A Glimpse of the Past
The days blurred together as Lena worked tirelessly on the mural. Each stroke of her brush was a battle—against her emotions, against the memories, against the man who was always near.
Ethan never pushed. He didn't demand answers or force conversations. But he was there. And sometimes, that was worse.
One afternoon, she caught him staring at one of her smaller sketches, a rough pencil drawing of a couple entwined beneath the moonlight.
"This looks familiar," he murmured, tracing the edges with his fingers.
Lena tensed. She knew exactly what he was referring to.
It had been their favorite spot—an abandoned rooftop in Brooklyn where they used to sneak away late at night. He had once promised to build her a house with a balcony just like that rooftop.
She snatched the sketch from his hands. "It's just a drawing."
His lips twitched. "If you say so."
But the look in his eyes told her he remembered everything.
A Rival Appears
That evening, just as she was packing up, a voice broke through the quiet.
"Lena Carter? As I live and breathe."
She turned sharply to see Ryan Calloway, standing with his hands in his pockets, wearing that same cocky grin she had once found charming.
Ryan was an art dealer she had briefly dated years ago. Their fling had fizzled out quickly, but they had remained friendly.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.
"Came to meet with a client," he said, before glancing at the mural. "But damn, if I knew you were the artist behind this, I would've come sooner."
Ethan, who had been standing nearby, stiffened.
Ryan's gaze flickered toward him. "Ah. Ethan Reid," he drawled, extending a hand. "Still lurking around Lena, I see."
Lena groaned internally.
Ethan shook his hand, his grip a little too firm. "Nice to see you, Ryan."
"Didn't realize you two were still in each other's orbit," Ryan said, his smirk deepening. "Lena and I go way back too, don't we?"
Lena rolled her eyes. "Ryan…"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Is that so?"
Ryan chuckled. "Oh yeah. We had a great time." He winked at Lena. "Maybe we should catch up properly. Dinner?"
Ethan's expression darkened.
Lena hesitated, glancing between the two men. She could feel Ethan's gaze burning into her, waiting for her response.
She could shut Ryan down immediately. Or… she could remind Ethan that he wasn't the only man in the world.
So she smiled. "That sounds great, Ryan."
Ethan's grip on the paint can tightened.
Game on.
Jealousy is a Dangerous Thing
The next day, Ethan was… different.
He was sharper. Edgier. Less of the quiet observer and more of the man who once made her fall for him.
"You're really going out with Ryan?" he asked as she worked.
Lena shrugged. "Why not?"