Ivan didn't expect to see Ava tonight. Not after the way she had dozed off on his shoulder last night, completely unaware of the havoc she had wreaked on his heart.
But there she was, stepping into their usual coffee shop—with someone else.
Ivan barely had time to register the guy before they walked past him. Tall, blond, polished. He looked like the type of guy who had a five-year plan, who sent good morning texts, who knew exactly what to say to make a girl melt.
The type of guy Ava probably deserved.
Ivan's grip on his coffee tightened.
He told himself it was fine. That this was normal. That Ava could date whoever she wanted, and it had nothing to do with him.
And yet, when she spotted him, her eyes lighting up like she hadn't just dropped a bomb on his chest, he could barely muster a nod.
"Ivan!" she said, tugging the guy toward his table. "Hey! Didn't expect to see you here."
His throat was dry. "Yeah. I—uh—just grabbing coffee."
The guy beside her extended a hand. "Hey, man. Carter."
Carter. That Carter? The one Nathan had been talking about? The one she had laughed off like it wasn't a big deal?
Ivan shook his hand, barely keeping his expression in check. "Ivan."
Ava smiled, oblivious to the war raging in his chest. "We're grabbing dinner after this. Carter just got back from a trip, so we're catching up."
Ivan forced a smirk. "Nice. Sounds… fun."
Ava gave him a look, like she knew he was being weird but couldn't figure out why. "You should join us."
His jaw clenched. Was she serious? Did she really think he could sit across from them while she laughed at Carter's jokes, while Carter got to be the one who made her smile?
"Can't," he said, standing abruptly. "Got work to do."
Ava frowned. "But it's Friday—"
"Enjoy your dinner," he muttered, already heading for the door.
He didn't look back.
Because if he did, he might have done something stupid—like beg her to realize that she already had someone who would give her the world.
And that she was walking away from him.
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