Chapter 3

"Chloe, hon, we only have the guest dishes left — you don't mind, right?"

Autumn sets out two bowls.

Matching bowls.

Matching chopsticks.

Little matching heart-print sauce dishes.

A couple's set.

Then she skips off to the kitchen to "help Ry."

They're laughing. Bumping hips. She flicks water at him. He splashes her back.

Full couple energy.

And me?

I'm sitting on my own couch. In my own apartment.

Like a guest nobody invited.

My stomach burns. The pot bubbles.

I can't eat.

"Ryan."

My voice cuts through their giggling.

"You said you rented the place to her. Where's the lease?"

Ryan frowns.

"Chloe. Come on. It's a favor. I don't write up a contract for a favor."

"Okay. And the rent?"

"She Venmos me. I'll forward it to you if you want."

He shrugs. Casual.

"Honestly? Autumn's basically been house-sitting. Keeping the place clean. Watering the plants. If anything, we should be paying *her*."

I laugh.

Out loud.

Because no.

No no no.

Autumn twists a strand of hair around her finger.

"Oh! Should I just Venmo Chloe from now on?"

Little pout.

"Ry's been so sweet — he only charges me ten bucks a month. I actually still owe him for this month. Chloe, hon, lemme get your Venmo?"

She holds up her phone. QR code ready. Eyes on mine.

That look isn't shy.

That's a dare.

"*Ten dollars?*"

I'm on my feet.

Ryan flinches.

"Ryan. This place is three thousand square feet. Downtown. Ten minutes from your office. Market rent is eight thousand a month."

I'm shaking.

"And you charged her *ten bucks*? You're not renting her the apartment, Ryan. You're renting *her*."

His face goes purple.

"Chloe Sinclair."

Low voice. Mean voice.

"It's my *birthday*. You flew back to pick a fight with me?"

He slams his glass down.

"Autumn and I are *clean*. She works under me. I helped her out. That's it."

He points at me.

"You know what? You've got a filthy heart. Sick people see filth in everything."