Chapter 1
She had a crush on her brother’s friend.
He thought she was too young and brushed her off. “Come back when you’re 22. If you still like me then… maybe I’ll think about it.”
The day she turned 22, she rushed to claim that promise–only to freeze outside the private room at the sound of a baby’s cry.
“Damn, Jake, that’s cold,” someone laughed inside. “You really got a kid just to fake her out?”
Jake Landau’s voice was as lazily dismissive as she remembered. “She’s here to collect on that stupid promise. Time to get rid of this nuisance for good.”
So that was the truth. He never wanted her. She’d been fooling herself all along.
Avery Williams had been crushing on her brother’s best friend for years.
He was six years older, which made her keep her feelings carefully hidden, tucked away like a precious secret.
Until that one night, she couldn’t help but steal a kiss from him in the dim light while he was drunk. As she tried to slip away, his eyes suddenly flew open.
“Looking for kissing lessons, sweetheart?” he drawled, his voice husky with alcohol. “Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t do the whole ‘little girl‘ thing.”
Her cheeks burned crimson, but she gathered her courage. “You think I’m too young? That’s fine. I’ll grow up!”
Something flickered in his eyes before his lips curved into a half–smile. “Alright then. When you turn twenty–two, if you still feel the same way, I’ll consider it.”
Her heart thundered in her chest. From that moment on, she was his shadow, counting down the days until her twenty–second birthday.
When the day finally arrived, Avery practically floated to the private lounge where Jake was
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celebrating with friends. But just outside the door, she froze at the sound of a baby crying.
Peering through the partially open door, she saw Jake cradling a wailing infant while his friends covered their ears in mock agony.
“Jake, that’s cold,” one of them said. “You actually borrowed a baby to convince her you’re a dad
now?”
Avery’s world tilted. Her brain went numb.
“What else could I do?” Jake’s voice carried that familiar lazy drawl she loved. “She turns twenty–two
today. She’s coming to collect on that promise.”
“You really don’t like Avery at all? She’s gorgeous, sweet, and completely devoted to you…‘
“It’s not about liking her or not.” Jake’s voice suddenly dropped. “You guys know who I’ve had feelings for all this time.”
The room fell silent before erupting in knowing laughter.
“Hannah! Of course… Man, you’re overthinking this. With your looks, who wouldn’t fall for you? Hannah would totally say yes–you’re just being too precious about it.”
“I never knew how to bring it up all these years. I was afraid of ruining our friendship. But Avery’s
situation… it’s actually perfect timing.”
Jake’s voice brightened. “I told Hannah there’s this girl who won’t leave me alone, and I needed her help. I asked her to pretend to be my girlfriend for a while. The plan is to show up with her and this borrowed baby when Avery comes around, then stage a fake wedding. It kills two birds with one stone–Avery finally gives up, and I get to spend more time with Hannah. After the fake ceremony, I’ll confess my real feelings to Hannah right there.”
His friends cheered at this mastermind plan, completely missing Avery standing frozen outside.
The cake box slipped from her hands, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
She couldn’t bring herself to open that door. With tears streaming down her face, she turned and ran.
Outside, rain poured mercilessly, soaking the dress she’d carefully chosen for this special day.
So Jake had never cared for her. It had all been in her head.
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She’d fallen for him at fourteen when he rescued her from some troublemakers after school. Her brother had forgotten to pick her up, and Jake happened to be passing by.
She’d been crying, eyes swollen, when he tossed her his jacket and offered her chocolate. With a warm smile, he’d teased, “Hey, cry–baby, your brother’s still at basketball practice. Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
That day, Avery tasted the sweetest chocolate of her life and fell in love for the first time.
Thanks to her brother Nathan, she saw Jake almost daily, and her teenage crush grew like wildfire.
She learned to cook just to make lunches for her brother to share with his friends–mainly so Jake would eat her food.
She researched his interests, carefully selecting gifts for every holiday and birthday.
She even turned down a scholarship to study abroad, staying in their hometown just to be close to him until she turned twenty–two…
She’d waited eight years, believing they would finally be together.
Only today did Avery realize that her love had been nothing but a burden to Jake all along.
After running for what felt like hours, she finally calmed down enough to call her brother.
“Nathan,” her voice broke. “I’ve decided to take that opportunity abroad. And that friend you mentioned… I’m willing to meet him.”
For years, everyone in their circle knew about Avery’s pursuit of Jake.
Her brother always seemed uncomfortable watching her chase his friend, occasionally trying to set her
up with someone else–attempting to gently steer her heart in another direction.
This guy abroad was the eighteenth potential boyfriend Nathan had suggested.
He’d described him as tall, handsome, and just as good as Jake–perfect timing since her design program could benefit from international experience.
Looking back, Nathan probably knew all along about Jake’s feelings for Hannah Matthews and was trying to spare her the heartbreak.
After a pause, Nathan asked, “You… found out?”
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Chapter 1
Avery closed her eyes, rain mingling with tears. “Does he really love Hannah that much?”
“…Yes.”
“Then I hope he gets what he wants.” She wiped her face. “And he’ll get what he wants from me
too–I’m done loving him.”
Back home, Avery mechanically pulled out her suitcase and began packing.
Her phone vibrated. The screen lit up.
[Jake: Why didn’t you show up?]
She stared at the message for a long time before another appeared.
[Jake: Hey kiddo, I have a girlfriend now. We have a baby and we’re getting married soon. Time to
move on.]
Then he sent two photos–one of a baby’s tiny foot, another of an elegant wedding invitation.
Avery stared at the screen for what felt like eternity before typing just two words.
[Understood.]
After sending it, she tossed her phone onto the bed and retrieved a metal box from the back of her
drawer.
Inside were movie ticket stubs, amusement park tickets, his basketball jersey she’d secretly kept, the
stuffed animal he’d won for her at a carnival…
Eight years of memories with Jake, all preserved like treasures.
She carried the box outside and then dumped everything into the trash without hesitation.
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