"I don't like lying to my brother, Ella," Gemma said, taking a sip of the hot tea from the tray I had just placed on the short wooden table in the café.

When I saw her at the club, I thought for sure Harry would put two and two together, and things would get really weird between us. He would feel betrayed—not just by me, but by Jimmy as well.

But luckily for me, he had been so wasted that I got away with it.

Still, I had to come clean to Gemma.

"Oh, Ella... I can't thank you enough for what you did," she said, her voice tight with emotion. "You saved my little girl. I can't tell you—"

"I didn't do anything, Gemma," I cut her off quickly.

I wasn't about to take credit for something so many people had helped make possible.

"I just reached out to people who were more than happy to help. They have more money than they know what to do with, so please don't feel like you owe me anything."

Gemma looked at me with wide, tearful eyes before reaching across the table and squeezing my hands.

"I'd still love to meet Chrys," she said softly.

"Of course," I smiled. "She's the sweetest person. We'd both love to come see Natalie whenever it's convenient."

At that, her face lit up, but something about her expression made me pause.

She looked... lonely.

"My brother is my best friend," she confessed after a moment.

My heart swelled and ached at the same time.

I could tell how much she adored him, but I also felt for her. There are just some things you can't talk about with your brother.

Things like heartbreak. Or self-doubt. Or the moments when you need someone to tell you you're not crazy for feeling the way you do.

Chrys and I had that. Maybe, just maybe, Gemma could have that with us too.

"Would you like to meet Chrys on Monday?"

"Absolutely. You could come by my house if you have time," she said with pure enthusiasm and I nodded.

"I am sorry I wasn't able to help with Harry last night," she added. "I had to get home. Was he OK?" she asked knowing her brother was as drunk as a fish. Her words brought images of last night right in front of me again.

Jimmy and I had to drag Harry to his bed while he alternated between laughing hysterically, trying to kiss me, and crying like a child.

"I swear to God, I'm going to beat the shit out of him tomorrow," Jimmy muttered as we shoved him into his car.

In the backseat, Harry was huffing into a paper bag like he was hyperventilating, except he was giggling the whole time.

"Harry, stop," I sighed.

"Can't," he slurred, exhaling dramatically. "S'too funny. Look at me, I'm like... a dragon."

Jimmy groaned. "I'm seriously gonna punch him."

When we finally got him inside, things got even worse.

"Ella, I want you here," Harry whined from his bed, patting the empty space beside him like a spoiled child.

I rolled my eyes and tried to cover him with the comforter, but he kicked it off immediately.

"Nooooo," he groaned. "Come kiss me. I wanna feel your lips again."

Jimmy froze. "Again?!"

"He doesn't know what he's saying," I muttered.

"I want to... to... lick you," Harry snorted, cracking himself up like it was the best joke in history.

Jimmy turned to me slowly.

"Like... like... lllike ice cream," Harry cackled. "Jimmy, man, get me ice cream. You're the best, I love you."

And then. He started crying.

"I love you man."

"Jesus fucking Christ! I am going to punch him" was Jimmy's reaction as he walked up and down the room.

"Ella baby I want vanilla ice cream, be my ice cream baby," and the attention was back on me damn it.

"OK, OK Harry I'll be what you want, now get back to bed, please," I tried to get him to lie down but it was pointless.

"Promise?"

"I promise Harry."

"Scout's honour?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Get the fuck down man, seriously," Jimmy warned him.

"Kiss me," he moved to grab me only to have Jimmy get in front of me.

"Harry, man, seriously get the fuck down and go to sleep before I fucking punch you, " you'd think that being a bartender for so long Jimmy would know how to handle someone who was drunk but he was worse.

"You will punch me?"

"You'd punch your friend? Your best friend? Ella baby, talk to him," and the tears were back on.

"Jesus! Here we go again," Jimmy huffed.

"I need to pee," he moved the covers once again and stood up only to feel dizzy and sit down.

"I am not doing this Jimmy," I shook my head.

"Harry I am taking you to the toilet, man, but I'm not touching your dick," Jimmy said helping him up.

"You can pee your pants for all I care."

"Ella can touch it."

"The hell she can...oh man, you owe me so fucking big."

"I am gonna punch him so hard tomorrow."

By the time we finally got him settled, I was completely drained.

"Yeah, Gemma, he was fine," I lied, stirring my tea.

Monday came too soon.

School was back on, and to make matters worse, I was paired with Brenda to cover the actual Manhunt event that would take place in less than a week.

"Since it's a huge event, someone should cover the behind-the-scenes part while the other comments on the competition, presenters, and committee," the professor announced. His severe tone made it clear there was no room for debate.

