Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 120

Chapter 120 Knock Knock 

“Ava, it’s me. Open the door!” 

It was Keith. 

She looked at Ethan on the couch, and her heart almost stopped. 

“Ava, open up!” 

Finished 

His voice came again, loud and impatient, with sharp knocks shaking the door. Ava turned to Ethan, panicked. She rushed over and whispered, “Can you hide? Please?” 

Ethan blinked in confusion. “Why should I hide?” 

Ava stamped her foot. “Just do it! If someone sees you, it’s gonna be a mess!” 

She grabbed his hand. Her grip was tight and frantic. 

Ethan glanced down. Her hand was warm. The heat soaked right into his chest. His softened. He flipped his hand over and held hers back. 

eyes 

Ava pulled him into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. She took a breath, fixed her hair, and walked to the front door. 

“Took you long enough.” 

“I was listening to music. Didn’t hear you,” she said, shrugging it off. 

Keith stepped in and shut the door behind him like nothing was weird. Ava looked at him. “What’s going on?” 

Keith grinned wide. “What, I need a reason to see you now? You barely spoke to me this morning. Then, you vanished at lunch. Jane said you came upstairs to rest.” 

Ava paused. “So you knew I was resting and came up anyway?” 

Keith sat beside her without a care. “I just wanted to talk. I won’t stay long.” 

His eyes drifted to the tea on the coffee table. It was still steaming. “Did someone drop by?” 

Ava’s heart skipped. “No. I wanted tea, so I made a cup.” 

Keith raised a brow. “You’re supposed to be resting, and you’re drinking that much tea? It’ll keep you up, you know.” He looked right at her. Suspicious. She quickly looked away and stared at the tea. 

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13:12 Wed, Jan 14 

Chapter 120 Knock Knock 

“I didn’t say I was drinking it now.” 

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Finished 

Keith reached into his pocket, pulled out a single blue rose, and held it out to her. “Here. For you.” 

Ava stared at it. Her heart sank. “You couldn’t have picked a better time? If someone sees this, what are you gonna say?” 

“Are you trying to deny what we have?” 

That one landed like a punch. She didn’t even know how to respond. 

“I…” 

She didn’t have to. Another knock hit the door–this time, heavier. 

Ava glanced at Keith, bolted upright, and went to check. She peeked through the peephole. Laurent. 

Her breath caught. She tiptoed back and yanked Keith up. He looked completely confused. She held a finger to her lips, then shoved him into the walk–in closet. “Stay here. Don’t move. Don’t make a sound.” 

Keith watched her dart off like a startled rabbit. He clenched his jaw. “Do I look like I belong in hiding or something?” 

Ava didn’t hear that. She took a second, inhaled, twisted the doorknob, and opened the door with a feigned look of surprise. “Hey. What are you doing here?” 

Laurent leaned in and looked past her into the apartment. Then his eyes dropped to her. “Just wanted to check on you. 

“Can I come in?” 

All Ava could think about was the two men hiding in her apartment. If either of them made a sound, she was screwed, 

“Sure. Come in.” She stepped aside, glanced down the hallway, and shut the door. 

She ignored how much space he took up. “Make yourself at home.” 

Laurent walked to the couch and sat down. He eyed the tea, still hot. “This for me?” 

Ava froze. “No. I didn’t know you were coming.” 

His eyes locked on hers. He picked up the cup and turned it in his hand. “You have company?” 

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Chapter 120 Knock Knock 

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Finished 

Panic spiked. There was no way she’d admit that. Not at a time like this. 

“Nope. Made it for myself. If you want it and don’t care if it burns, go ahead.” Ava sighed. 

Laurent placed the cup back down. “You don’t look too happy.” 

Of course I don’t. How could I? she thought. 

“I’m good!” She sat down across from him, putting space between them. “So, what brings you here?” 

“You think I need an excuse to come see you?” Laurent stood up and slowly walked toward her. “Ava, I don’t think you realize where you stand.” 

She stared as he got closer. It felt like the room heated up around him. Her whole body locked up like it wanted to bolt. But her legs wouldn’t move. He stopped right in front of her. She couldn’t breathe. 

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B 

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