The man I was never meant to love

The first thing I noticed about Chloe’s family was that they were loud. Not loud in an unpleasant way. They were the kind of family that filled every room with laughter, arguments, conversations that somehow involved everyone. I never grew up around that kind of warmth. Maybe that was why I had become so attached to Chloe. She had been my best friend since high school, and over the years, her family had slowly become a second home to me. Almost everyone in the family treated me like I was one of them. Almost everyone. There was only one person who kept reminding me that I was a guest every single time I stepped through their front door. Adrian, Chloe’s brother. I still remembered the first time I met him. I had been standing in Chloe’s kitchen, helping her prepare snacks for a small family gathering, when a deep voice came from behind me. “You’re using too much pepper.” I turned around. A tall man was leaning against the kitchen doorway with his arms crossed. He had thick dark hair that looked like he had run his fingers through it a hundred times, sharp features, and the kind of eyes that seemed to notice everything. I stared at him. Then I looked at the bowl in front of me. Then back at him. “Excuse me?” He pointed at the bowl. “The pepper.” “I know how much pepper I’m using.” “Clearly.” I rolled my eyes at him “Who are you?” His lips curved into an smile. “Adrian.” “And?” “And you’re Chloe’s friend.” “Very observant.” “I try.” I turned back to the bowl. “Then try observing from somewhere else.” He laughed. Actually laughed. “You’ve got an attitude.” “And you’ve got a problem.” “Already?” I looked over my shoulder. “Already.” That was how it started. And somehow, it never really stopped. Over the next few years, Adrian became the one person in Chloe’s family I couldn’t stand. He teased me about everything. The way I drank my coffee. The way I frowned when I concentrated. The way I always arrived early. The way I organized things that didn’t need organizing. Once, he rearranged the books on Chloe’s shelf because he knew I would notice. When I saw it, I spent twenty minutes putting everything back. He had watched me from the sofa, laughing. “You know,” he said, “most people wouldn’t care.” “I’m not most people.” “That’s what I’m beginning to realize.” I threw a cushion at him. He caught it. That was Adrian. Annoying. Confident. Always smiling like he knew something I didn’t. And for some reason, he enjoyed getting under my skin. “Amelia!” Chloe’s voice pulled me back to the present. I blinked and looked at her. “What?” She laughed. “I’ve called your name three times.” “Sorry.” She eyed me “You were thinking about something.” “No.” “Yes.” “Chloe.” “Fine.” She turned back toward the stove. We were in her family’s kitchen on a Saturday afternoon, preparing dinner for everyone. Her parents were hosting a small gathering, and Chloe insisted I come early to help. I was cutting vegetables when Adrian walked into the room. I immediately looked away. Unfortunately, Chloe noticed. Her eyes followed mine. Then she smiled. “What?” “Nothing.” “You said that too quickly.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You didn’t have to.” I rolled my eyes. She leaned closer. “You’re looking at him.” “I am not.” “You were.” “I was looking at the door.” “The door is behind him.” I paused. “Maybe I was looking at the wall.” Chloe burst out laughing. “Amelia.” “What?” “Do you find my brother attractive?” My knife nearly slipped from my hand. “What?” She laughed harder. “Don’t look so shocked.” “I don’t find your brother attractive.” “You’re blushing.” “I’m hot.” “It’s raining.” “I am still hot.” She shook her head. “You know, you two would actually make a cute couple.” “No.” The answer came out too quickly. Chloe raised an eyebrow. “No?” “No.” “Why?” “Because he’s annoying.” “That’s your reason?” “That’s enough.” She smiled “You’re protesting too much.” “I am not protesting anything.” Before she could respond, a voice came from behind us. “Should I be worried?” I froze. Adrian. Of course. I turned slowly. He was standing in the doorway, holding a glass of water. Chloe looked at him. “We were talking about you.” His eyebrows lifted. “That usually ends badly for me.” “It does,” I said. He looked at me. “Did I interrupt?” “Unfortunately.” He smiled. “Good.” I stared at him. “Why are you like this?” “Like what?” “Annoying.” He stepped into the kitchen. “I could ask you the same thing.” “I wasn’t aware I was annoying.” “You are.” “How?” He thought for a second. “You’re always so serious.” “And you’re never serious.” “Exactly. We balance each other.” I laughed sarcastically. “We are nothing alike.” “That’s why it’s interesting.” I looked away. Something about the way he said it made my stomach turn. I Ignored the feeling It meant nothing. It couldn’t mean anything. Adrian was Chloe’s brother. He was the last person I would ever allow myself to be attracted to. Besides, I couldn’t stand him. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. For the rest of the afternoon, Adrian continued teasing me. When I reached for a plate, he moved it. When I sat down, he took the chair beside me. When I asked Chloe a question, he answered instead. Eventually, I snapped. “Do you have nothing better to do?” “No.” “Seriously?” “Completely.” “Then get a hobby.” He leaned back. “You could be my hobby.” The room suddenly became hotter I stared at him. He smiled. Chloe looked between us and shook her head. “I am leaving before this becomes something I don’t want to witness.” “Chloe!” I shouted She laughed as she walked away. Adrian’s eyes stayed on me. I refused to look at him. But I could feel his gaze. And for the first time, I wondered if Chloe’s teasing had planted an idea in my head that I should never have allowed to grow. Because maybe I was beginning to notice Adrian in a way I hadn’t before. And that frightened me.