.

I know. I know...

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I thought you’d hate me after you…” My voice trailed off, the next words refusing come out of my mouth.

“After I’d know the reason of your breakup?” Chloe sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of the sleeve of her t-shirt. “I know.”

My lips parted to draw in a sharp air.

She knew? And she was still here, talking to me, crying because she didn’t see me? Why did she not hate me?

“Chloe…”

“I don’t hate you, Maeve. Yes, I was mad because you didn’t tell me about it even after so many time I'd reminded you that you can confide in me. But I don’t hate you.”

I managed to offer her a smile, because I was still processing the situation and her words. “Thank you.”

“What for–” She threw a glance over my shoulder, blinking rapidly before quickly looking away with flushed cheeks.

I knew who was standing behind me.

As I turned, Michael handed me my bag of donuts, and held out the other for Chloe. She eyed it discreetly, then shot me a worried glance.

That made me chuckle. “It’s donuts.”

A gasp left her lips as she launched for the bag, grabbed it and pulled it to her chest. “I was so craving donuts today.”

When their eyes met, I could feel the tension from where I stood two feet away. Michael looked at her with soft eyes, and even softer expression. Close friend, huh?

Man, seeing Michael Black melt for someone was worth a whistle, but I couldn’t whistle. So, I decided to settle for an applause.

“Okay,” I clapped my hands together, drawing two pairs of eyes to me. “Will anyone tell me what this little get-together is about?”

Michael glanced at Chloe, who pressed her lips together, then cleared his throat, looking at me. “I have to go.”

“What?” my brows furrowed. “I thought we were all hanging out together.”

Chloe looked down at the bag of donuts when I turned to her. The pink tinting her cheeks darkened as she said. “You should stay.”

She wasn't talking to me.

The reaction from my side was immediate. Michael blinked, slowly trailing his eyes to Chloe.

I hated to third wheel between them, but I couldn’t just walk into the mansion, nor could I go back inside the car. So, I just awkwardly stood there, staring at anything but them.

When both of them didn’t budge or utter a single word, awkwardness got the best out of me, and I decided to walk a little away from the couple, to spare them some alone time.

As I circled my arms around myself, Niall emerged through the front doors of the mansion, eyes focused on his phone. His hair was ruffled, and brows furrowed together. Again, he reminded me of someone I shouldn’t be thinking of.

I was half way to him when his attention shifted up briefly, and he froze.

A chuckle slipped through my lips at his reaction.

“You actually came?” He asked when I was close enough to hear him.

“You’re saying it as if it was planned—” My smile dropped. Niall’s eyes rounded, and he muttered a shit under his breath.

It was planned.

No surprise Michael had so casually offered a lift, then an open ticket to join the gathering. Gosh, I couldn’t believe I fell for it.

It was the donuts. That was what lured me.

My brows furrowed as I turned to confront Michael about this donut trap, but clamped my mouth shut at the sight before me. Niall muttered a curse behind me, confirming he was seeing the same thing as I was.

Michael and Chloe stood close, foreheads pressed together, fingers tangled on either side. The bag of donut stared at them from the hood of the car just like me and Niall. Michael mumbled something to her and Chloe bit her lips to muffle a smile.

Well, I'd be damned.

“What the fuck is happening there?” Niall asked as I turned around. He looked like a pissed overprotective brother who was about to ruin the moment between the couple.

Which was not going to happen. Not under my watch.

“Nothing that should bother you, little bro.” I told him and snaked my hand into the crook of his arm, looking up at him with doe eyes. “Won’t you show me around your stupid, fancy mansion?”

Niall slightly drew back, like I had sprouted two heads, then pressed his lips together. “Did you learn that eye-thing from Chloe?”

He sounded disgusted enough to make me switch back to my resting bitch face. “I’m offended.”

“I’m pissed,” he stuffed his phone inside his pocket and threw a glance over his shoulder. “Come on in. It’s too...cold out here.”

I followed Niall inside, sneaking a look at the couple just as they leaned in for a kiss.

Jeez. They needed to get a room.

When we were inside the warmth of the living room, Niall took my jacket.

“Please don’t tell Chloe that I told you about her plan. She will kill me.” He shot me worried glance.

“I won’t, only if you tell me the rest of it.” I raised an eyebrow at him.

Niall groaned. “I’d just get killed then.”

That made me laugh out loud. And as the sound of my own laughter filled the room, I realized it was a while since I had genuinely laughed. That thought immediately reverted my mind back to Ian. And the laughter died down.

Niall seemed to have noticed the change in my mood but before he could react, Chloe entered the living room. With flushed face and disheveled hair. She shyly tucked a few strands behind her ear as Niall scoffed beside me.

“Where’s Michael?” I teased as Chloe approached me.

Her flush deepened. “He had to leave.”

Chloe is mad in love. The words slipped into my mind unbidden. A little happiness bloomed in my chest for her because looking at Michael, it was apparent the feelings were mutual. And Chloe wasn’t the type to run away (like me). She would fight her way into his heart if he tried to hold back. I just knew it.

“Anyways,” she flipped her hair over her shoulder, switching between her two personalities within a split of a second. “What would you like to drink?”

“Just water would do. Thanks.” I chuckled.

She shot Niall a glance then snapped her fingers. “You heard her. Two glasses of white wine. Thanks.”

Niall muttered something under his breath as she flopped down on the couch, pulling me down with her, and eventually silencing my rising protest.

As Niall disappeared from the room, Chloe snuggled up beside me.

“Tell me, how have you been? I have no idea what’s going on in your life and it’s bothering me.” She pouted.

Okay. I filled my lungs with a deep breath before narrating to her about Blue Heaven, my new job at the bistro, story of my father’s will, and just how I was keeping myself busy with things, carefully leaving out the detail of me moving out from Ian’s place.

The next person to get upset over my move, after Ian, would be Chloe. And she would not take it like Ian.

"So do you plan on keeping the job at the club now that you've set foot into the bistro? Two jobs sound way too exhausting." Her brows furrowed in concern.

I shrugged. "I don't know if I will. The club definitely pays more than the bistro. If I could keep ot until I can save up some money, I think it'd be for the best." I shot her a worried glance. "Doe's it...bother you? Me working in a bar?"

She rolled her eyes. "The only thing that worries me is how much you're concerned about others opinions about you. None of that pays bills you know. You gotta do what you gotta do."

God, I loved her.

I smiled. "Right."

Her expressions turned serious for a brief moment. “You know anything that happens between you and my brother doesn’t change the fact that you’re my friend, right?” She clasped my hands in hers. “I take friendships very seriously, Maeve. And I’m not kidding.”

I knew she wasn’t. It was clearly written all over her face.

Maybe it was my fear of losing these newfound relations that was making me rethink about my decision to move out. Or maybe it was this look in the eyes of this girl who had cried outside when she’d seen me.

I could count on one hand how many people had cried for me. Ever.

Managing a genuine smile, I squeezed her hand back. “I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your texts. I just didn’t open my texts at all, afraid there might be something from…someone that I couldn’t manage to see.” I breathed out. “You’re still my friend, Chloe, and you’ll always be.”

“Good,” she hugged me just as Niall came into the room, eyes hard, and hands empty.

No drinks.

“They’re here.” He told Chloe, who straightened beside me, her fingers tightening around mine.

"Who's here?" I asked her.

When her eyes returned to me, an uneasy feeling crawled up my neck and settled in my throat. “Maeve, I think there’s someone here you might like to meet.”