Chapter 3I Stopped Loving You Years Ago

In the end, Sophie didn’t get into Princeton.

She ended up at my school, Northwood University.

I didn’t see her again until move-in day, when I spotted her dragging a suitcase across the freshman quad.

We hadn’t spoken all summer. When she saw me, a flicker of anxiety crossed her face. It was only after Aunt Penny nudged her that she reluctantly came over to help with my bags.

“I got stuck at this crappy school with you,” she muttered under her breath, so only I could hear. “Are you happy now?”

It felt like a punch to the gut. I sidestepped her, moving away from her reach.

She froze, her hand hovering awkwardly in mid-air.

Aunt Penny quickly smoothed things over and offered to walk me to my dorm.

On the way, she apologized.

“Ethan, honey, Sophie’s just being immature. I’m so sorry for what she said back then. I’ll speak to her.”

I dragged my suitcase along the pavement. Sophie was already long gone.

“It’s okay, Aunt Penny. It’s in the past,” I said, my voice muffled. “We’re adults now. We don’t like those childhood jokes anymore. I’ll keep my distance from Sophie from now on.”

I had thought it through.

Childhood fantasies aren’t real. A childhood crush can’t be forced.

But Aunt Penny grabbed my arm, her face full of disapproval. “What do you mean, keep your distance? You and Sophie grew up together. You know each other inside and out. That girl just doesn’t know what’s good for her…”

“In my heart,” she declared, “you will always be the only son-in-law I’ll ever want.”

I didn’t know how to respond.

Aunt Penny had always been incredibly kind to me. She didn’t have a son, but whenever she saw cool sneakers or athletic gear, she’d buy it for me. She always joked with my mom that she was just “buttering up her future son-in-law.”

Seeing my silence, she just smiled and patted my shoulder.

“Ethan, you’re at the same university now. I know that girl’s temperament. Just take care of her, be patient with her. She responds to a gentle touch, not a firm hand…”

I felt like I was going to be sick.

I liked Sophie, yes.

But I couldn’t just swallow my pride and chase after her after she’d rejected me so cruelly.

I gently pulled my arm from her grasp.

“I can get to my room from here, Aunt Penny.”