Chapter 007

The moment Chloe closed the door to her apartment, the silence wrapped around her.

She slipped off her heels and tossed her handbag onto the sofa before walking over to the floor-to-ceiling window. Miami's skyline glittered beneath the evening sky, alive with lights and endless movement.

A soft smile crossed her lips as she thought about dinner at Olivia and Ryan's house.

"They really are happy," she murmured to herself.

Her phone rang.

The screen lit up with a familiar name.

Vanessa Brooks.

A smile spread across Chloe's face as she answered.

"Well, look who's finally calling," Chloe teased.

A laugh echoed through the speaker.

"You make me sound like a terrible friend."

"You disappeared for almost two weeks."

"I've been busy."

"So busy that you forgot I moved across the country?"

Vanessa sighed dramatically.

"I said I'm sorry."

Chloe laughed and leaned against the window.

"I'll forgive you this time."

"So," Vanessa asked, "how's life in Miami?"

"It's... different."

"Different good or different bad?"

Chloe looked out at the city lights.

"A little of both."

"Tell me everything."

Chloe smiled.

"I met up with Olivia."

"Your childhood best friend?"

"Yeah."

"How is she?"

"She's doing really well."

"I'm happy for her."

"So am I."

There was a brief pause.

Then Chloe added quietly, "She's married."

"Oh?"

"To a pilot."

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, even though Chloe couldn't see her.

"A pilot?"

"His name is Ryan Walker."

"And?"

Chloe chuckled.

"And he's handsome."

"That's your first description?"

"What?"

Vanessa laughed.

"I'm just saying."

Chloe shook her head.

"He's also successful."

"Oh?"

"Commercial airline captain."

"Not bad."

"He owns a beautiful house."

"I thought you said mansion."

Chloe smiled.

"It practically is."

"And Olivia married him?"

"She did."

Vanessa whistled softly.

"Your best friend did well."

Chloe didn't answer immediately.

Images from dinner drifted through her mind.

Ryan laughing.

Ryan looking at Olivia with affection.

Ryan pulling out a chair for his wife before sitting down himself.

It had looked effortless.

Natural.

Like something out of a movie.

Vanessa noticed the silence.

"Chloe?"

"I'm here."

"You sound distracted."

"I was just thinking."

"About Ryan?"

Chloe smiled faintly.

"Maybe."

Vanessa's playful tone disappeared.

"Don't make the same mistake again."

Chloe frowned.

"What mistake?"

"You really want me to say it?"

A long silence followed.

Then Chloe let out a quiet laugh.

"Oh..."

"Yeah."

"I know."

Vanessa sighed.

"You've always wanted things that belonged to someone else."

Chloe looked away from the window.

"I've changed."

"I hope so."

Another silence settled between them.

Finally Vanessa spoke again.

"So what's your plan now?"

"My plan?"

"You didn't move back just to sit in that apartment."

Chloe smiled slowly.

"I'll figure something out."

"What does that mean?"

"It means..." Chloe said softly, "...Ryan is everything I ever imagined I'd want in a man."

Vanessa's voice became serious.

"Chloe."

"He's kind."

"Chloe."

"Successful."

"Chloe."

"He treats Olivia like she's the only woman in the world."

Vanessa closed her eyes.

"I don't like where this conversation is going."

Chloe rested her forehead against the cool glass.

"I'm not saying I'm going to do anything."

"But you're thinking about it."

Chloe didn't answer.

Her silence spoke louder than words.

After a long moment, she whispered, almost to herself,

"I've never seen a man like Ryan before."

Vanessa sighed heavily.

"Just be careful."

"I will."

But even as she said the words, Chloe couldn't stop thinking about Ryan Walker.

For the first time in years, she wanted something she knew she could never have.

Or at least...

Something she wasn't supposed to have.