The next day, I wake up to the smell of cooking eggs. My stomach roils, but my mind wants sleep. The more the smell reaches my nostrils, the more my stomach rebels. Before I can even think, I’m off the sofa and running toward the bathroom.

Clutching onto the side of the toilet, I vomit violently. I’m miserable, but the more I get rid of, the better I feel.

I feel a hand on my back, rubbing tenderly. That’s when it all comes back to me. Kyle, the smashed window, Ethan, falling asleep on the sofa.

Taking a couple deep breaths, I reach for a tissue, but Ethan hands me some. “Feeling better?”

I dab my mouth, flush the toilet, and turn to him. “Yes, much better. Thanks.” I feel like death warmed over, but Ethan looks bright-eyed. “I guess we both fell asleep, huh?” And it’s then I realise I didn’t wake up once during the night. That’s never happened before.

“I woke up in the middle of the night with you wrapped around me. You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to move you.”

My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realise.”

He chuckles. “Don’t be sorry. It was nice to see you looking so content. I know things have been hard for you, but I meant what I said. I’m here for you—to make things better.” He leans against the doorframe and scratches his head. “Well, that’s the plan anyway.”

I smile. “Well, your plan’s working.”

“Are you kidding? I just made you sick by trying to cook you breakfast. I don’t think that’s a good start.”

I place my hand on his shoulder. “You didn’t know. Besides, it’s nice. I can’t remember the last time someone cooked me breakfast.”

His eyes widen. “Kyle never cooked for you? Never made you breakfast in bed?”

I shake my head. “Nope. I think he felt it was woman’s work. Unfortunately, that was the way his parents brought him up. That’s what he always told me anyway. I could see it for myself all the times I was around them. His mother and I would be in the kitchen cooking, while Kyle and his dad would sit in the living room and talk ‘business’.”

He shakes his head. “But still. This is the twenty-first century. Growing up with friends and other cultures should have taught him differently. I know plenty of men who were brought up exactly the same, but rebelled against it. I think Kyle’s excuse that he was brought up that way is just laziness.”

I smirk. I’ve always liked Ethan, but getting to really know him already makes me feel close to him. He always knows the right things to say. It’s refreshing.

“Shall I get rid of breakfast?” he asks, pointing toward the kitchen.

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. Actually, I am really hungry. I didn’t eat much yesterday.”

He gives me a reprimanding look, but doesn’t say anything. The look tells me all I need to know.

As we walk into the kitchen, he points to a chair, so I diligently sit down, smiling. This is all new to me.

“How do you like your eggs?”

“Scrambled, please.”

He gets to work. By the way he’s opening drawers and helping himself to the seasonings, I can tell he feels at home in my kitchen. It’s quite fascinating to watch.

I look at the clock hanging on the wall. Shit, it’s almost nine. I’ve never slept this late. “I’m usually headed to my yoga class by now.”

Ethan turns and gives me a smile. “Don’t be hard on yourself. Sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the norm.”

I fake gasp. “Are my ears deceiving me, or is the doctor advising me not to exercise?”

“There’s always another day. Even doctors don’t always take their own advice. Live a little, but don’t overdo it. Enjoy the things that make you happy, but not so much that it could kill you.”

I start laughing as he scoops eggs onto two plates. “So now we’re a poet.”

Handing me a plate, Ethan sits down opposite me. “I try my best.” He points to my food with his fork. “I hope I’ve cooked them okay.”

I pick my fork up and scoop up some eggs, popping them into my mouth. Instantly, the flavours hit me. “Oh my god. What is that?”

Smirking, Ethan’s posture perks up like he’s just gotten the greatest compliment. “It’s just a sprinkling of salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme.”

Taking another bite, I moan. “It’s delicious.”

We don’t say much as we eat. I’m so engrossed in the eggs, conversation takes second place. Once finished, I set my fork down, realising Ethan’s still eating. “I’m such a pig,” I say, burping. My eyes widen, my face flushing. “Shit. How rude of me. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out.”

Ethan laughs. “Don’t worry about that. It’s actually a compliment in some countries. In fact, it would be considered rude if you didn’t burp after a meal. By the way…” He points toward me with a fork, “you’re not a pig. You’re hungry. I’ll just be glad if you manage to keep it down. Remember, you’re eating for two now.”

