CHAPTER 6

THE NAME I DIDN'T EXPECT

The next evening, I spent far too long deciding what to wear. It was ridiculous, especially considering Adrian had only asked me to help him with something. Still, I changed outfits three times before finally settling on a simple black dress and a pair of low heels. I stared at myself in the mirror and frowned.

Why was I dressing up for Adrian? He had seen me in every possible state. In oversized shirts, messy hair and even the ridiculous pink pajamas my mother had bought me one Christmas. There was no reason for my heart to be beating so quickly. I picked up my bag and forced myself to leave before I could change again.

Adrian was waiting outside his apartment when I arrived. He was dressed in a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the moment he saw me, his eyes moved over me briefly before returning to my face. You're late.

I glanced at my watch. I'm three minutes early. Still late by my standards, he said with a smile. I rolled my eyes and walked past him. You said you needed my help. What is it? Adrian closed the door behind me and followed.

I expected him to answer immediately, but instead, he walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. I stared at him in disbelief. Are you serious? You made me dress up and come here just so you could look for food? I'm hungry.

Adrian, I swear He laughed, and for a moment, everything felt normal again. I hated how easily he could do that. One smile from him and all my doubts suddenly seemed foolish.

I leaned against the kitchen counter while he searched through the fridge, watching him move around the apartment like I had done countless times before.

There was something familiar about the scene, something that made my chest ache. Adrian eventually pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. I frowned. I thought you were hungry. I am. But I also need courage.

That caught my attention. I straightened. Courage for what? Adrian poured the wine and handed me a glass. I took it but didn't drink. He noticed immediately. You're making me nervous, I said. He gave me a strange look. Why? Because you said you needed to tell me something.

Adrian lowered his gaze to his glass. For the first time since I arrived, he looked genuinely uncomfortable. I had known him almost my entire life. I knew when he was lying, when he was angry and when he was pretending not to care. This was different. He looked like someone trying to find the right words and failing.

I waited until he finally rubbed his forehead and let out a quiet sigh. Do you remember Isabella? The name caught me off guard. Isabella who? Adrian looked up. Isabella Floyd. I stared at him as the memory slowly returned.

The girl from college. The one he had once talked about constantly before she suddenly left the country. I remembered his disappointment at the time, though he had tried to hide it.

I also remembered staying with him that night while he complained about her for nearly two hours. What about her? I asked. Adrian took a sip of his wine. She's coming back. I don't know why, but my body tensed.

Coming back where? Here. I gave a small laugh. Okay. And why are you telling me this like it's some kind of emergency? Adrian's fingers tightened around the glass. She's coming back for good.

I waited for him to continue, but he didn't. I took a drink of my wine and tried to ignore the strange discomfort settling in my stomach.

That's great for her, I said eventually. I'm sure you're happy to see an old friend. Adrian looked away. I didn't say she was just an old friend. The words were quiet, but they hit me harder than they should have.

I lowered my glass. What does that mean? He looked at me, but for a moment, he said nothing. I laughed once without humour. You keep saying you don't know lately. Elena, don't start. I'm not starting anything. You're the one who invited me here to tell me about her.

Adrian stood up and moved away from the counter. He looked frustrated, but I couldn't understand why. I had every right to ask. Isabella was clearly important enough for him to turn this into a serious conversation.

She contacted me a few weeks ago, he finally said. I said nothing. We've been talking. My fingers tightened around the glass. Talking? Yes. How often? Adrian looked at me. Why does that matter? The question left me speechless.

I looked down at my wine. I don't know. I thought you were telling me because you wanted me to know. I do. Then why are you acting like I'm asking for something unreasonable? He ran a hand through his hair.

Because you're making it sound like something it's not. I forced a smile. And what is it? Adrian didn't answer. The silence was enough.

I placed my glass on the counter and stood. You like her. Adrian looked at me quickly. I had expected him to deny it, but he didn't. Instead, he looked away.

My heart sank. Adrian, I said softly. He closed his eyes for a moment. I don't know what I feel. I laughed bitterly. Of course you don't. Elena— No, it's fine. I held up my hand.

You don't have to explain. But I do. Why? I looked at him. Are we together? The question escaped before I could stop it.

Adrian froze. The silence that followed was so complete that I could hear the faint hum of the refrigerator behind me.

I stared at him, waiting. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs, but I refused to look away. Finally, Adrian exhaled. Elena, I never said we were. Something inside me cracked.

I forced myself to smile. Right. He stepped toward me. That's not what I meant. Then what did you mean? I asked.

Adrian opened his mouth, but no answer came. I don't know. There it was again. The same answer he always gave whenever I asked him anything that mattered.

Adrian reached for my hand, but I pulled away. I think you should go, he said softly. I stared at him for a moment before picking up my bag.

As I walked toward the door, Adrian called my name. I stopped but didn't turn around. For one foolish second, I hoped he would finally say the words I had been waiting years to hear.

Instead, his voice came quietly from behind me. Please don't make things awkward between us. I closed my eyes. And just like that, I understood. Whatever I thought Adrian and I were, he had never been afraid of losing it.