Almost 7

Chapter 7 

Of course, I didn’t have the time or energy to worry about all the rumors swirling around outside. 

I had something much more important to focus on. 

I was going to pursue Evan. 

I knew I didn’t stand a chance, but I just wanted to put on a show for Austin’s sake. 

That way, even if things didn’t turn out the way he wanted, at least I could say I tried–no one could blame me for not putting in the effort. 

I didn’t have any experience with this sort of thing, so I turned to a friend for advice. 

Liana Daley, my college classmate, was a self–proclaimed expert when it came to relationships. 

In her words, “If you need help with a guy, I’m your girl.” 

I asked her, “How do you win a man over?” 

She practically clicked her tongue in amazement. 

“Austin? 

“With the way he dotes on you, do you even need to try?” 

Back in college, Austin used to show up on campus all the time to see me. He was good–looking, wealthy, and the kind of guy who turned heads wherever he went. 

Before long, everyone knew how well he treated me, so well it bordered on excessive. I brushed it off. “I just want to learn, that’s all.” 

That night, Liana held nothing back, sharing every tip and trick she knew. 

After that, I started my pursuit of Evan. 

Every day after work, I waited for him outside the Vancott Group building, bringing him flowers and love notes- notes so embarrassingly sweet, I couldn’t even bear to read them a second time myself. 

Evan always stayed cool and distant, but he never made things awkward for me. 

Over the years, we’d actually crossed paths more than a few times. 

Sophomore year, Austin had taken me on a trip out of state. 

I caught a cold from getting caught in the rain, but when Austin heard something had happened to Ruth, he hopped on an overnight flight out of the country, leaving me behind. 

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06:04 

Chapter 7 

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In the end, it was Evan who took care of me. 

Once, a client gave me a hard time and dumped coffee on me–it was Evan who stepped in and got me out of that 

mess. 

Every time, it was when I was at my lowest, most humiliated. 

I took photos of my “chasing Evan” efforts and sent them to Austin. 

To my surprise, he blocked me. 

I didn’t care. I figured I’d keep it up for another ten days or so, then report back to him all at once. That way, at least I wouldn’t be accused of being ungrateful. 

But that evening, while I was out shopping with Liana, we ran into Austin and Ruth. They were carrying armfuls of shopping bags. 

Austin’s usual spoiled–rich–boy attitude seemed to vanish around Ruth. Both his hands were full–women’s clothes, purses, all sorts of things. 

When he spotted me, he stopped in his tracks. Ruth smiled. 

“Oh, it’s you. 

“What brings you here? Shopping for something? Want me to give you a recommendation? 

“Oh, by the way, everything here is pretty expensive. Did you bring enough money? Or did you hear Austin was here and come hoping to use his card? Here, take it.” 

With that, she held out her hand–Austin’s credit card sitting right in her palm. 

Liana, with her fiery temper, immediately picked up on the tension. She let out a cold laugh. 

“What’s that supposed to mean? 

“What, you think you’re better than everyone else just because you have money?” 

She glared at Austin. “Miley even asked me how to win you over. How can you just stand there and let another wom- an talk to her like that?” 

Liana still didn’t know Ruth was his beloved crush. 

I pulled Liana behind me, shielding her. “It’s fine.” 

When I looked up again, I saw Austin watching me. There was surprise in his eyes, maybe even a hint of emotion… 

He said, “Honestly, I’m over it. If you want to make up, just say so–you don’t need to do all this. And Ruth didn’t mean anything by what she said…” 

“Austin,” I interrupted him. 

“All the money you’ve spent on me–I’ll pay it back. 

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Chapter 7 

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“I mean it. 

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done, but I won’t keep bothering you. Once I’ve done what you asked, I’ll leave.” 

Austin just stared at me, stunned. The bags in his hands slipped to the floor. 

“You… that’s not what I meant.” 

I ignored him, grabbed Liana, and walked away. 

Once we left the mall, Liana was still fuming. 

“You need to stop liking Austin. There’s definitely something going on between him and that woman. I can’t believe I ever thought he was a good guy.” 

I couldn’t help but laugh. 

“Yeah, I don’t like him anymore.” 

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