unspoken

Chapter 5: Close Enough To Notice

By this point, Ethan and I had become inseparable in a way that was almost ridiculous. We joked constantly, teased each other endlessly, and had even started calling ourselves “best friends”—playfully, of course. Whenever Ryan and Gigi were around, we’d tease them that once they got married, we’d be the next ultimate best friends. It was fun, lighthearted, and completely harmless…or so I told myself.

We’d become close over the weeks—almost like best friends—and I laughed when I remembered how we’d promised Ryan and Gigi we’d be the next “ultimate best friends” once they were married. Sometimes, though, I caught myself thinking about him a little too much, noticing little things I didn’t expect: the way he moved, the way his smile lingered just a second too long, or how he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. I quickly shook it off, insisting it meant nothing.

At the party, that playful dynamic carried over. We laughed, shared inside jokes, and playfully nudged each other, even though he was talking to a girl most of the time. I didn’t go over to interrupt him; I had arrived with Gigi and Ryan and spent a little time catching up with them first. But I couldn’t stop noticing him, the way he leaned in to talk, the warmth of his presence across the room. Ethan and I would joke say how we were like best friends—and I laughed when I remembered how we’d promised Ryan and Gigi we’d be the next “ultimate best friends” once they were married.

Then a friend of ours came over, and we started joking together. Other guys would flirt with me, but I never gave them a chance—I didn’t like them that way, nor had I ever seen them that way. Ethan, though…he had a way of looking at me that made my stomach tighten. I watched him from across the room, and my heart skipped when he laughed that low, easy laugh I was starting to recognize as dangerous. When I noticed him glance in my direction, just for a second, something unfamiliar stirred inside me: confusion, attraction, and a strange longing all at once.

Two hours passed quickly, and I finally decided to leave. As soon as I got home, my phone buzzed.

It was Ethan.

Where are you? he asked. I was looking for you.

I froze. Honestly, it upset me. Why now? Why was he asking about me? I didn’t think he even noticed me at the party.

Then another message: I wanted to talk to you. I saw you from far when you were dancing with Jay.

I blinked. Dancing with Jay? That was strange. I had assumed he hadn’t even noticed me at all. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I didn’t want to seem jealous, but I also didn’t want to misspeak anything.

After a long pause, I replied: I was with Gigi and Ryan for a bit, then came home.

Another message came almost immediately: Was that before or after you slow danced?

I froze again. I typed quickly, then immediately wished I could take it back: In fact, that was while you were busy talking to your girl-friend.

I pressed send, stomach twisting.

Almost immediately, my phone rang. Ethan. I answered at the same time he did, our voices overlapping for a second.

Before I could even gather my thoughts, the doorbell rang.