The Sixth Year of Crushing on Ethan

It was the sixth year I'd been crushing on Ethan, and we were still just friends. When I got sick and was hospitalized, he was all in, paying the bills and visiting more than anyone else. When my cousin got engaged, he came with me to the party, handing over the biggest envelope at the event. Everyone figured it was just a matter of time before we got together.

Finally, I worked up the courage and confessed my feelings. But he just glanced at me, almost bored. Then, he started fiddling with his lighter, a little smirk on his face. “You see me as a boyfriend when I see you as a buddy? You’re kidding, right? Come on, Liv, don’t be crazy.”

I was silent for a long time, then nodded. “Okay.”

After that, we didn’t talk much. The next time I heard from him, it was two months later. He asked casually, “What have you been up to? Haven’t seen you in forever.”

I glanced at the stiff, aloof guy across from me, the one on this blind date, and told him the truth. “Oh, I’ve been hitting the dating scene, meeting new guys.”

The line went dead. Then, I heard the unmistakable sound of a cell phone shattering on the other end.

01

I never thought it would come to this, not with Ethan. He was leaning against the railing, relaxed, a slight smile playing on his lips, like he was hearing some funny joke.

He asked, "So, tell me, what is it about me that you like?”

My palms were sweaty. “You're… you’re good to me.” Better than anyone.

For six years, he had been there for everything. On my birthday, he'd take charge, making my cake, booking the best spot in town, surrounding me with people, and lazily lighting the candles. “Make a wish,” he'd say. “If the universe can't handle it, I’ve got you covered.”

He had this place down in Malibu, a killer house with a huge rose garden, just because I loved them. He didn't even live there. He’d bought it when I was starting my career, stressing out, and feeling like I wasn't good enough. I'd cried in front of him, all overwhelmed. Soon after that, he moved in, leaving me a room with a wink. “If you're having a bad day, come over here. I’m close by, who else are you going to call?”

My work hours were insane, and I didn't eat right. He, the silver spoon guy, learned to cook so he could bring me food every day at lunch. The first dish he learned was my favorite, spicy Kung Pao chicken.

He was born into money, but he was never stuck-up. There were girls lining up around the block to date him. When one of them asked me to set up a date, I agreed because I was too young to say no. That night, the girl called me, saying, “He seems chill, but he’s cold to the bone. I don’t have a chance.”

She said that Ethan was the most polite guy she’d ever met. Even when he realized he’d been tricked into a date, he wasn't mad. He calmly finished the meal with her, and then said, "Liv is just starting out. She doesn't have time for these games. You shouldn't bother her. Got it, Miss Davis?”

Those were golden times.

Everyone thought we were...