A young woman tormented by bullies invents a wealthy boyfriend to protect herself, using a stranger's photo as proof. When the real man behind the picture enters her life, her harmless lie spirals into a complicated romance with stakes she never expected.
It was way too late to bail out of the car and run now, and it might even make people think I'd stolen something. I quickly gathered my thoughts and deliberately lowered my voice. Ethan, hi. Evan's stomach's acting up so he asked me to drive your car back, I didn't know you were in here too. Should I go back up and get Evan again?
Ethan was silent a moment, then looked away and closed his eyes again. No need. Ethan and I had video chatted, but I'd never shown my face. So, I knew there was no way Ethan could recognize me.
Still, seeing Ethan close his eyes, I secretly breathed a little easier. Just as I'd finally set my heart at ease and got ready to start the car, I realized I couldn't find where to put the key. Ethan was resting in the back, and I didn't dare ask him.
I searched until I was drenched in sweat, ready to flip the whole driver's seat over. Just then, a low voice sounded next to my ear. You don't know how to drive? I sat bolt upright, nodded in embarrassment, then shook my head fast.
My feelings were a tangle. I couldn't say what I felt exactly. I just didn't dare look Was it weird that I couldn't drive it? Who's ever driven a car like this? This car's wheels alone cost more than my whole semester's living expenses, and I only learned to drive on the cheapest bargain package I could scrounge.
Whatever. Not the car's fault. It's on me for being broke. When I get nervous, I can't help picking at my fingers a habit I've had for over 20 Right now, my mind was a total blank, and my fingers had already knotted themselves Useless.
Ethan, I- I looked up, meaning to explain, only to find Ethan's gaze fixed on my hands. a chill ran down my back I remember doing this on video with Ethan when I was working through a problem Ethan had even teased me about it I was sitting in