Chapter 91

Ava’s POV

I closed my apartment door and pressed my back against it, the faint click of the lock echoing too loudly in the silence.

My hands were trembling, though I told myself it was just from the cold night air and not from the weight of Ezra’s stare that still lingered on me.

I kicked off my heels and padded across the room, the city lights spilling through the windows in fractured patterns.

I should’ve gone straight to bed, buried myself under blankets, and willed myself to forget everything that happened at dinner but forgetting wasn’t possible.

I curled up on the couch, pulling my knees to my chest.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. For a heartbeat, I prayed it was Alex. If it was Alex, at least I could ground myself in his simple warmth, his brotherly teasing, and his blind obliviousness.

But it wasn’t Alex.

It was Ezra

Ezra: I’m coming over. Don’t argue.

My throat went dry. I should’ve told