Wish - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

On my third day in Miami, Ethan called. I didn’t answer. Half an hour later, he texted: “I’ll hold onto the ring for three days.”

We had dinar I knew what it meant. We had disagreements sometimes, and he always went silent. I always ended up caving. We’d been together since college, me following him from New York to settle in DC. I hadn’t considered giving up before. Now, I was truly exhausted.

I replied: “Don’t bother. Throw it away.”

He didn’t respond. I stared at the message, then blocked him. Ethan poured another drink, downing it in one gulp. He heard someone mention her. “My buddy’s seriously smitten. He called me last night, raving about her.”

Ethan slammed his glass down. “She won’t go for it. Tell him not to waste his time.”

“How do you know, Ethan?”

Ethan scrolled through his phone. “Ashley’s got someone she’s crazy about. It wouldn’t matter if Brad Pitt himself showed up.”

He grabbed his cigarettes and walked out, the noise fading behind him. He lit one, checking his phone again. The last message was still hers: “Throw it away.”

He took a drag, the smoke doing little to calm the irritation building in his chest. He typed angrily, “Already did.”

But the message wouldn’t send. The red exclamation point mocked him. Blocked.

Ethan was taken aback, then a bitter laugh escaped his lips. Fine. Let’s see how long she could keep this up. My days in Miami flew by. It was the night before my flight back to DC when I ran into an old high school friend, David Carter.

He walked into the bar looking sharp in a dark suit. My friends nudged me, giggling. I blushed, the alcohol probably not helping.

David’s gaze settled on me. “Ashley, long time no see.”

“David, hi,” I stammered, standing up. After he joined us, one of my friends whispered, “I only posted on Instagram that you were in Miami. David liked it right away. He lives abroad now, rarely comes back. He’s totally here for you.”

I glanced at him. He was talking to someone else, his profile sharp and striking. He’d always been quiet and reserved, and now seemed even more so. I looked away. “He said he was just passing by.”

“Coincidence? I think not!”

But when the night ended, David offered me a ride back. Before I could decline, my friends vanished. David hadn’t been drinking, so he drove himself.

On the way to the hotel, my phone rang. It was a friend from DC. “Ashley, drinks tomorrow night? Ethan’s bringing his new girlfriend to meet everyone. It’s a first…”

“I probably won’t be back in time. Have fun,” I said, my voice tight.

“Come on! Ethan specifically said to invite you. You’re his best friend, after all.”

Staring out at the city lights, I gave a hollow laugh. “We’re just friends. It doesn’t matter if I’m there or not.”

“Ashley…”

“I have to go.” I hung up before she could say anything else. More calls came in. I ignored them all. Finally, my phone went silent. The car stopped. David turned to me. “We’re here, Ashley.”

I didn’t turn, my gaze fixed on the city lights blurring through the rain–streaked window. My heart was numb. “David,” I said, my voice barely – a whisper, seeing my reflection — lost and empty. And then, the words just tumbled out.

“Want to come up?”