"Antony, you're covering the red carpet. Sam, you're handling post-event reactions."

"I'm covering the event," Brenda declared instantly, turning to me with a smug look. "You take the behind-the-scenes part."

I rolled my eyes.

"OK, your majesty," I mocked, offering her an exaggerated bow.

Truthfully? I was thrilled to take the behind-the-scenes role. It meant I wouldn't have to come across a certain Charlie Harrison.

But.

It also meant I'd be near Harry.

Which meant I'd have to talk to him beforehand and clear the air.

I hated that I had to do it. But it was inevitable.

***

"I can't believe my brother never mentioned you," Gemma said while helping Natalie unwrap the present we got her.

Oof.

My heart clenched at her words.

But Gemma's curious expression told me she had no idea there was any weirdness between Harry and me.

So he hadn't mentioned me to his sister.

Why would he?

I wasn't his girlfriend.

I wasn't even sure if I was still his friend.

I swallowed down the sting of that thought and turned to Natalie, who was beaming at her gift.

"Oh! Colouring pencils and a Sophia the First colouring book," Gemma said, smiling at her daughter. "How lovely, Natalie! Isn't it great, sugar? Sophia's your favourite, isn't she?"

Natalie nodded enthusiastically, her tiny hands hugging the book like it was a treasure.

"Say thank you to the girls, Natalie," Gemma encouraged gently.

Natalie turned to Chrys first, wrapping her small arms around her.

"Thank you," she whispered before running straight into my arms.

My heart melted.

"You're welcome, honey," I whispered back, holding her tight.

It was one of those moments where you wish hugs could fix everything.

That a warm embrace could magically erase all pain and suffering.

She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her big, beautiful eyes full of innocence.

"Thank you, Ella," she repeated softly.

My throat tightened.

I smiled through it, brushing a piece of hair from her face.

"Want to play?" she asked, tilting her head hopefully.

I grinned.

"Of course, baby. You want to colour together in your new book?"

She nodded eagerly, still holding onto me like I was her new best friend.

We had just flipped to the first page when we heard the door.

"What are you doing here?" Harry's voice boomed as he stepped into the living room.

Gemma barely had time to answer before Natalie came barrelling toward him.

"Hallyyyy!" she shrieked, throwing herself into his arms.

Immediately, his whole posture softened.

He knelt down, scooping her up and kissing her over and over, and I swear I could see his walls crumble.

But the moment she pointed at me and said, "Ella is my fliend, Hally," his gaze hardened again.

"Harry, you already know the girls. Jimmy introduced us the other night and I asked them over for some tea," Gemma explained.

"Can I talk to you outside?" he asked, his voice clipped.

I swallowed. Here we go.

The second the door shut behind me, the interrogation began.

"What are you doing here, Ella?"

"You heard Gemma. Jimmy introduced us."

He narrowed his eyes.

"If you think you can use her to get to me—"

I swear, my brain short-circuited.

"...What?"

"You heard me."

A sharp, disbelieving laugh escaped my lips.

"You think I'm using your sister to get to you?"

"You tell me."

"I'm not y_"I I wanted to say I'm not you, I don't use others to get something but I am glad I stopped myself from uttering the words.

I stared at him, incredulous instead.

"What?" I felt like someone punched me in the stomach.

"What are you insinuating?"

"You heard me."

"Who the hell do you think you are Harry?" I wasn't angry, I was furious.

"What the hell is wrong with you talking to me like that? You think that because we shared a few moments together, I would use your sister like that?"

"I'm calling it as I see it."

"You are unbelievable!" I put my hands up in annoyance and then down again.

"Harry, I know you think you are God's gift to women, but not for this woman," I said motioning to the door.

"I don't recall you complaining the other night," he spat in arrogance.

I turned to walk back inside, but before I could turn the knob, he moved behind me, shutting the door and trapping me between it.

"This is getting old," I whispered.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

"I don't care."

"Don't you?"

I met his gaze, my voice calm but firm.

"No."

He hesitated. Just for a second.

And then I finished it.

"Listen to me carefully, Harry. I don't want anything from you. The other night? That was a mistake. A moment of weakness on my part. I don't want to be your friend anymore."

Something in his face shifted.

"If we run into each other because of Gemma, we'll be civil. That's it. And for the record?" I let the corner of my lip curve up slightly.

"I don't recall you complaining either."

I turned the knob and walked inside, leaving him standing there like a fool.

"Come on, Chrys," I said, grabbing my bag.

We waved goodbye to the two most important women in his life.

And I didn't look back.