Page 38 of The Enemy of My Enemy Is… My Fake Boyfriend?

He pulled into the loading zone in front of my office building. "Want me to come up with you?"

"No, I'm good. But thank you, Ethan. Thank you for everything really. That was honestly the best time I've had in years."

His easy grin gave me a little flutter in my chest. "No problem. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Getting out, I grabbed my big bag from the back, strangely reluctant to say goodbye. I paused at the passenger door, wondering how to say this. "By the way, I did read the rest of that article about Chase and Hannah's sex life, and I know what you did."

His brow shot up. "What'd I do?"

"You tried to spare me from the worst of it. And I appreciate that."

"It was nothing. Anyone would do the same."

"No. I disagree. Most wouldn't. But you did. So thank you."

Before he could argue, I shut the door, giving him a little wave as I walked away. For some reason, I couldn't wait for next week and our soft launch.

Thirteen

Aria

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Annalise questioned me over the phone.

"No, to be honest," I admitted. "But I feel like it's worth a shot. I have to dosomethingto counteract Chase and all his bullshit."

"I get it. I really do. But just remember that even though a reputation can crumble in an instant, it can takeyearsto get back."

"I know. Believe me. Mom reminds me of that often enough." I sighed, stepping off the curb to join the stream of pedestrians as the light changed. "I'm so tired of waiting though."

"But it's Ethan Locke? I mean..."

"Don't even start."

"Wait. Hold up. You actually like him now?"

"What? No. Not inthatway." Someone's big bag bumped into mine, and I nearly tripped. "But he's not so bad to be around. And don't you dare make me question whether I did the right thing by confiding in you. Astrid had nothing but support for me."

"Of course she did." I could practically see the eye roll from my dear sister. "She supportseveryone."

"Well, maybe you could—"

Another bump, this one massive enough to make me turn around, ready to give hell to whoever wasn't paying attention. To my shock, it was Chase. Of all the fucking people in New York City, I had to run into him?

We both paused to stare at each other, like two stubborn rocks in the middle of a river, forcing pedestrians to flow around us.

"Excuse you," I hissed, glaring at him.

"Excuseyou," he said with equal venom.

I poked him in the chest with my finger. "You're the one who bumped intome."

"No, I didn't. It was the other way around."

"Don't you dare be obfuscatorious with me." That was a perfect way to use today's word of the day. Or was it? Had I even remembered it correctly? All he did was glare at me, and I could practically see the slow cogs of his brain turning. "And by the way, I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop disparaging me in the press."

And yesterday's word of the day. Who was stupid now?

I sensed someone watching us and turned to see a phone facing us. And another, a few people in the crowd actually noticing this showdown happening on a very public sidewalk in the middle of Manhattan.

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