Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 28

28 Ava’s Conundrum 

m Finished 

Ava might look like a gentle and meek girl, but that was nothing more than a protective façade. In truth, she was no pushover. Ethan had noticed that characteristic of hers almost 

immediately. 

So, he asked, “Ms. Morren, do you dislike Ryan and me that much?” 

Ava instantly shook her head and said, “Of course not! Mr. Brock, we were essentially strangers. I don’t know about everyone else, but I personally think that it’d be odd for anyone to dislike someone for no reason at all.” 

“If that’s the case, then why are you pushing for this? I’ve heard your concerns, and I don’t find you lacking in any way. If you don’t mind, I’d like us to give this a shot,” he replied. 

Ava met his gaze. His silver–gray eyes were steady and earnest, which meant he genuinely meant what he said. 

“Why?” she asked. “I thought I had already made myself clear.” 

“Then, I suppose you can consider this as me falling for you at first sight.” 

Ava nearly choked on air as she exclaimed, “Are you serious right now? Mr. Brock, having a sense of humor is fine, but this? You fell in love with me at first sight? Please! This isn’t a fairytale and I’m not a child!” 

Ethan let out a soft chuckle. “Well, it’s like you said so earlier. You don’t dislike me. It just so happens that I don’t dislike you either. So, why can’t we give this a go? Of course, I’ll your decision if you still want to end this arrangement by the time you turn 26.” 

respect 

“After all, you were the one who forced the match to happen. Yet here you are, backing out on me like this… Put yourself in my shoes for a change, wouldn’t you find this completely unreasonable too? 

“After all, I haven’t done anything wrong to warrant such a reaction from you. Or perhaps…” he trailed off as a mischievous spark appeared in his eyes. 

“Are you afraid you’ll fall for me?” 

Ava’s eyes had gone as wide as saucers as she stared at him, utterly gobsmacked. His shameless words were completely at odds with the calm and righteous persona he had been maintaining. 

Was this shameless guy sitting right there really the infamously impartial judge, Mr. Ethan Brock? 

“So, what do you think? Would you like to give us a shot, Ava?” he drawled huskily, her name 

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15:38 Tue, Jan 6 

Chapter 28 Ava’s Conundrum 

rolling off his tongue like spun sugar. 

God, this man is impossible! 

: 

/, (57 ) 

Finished 

Ava hastily looked away and set her sights on Ryan instead. “Mr. Ryan, what about you? What 

do 

you 

think?” 

If she couldn’t reason with the older Brock brother, perhaps the younger one would be more amenable to her suggestion. 

After all, Ryan was a veteran in the entertainment industry. Although she didn’t pay attention to that particular industry, she knew enough to know what it was like. 

He was surrounded by beautiful people day in and day out. He was a famous celebrity adored by countless fans online, so why would he ever bother looking twice at her? 

Ryan was far more hot–tempered than Ethan. So, he crossed his arms and retorted bluntly, “What? Are you trying to get me to back out? Or are you trying to dump me?” 

Ava nearly jumped at his obvious displeasure, so she quickly insisted, “No! Not at all! I’m not suggesting anything of the sort. Mr. Ryan, I’m saying that you would be the one doing the dumping.” 

Please don’t get the sequence twisted. The sequence is important! 

Ryan snorted coldly. “Do I look like an idiot to you? Isn’t that the same thing?” 

Ava sighed helplessly. “Of course not. It’s totally different if you’re the one ending the arrangement.” 

“So, you’re willing to try to see where it goes when it’s with Ethan, but you want me to dump you?” Ryan couldn’t help but raise his voice as he demanded hotly, “Why the double standard?” 

“When did I ever agree to test the waters with Ethan?” Ava asked, utterly bewildered by how he’d come to that conclusion. 

She hadn’t even decided on her next move yet. If anything, she was clearly trying to redirect the conversation by choosing not to answer! 

“You didn’t say no, so you might as well have said yes!” he shot back huffily. 

“Well, it doesn’t matter because I don’t care what you want to do. You were the one who forced this match on me, not the other way around. 

I didn’t do anything wrong, so why should I suffer the ‘divorcee‘ label when I haven’t even had the chance to be a husband? Why should you get to call all the shots, Ava?” 

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