My mother taught me two ironclad rules for when a relationship is over: First, when a man starts planning a future without you.
Second, when another woman appears at his side who understands him better than you do.
I looked at my boyfriend Ethan, who’d just landed an offer from a top aerospace company inÂ
Seattle, and at Nina, my best friend. Then, out of nowhere, I heard myself say: “So—in your plans, is there any room for me?”
The words hung in the air. The animated conversation between them died on the spot.
Nina’s face twisted with awkward sympathy.
“Lena, the cost of living in Seattle is really high. With your skill set… it might be tough for you to land a decent job out there.”
Ethan carefully picked the bones out of Nina’s fish, then answered in his usual unhurried way:
“Nina’s right. You should just head back home and find something steady.”
Without waiting for my response, they picked right back up where they’d left off, launching into a technical discussion about aerospace vehicle development I couldn’t follow.
And in that moment, my mother’s words echoed in my head.
I finally understood. In this three-person game, I had already become the piece nobody wanted.
Never His Second Choice Chapter 09 I waved my hands frantically. “He’s not trying to win me back. He’s just—having some kind of meltdown, I don’t even know…” Owen laughed and shook his head. “Lena. You still don’t understand men. You’re too good. He lost you. And when he realizes it, he’s going to come
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 08 I laughed out loud. “Ethan. I’m not sleeping on your couch. Because I’m not that cheap.” Ethan’s brow knit tighter. He rushed to explain: “I can rent you your own apartment. It’s not a big deal.” “So I’m just supposed to keep tolerating you living with my best friend?
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 07 Ethan pressed his lips together and was about to say something, but I’d already walked over to the convenience store next door and bought myself a clear plastic umbrella. “Let’s go. There’s a good Texas barbecue place around the corner.” I walked ahead with my umbrella open. Ethan gripped
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 06 A whole month of silence, and that was the first thing he said to me? Casual. Arrogant. He still, deep down, looked down on me. I swallowed the anger and answered with a calm that surprised even me: “Ethan, I love my job. I’m not quitting.” There was a
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 05 He hadn’t realized I wasn’t in Seattle. More accurately—he hadn’t cared enough to check. Because whenever he turned around, I was always right behind him. The corner of my mouth curved. Ethan, when are you finally going to notice I’m not following you anymore? I dragged my suitcase through
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 04 Nina rushed over and threw her arms around me, delighted. “Lena! I knew you’d come see us off!” Ethan pulled Nina back and bent down to gently brush off the hem of her dress. “Lena’s sweaty. Don’t get your new dress dirty.” The faint distaste in his voice made
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 03 Nina sat by the bed, eyes red and swollen. She clutched my arm and started to cry. “Lena, let’s promise not to fight anymore, okay? I can’t stand seeing you in the hospital again.” Ethan walked in from the hallway. When he saw I was awake, the crease between
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 02 Tears splashed onto the screen. I typed back slowly: “Thank you, but I’m no longer planning to move to Seattle.” From Ethan’s lab at the University of Washington to my apartment on the outskirts of the city, it was nearly an hour by cab. I’d made that trip for
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Never His Second Choice Chapter 01 My mother taught me two ironclad rules for when a relationship is over: First, when a man starts planning a future without you. Second, when another woman appears at his side who understands him better than you do. I looked at my boyfriend Ethan, who’d just landed an offer
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