Elena
Lila’s apartment was packed wall-to-wall with people Elena barely recognized. Music thumped through speakers someone had set up in the corner, bass vibrating through the floor. The kitchen counter was covered in bottles and red cups, the coffee table buried under gift bags and wrapped boxes.
Elena stood near the window nursing a drink she hadn’t touched, watching Lila laugh with a group of friends by the makeshift bar.
“You came.”
She turned. Ethan stood there holding two beers, his smile careful.
“It’s Lila’s birthday.”
“I meant you actually showed up.” He held out one of the beers. “I wasn’t sure you would after… you know.”
Elena didn’t take the beer. “After you ignored my calls for three days?”
“I wasn’t ignoring you. I was giving you space like you wanted.”
“Right.”
Eth
