Sean lounged against his car, clearly entertained by the unfolding drama.
I suppressed a sigh. The last thing I wanted after this exhausting day was a public confession. I’d spent hours navigating Victoria’s wedding, watching Alexander’s pathetic longing glances, and dealing with my mother’s matchmaking schemes. Now this.
I gave Chris a cool once–over, then shot Sean a warning glance that he completely ignored, his amused smirk only growing wider.
Great. An audience.
“Chris,” I began, keeping my voice deliberately even, “I never properly thanked you for what happened at Manhattan Club that night. You saved me, and I’m genuinely grateful.”
Chris shifted his weight from one foot to the other, looking simultaneously encouraged and uncertain.
“Is there something else?” I asked, though I already knew exactly what was coming.
“Summer,” Chris blurted out, his voice slightly higher than normal, saving you was the least I could do, especially since you’re the girl I like!” He took a deep breath, gathering courage. “So, what do you think? I like you, Summer. Will you be my girlfriend?”
He shot an irritated glance at Sean, who made absolutely no effort to give us privacy, instead looking more entertained with each passing second. I knew that look on Sean’s face–the same expression he’d worn earlier when peering into the lounge where Victoria and Alexander were… well, celebrating their marriage.
“I understand,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Is there anything else?”
Chris’s brow furrowed. “Summer! You haven’t answered me! I just confessed my feelings to you, and you haven’t given me a
response!”
My patience, already worn thin by the day’s events, finally snapped. I fixed him with a cold stare.
“What kind of answer are you looking for, Chris? You’ve told me you like me at least three times now, and I’ve responded each time.
What more do you want?”
Chris stared at me, visibly shocked by my tone. “What? You… you didn’t answer me!”
“I did answer you,” I replied, my voice turning icy. “I thanked you for saving me. I said I understood. But you keep pushing, and my attitude should be clear enough. Yes, you saved me, and I’m grateful. But gratitude doesn’t mean I have to like you. Chris, we’re classmates, and I’d prefer not to make things awkward between us.”
Chris’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. “But you never said you don’t like me!”
I let out a humorless laugh. “So because I didn’t explicitly say I don’t like you, you assumed I do? I was being polite, trying to save your dignity. But now it’s somehow my fault? Are you looking for the answer I can give, or the answer you want to hear? If I don’t give you the answer you want, are you going to keep pestering me all night?”
The wind picked up, blowing strands of hair across my face. I didn’t bother pushing them away, too focused on the confrontation.
I’m typically a patient person, but my patience is running out. Since you’re demanding an explicit answer, here it is: I don’t like you. Not even a little bit. Is that clear enough for you?”
Chris’s face fell, genuine hurt flashing in his eyes. “I’ve liked you for so many years, Summer.”
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“That’s your business,” I replied, unmoved. “Your feelings are your responsibility, not mine. I’m not obligated to reciprocate just because you’ve persisted.”
Chris clutched at his chest dramatically. “But why? We’ve been classmates for years. You know I’ve liked you since college, and you never pushed me away. I thought that with time, you’d eventually feel the same.”
“Not all feelings are mutual, Chris,” I explained, trying to soften my tone slightly. “That’s just life. Your feelings for me are your own, but you can’t use them to manipulate me.”
Chris suddenly pointed at Sean, his expression hardening. “What about him? I overheard your mother earlier–he’s the guy she set you up with! You’re willing to give him a chance, so why not me?”
I followed Chris’s accusatory finger to Sean, who looked positively delighted by this new development. Sean raised an eyebrow, his gorgeous face lighting up with mischief. With his model–like features and those distinctive bedroom eyes, I could see why Chris might feel threatened–though if he only knew the truth, he’d realize how absurd this comparison was.
Sean didn’t say a word, just fixed me with that amused gaze that silently communicated: This is getting interesting. I shot him a warning look, which he completely ignored.
“That’s none of your business,” I told Chris firmly. “Who I spend time with is my choice.”
“What about me?” Chris pressed.
“You? I’ve already told you–you’re a friend. That’s all.”
“Summer,” Chris pleaded, his voice softening. “I’m not asking for an immediate yes. Just one chance. We’ve known each other for years–you know what kind of person I am. You just met him, and you barely know him. If you’re giving him a chance, why not me? I’m not asking for much, just for you to be fair. One opportunity is all I need–I know you’ll fall for me!”
His voice took on an accusing edge. “Is it because of his status? Because he’s richer than me?”
That was it. The last thread of my patience snapped.
“Enough!” I said, my voice cutting through the night air. “Don’t you get it? This isn’t about how long we’ve known each other. It’s about what I want. I don’t want to date you. I don’t want to give you a chance. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other- I didn’t like you before, I don’t like you now, and I certainly won’t like you in the future.”
I rubbed my temple, a headache forming. “Think whatever you want. Nothing will happen between us. You’ve wasted enough of my time. I’ve said everything I needed to say, and I’m done discussing this. Please don’t bother me again.”
Without waiting for his response, I yanked open the car door and slid into the passenger seat, slamming it shut behind me. Through the window, I could see Chris standing there, face dark with anger, hands clenched into fists.
Sean and Chris stared each other down. Even through the closed window, I could see the tension between them.
“Don’t think you’re so great just because you’re rich,” Chris spat at Sean. “Summer’s just temporarily confused. She’ll see through you eventually, and she’ll fall for me!”
Sean straightened from his relaxed position against the car, crossing his arms with a smirk. He towered over Chris, his lean frame suddenly looking imposing.
Even if I wasn’t in the picture, she still wouldn’t look at you,” Sean replied with a cold smile. “No matter what you do, Summer will never like you, let alone love you.”
He paused, his eyes narrowing. “If you really liked her, you’d understand who she is. Yet you just accused the woman you claim to love of being a gold–digger. I doubt your feelings are genuine at all.”
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Sean slid one hand casually into his pocket. “You can always get what you want. Some men earn a woman’s heart, others never will You’re clearly in the latter category–and clearly lacking the ability to ever change that!”
Before Chris could respond, Sean circled the car and slipped into the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life, and we pulled awa
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