Chapter 2

"Aurora, don't look at me like that, you're scaring me."

The next evening, I pushed open the front door after work and heard that sugary sweet line.

Chloe sat on the living room sofa, wearing an oversized men's white dress shirt, with the collar open, revealing her collarbones. I recognized that shirt; Ethan had bought that limited edition last month.

Ethan came out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of cut fruit, which he placed in front of her.

"Aurora, you're back." He glanced at me, his tone flat. "Chloe just arrived in the city looking for a job, she has nowhere to stay, so she's crashing with us for a few days."

Chloe took a bite of an apple and flashed me a sweet smile.

"Aurora, you don't mind, do you? Ethan and I are like siblings."

"Like siblings?" I walked over, staring at the shirt she was wearing. "Do siblings share clothes now?"

"Aurora, please don't misunderstand. I just arrived, and my clothes got dirty, so Ethan lent me this."

Chloe turned and tugged on Ethan's sleeve.

"Ethan, maybe I should just go. I don't want to cause trouble between you and Aurora."

Ethan immediately stood up when he heard that.

"What do you mean, go? This is your home." He turned to me, his brows tightly furrowed. "Aurora, can you stop being so petty? Chloe's a young woman out on her own, what's wrong with me looking out for her?"

"I just asked about the shirt."

"Even asking isn't allowed! Your tone is just dripping with sarcasm." Ethan slammed the fruit bowl onto the coffee table. "It's bad enough you act like a boss at work, but you come home and put on airs for my cousin too? Who do you think you are?"

Seeing his self-righteous expression, I actually found it amusing.

The messages floated across my mind right on cue.

[Hahaha, Aurora's speechless, isn't she?]

[Chloe played that retreat-to-advance card perfectly, Ethan's practically melting with sympathy.]

[Wearing Ethan's white shirt? So hot. Later, when they shrink, they should totally do it in his shirt pocket.]

[Yes, yes, right under Aurora's nose, in Ethan's shirt pocket, just thinking about it is thrilling.]

I averted my gaze, pulled out a dining chair, and sat down.

"Fine, if she's your cousin, she can stay." I picked up a glass of water and took a sip. "Which room?"

"The guest room," Ethan said.

"Then where do I sleep?"

"You'll sleep with me in the master bedroom," he said, as if it were obvious.

I raised an eyebrow. Last night he kicked me out of the master bedroom, and today he wants me back? Looks like he has some new tricks up his sleeve.

"Alright," I agreed readily.

Dinner was takeout Ethan ordered, all Chloe's favorite spicy Mexican dishes. I have a sensitive stomach; we usually cook very light meals at home. I couldn't eat any of it.

"Aurora, why aren't you eating?" Chloe picked up a large chili pepper and put it in my bowl. "Are you saying the takeout isn't clean?"

"I have a sensitive stomach; I can't eat spicy food." I picked the chili pepper out.

"Oh, you're so fussy," Chloe pouted. "Ethan used to love spicy food. He hasn't had a proper, satisfying meal in ages, just to accommodate you." She turned to Ethan, her face full of concern. "Ethan, you're so pathetic. Getting married and losing your freedom to even eat what you want."

Ethan sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness and indulgence.

"Can't be helped, I married her after all. You eat more, don't mind her."

I put down my forks and quietly watched their performance.

After dinner, Ethan couldn't wait, practically dragging Chloe into the master bedroom.

"Chloe, didn't you say you were interested in miniature landscapes? I'll show you the ecosystem tank I just set up."

"Oh yes, yes, Ethan, you're amazing, you can do anything."

The door closed in front of me, but it wasn't locked.

I walked to the bathroom and turned on the faucet to wash my face.

The messages in my mind were already practically flooding the screen.

[Here it comes, here it comes, the main event!]

[Chloe has already drunk the shrinking potion, Ethan is taking off his clothes.]

[Tonight's script is sex on Aurora's pillow! So wild!]

I dried my face, then casually picked up a half-empty bottle of disinfectant from the counter and unscrewed the cap.

"Since you're going to play on my pillow, I'll disinfect it for you."