Sarah had no idea . She linked her arm through mine , and I gratefully leaned on her for support . My legs felt shaky . " She's right , little bro . I want to meet your girlfriend . Don't be stingy . " I looked directly at Ashley , my voice steady . Then , the " girlfriend " in question called out weakly , " Ashley , honey ? Could you come here ? I think my blood sugar is low . " Ashley rushed to her side , all concern . " Emily ! What's wrong ? Do we need to go to the hospital ?
" Sarah , worried , pulled me toward the living room . Emily , in a white sundress , leaned against Ashley . She smiled 28.474 20 3483 chapter 1 apologetically . " Sorry to worry you . I skipped lunch . Just need a little sugar . " Her gaze shifted to me . "And who is this ? " Ashley , quick to cover , said , " Just a friend of Sarah's . " Then , pointedly , " We don't really know each other . " … We don't know each other . Right . 94 Vouchers I'd never imagined dating Ashley .
He was three years younger , and we'd grown up together . I'd witnessed his tearful tantrums and goofy teenage phases . Before he confessed his feelings , I'd never seen him as anything but a kid brother . But that changed one winter night two years ago . I had a terrible cold and was working late . When I got to my apartment , I found Ashley shivering on my doorstep . I didn't know how long he'd been waiting , too nervous to ask when I'd be home . He'd come to confess his feelings .
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He brightened when he saw me , pulling a slightly wilted bouquet of roses from his coat . He'd been more worried about the flowers freezing than himself . At his feet sat a bag filled with cold medicine . " Ashley , I saw your post . I don't want you to be sick and alone anymore . And I don't want to keep caring about you secretly . I like you . " He'd been so earnest , so nervous . I'd laughed it off , thinking he was delirious from the cold . As I turned to go inside , he grabbed my arm .
His eyes were red - rimmed , his voice thick with emotion . " Ashley , please don't reject me . Please … " Something shifted in me . His closeness , his vulnerability … it reminded me that he wasn't just the boy I'd grown up with . He was a man . I still said no . It felt too weird . We were like siblings . But he persisted . For a year , he was there whenever I needed him .
A 30 36 % 20.343 chapter 1 w Yorker forgotten umbrella on a rainy day , agonizing period cramps in winter , a stranded evening commute … he filled the gaps in my life . He'd appear like a loyal puppy , eyes shining , calling out , " Ashley ! Over here ! "
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