It was my turn to laugh. “You and I both know that’s a myth. Oh, Doctor.” I shake my head. “You really are going against the grain.”

He gets up, picking up both plates and walking toward the sink. “If you keep talking like that, you’re going to give me a bad reputation.”

I giggle, stopping when I hear the doorbell. I frown. I don’t know who it could be, then realise it could be someone wanting to measure for the new window. I get up and stroll toward the door. When I open it, I wish I hadn’t.

“Hi. Can I come in?”

My face drops as I stare at Sarah, then I remember Ethan’s in my kitchen. “Now is not a good time.”

We hear dishes clinking in the kitchen. “Oh, you have company. You decided to forgive him then. That’s good.”

I frown. “Why is it that you’ve just jumped to the conclusion it’s Kyle?”

“I...I just assumed,” she stutters, then sees Ethan’s coat. Her eyes narrow.

“Anything else I can wash...?” Ethan stops still when he emerges from the kitchen, a towel in his hand. We all stand there awkwardly.

I feel guilty all of a sudden, but then I remember I have no reason to. Ethan and I have done nothing wrong.

Sarah’s eyes lock onto mine as she scowls. “So this is how it goes? I go after your husband so you go after mine?”

Ethan steps in front of me. “Not that it’s any of your business, but this isn’t what it looks like.”

She laughs sarcastically. “Don’t play me for a fool. I know exactly what this is. Either you’ve gotten up especially early on a Saturday morning to play house, or you stayed the night. I think I know which one it is.”

“Contrary to popular belief,” I begin, “men and women can be friends without having sex. Not all of us suffer from irreparable temptation.”

Hearing my insinuation, she steps closer. “You fucking bitch!”

Ethan immediately puts his hands out to stop her. “Hey, that’s enough!”

I become angry. “You have the gall to call me a bitch after what you did? I thought we were friends.”

She scoffs at me. “You are about as much a friend to me as I was to you.”

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“Well, I kind of thought we could get back to being friends again, but then I catch you with my husband.”

Ethan sighs. “Stop it. Sarah, don’t try and make an excuse to rationalise what you did. Alice and I have done nothing wrong, yet you come here making false accusations.” Huffing, Sarah crosses her arms. “You came here to talk to Alice, and that’s a good thing, but then to immediately attack her without asking questions first? How dare you.”

I want to smile, but I know that will only make the situation worse.

Throwing her hands up in the air, she whines, “Well, what am I supposed to think?”

Ethan stares at her, sighs, then turns to me. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to have a quiet word with Sarah.”

I shake my head. “Of course not.”

When Ethan steps outside, I start to close the door, but not before seeing the look Sarah gives me. If looks could kill… She betrayed me by sleeping with my husband, yet I’ve ended up as the bad guy.

As I close the door, I can’t help but look through the peephole. Ethan says something to her, then she starts wailing. I’ve never seen anything like it. She sobs into her hands and suddenly shouts, “But I love you!” Ethan grabs her by the shoulders and says something I can’t hear.

I know I’ve overstepped my bounds, so I move away from the door. This is between them. It has nothing to do with me.

Grabbing my laptop, I open it up and start typing an email to my solicitor. I tell him everything that happened last night and ask if there is any chance for an injunction. Once reading through it, I press SEND and close the laptop.

When I start to walk toward the kitchen, I hear a knock. I open the door and see Ethan, looking sheepish. Sarah’s standing in my driveway with her back to me and arms crossed.

“She seems really fragile. I think I’m going to have to spend a bit more time calming her down. Will you be okay?”

I smile at him. “Of course. Please, go and do what you need to. I’ll be fine.”

He points toward the living room. “I just need to grab my coat.” He grabs it, then turns to me. He doesn’t look happy at all. “I feel like this is wrong somehow.”

I place my hand on his arm. “It’s fine. Seriously. The only way this would be awkward is if we were in a relationship. Even then, I would have told you to go to her. She may not be my friend anymore, but if she needs a shoulder to cry on, it needs to be you.”

Placing his hand over mine, he smiles. “I’ll give you a call later, okay?”

“Sure.”

I watch as both of them walk away. For some reason, a pang forms in my stomach. Despite everything that went down last night, I really enjoyed his company. It’s this thought that has me looking forward to his call later.