They Both Wanted Me Every Day — Now They Both Want Sunday to Last Longer Without Me Chapter 03

They Both Wanted Me Every Day — Now They Both Want Sunday to Last Longer Without Me Chapter 03

The living room went quiet.

Frank froze mid-step with the tea tray.

Ethan looked at me, brow lowering. “You heard that yesterday?”

I nodded.

He didn’t explain the words. He just said, “Lena. Don’t take a joke so seriously.”

I asked, “Was it a joke? You wanting Sunday to last longer?”

Ethan pushed the gift box into my arms. “There are guests tonight. Don’t cause a scene.”

Those words—don’t cause a scene—hit harder than any hot tea.

I took the box upstairs and changed into that white dress I hated.

It didn’t fit. The waist cinched so tight I couldn’t sit straight.

The birthday party was at Ethan’s newly opened club. Flowers lined the entrance. Everyone praised his success.

Nora stood under the lights in a pale green dress, like an orchid someone had carefully cultivated. She saw me and rushed over.

“Lena! You look gorgeous.”

Before I could respond, the woman behind her chimed in, “Ms. Hale has such good taste. Miss Vance is usually so high-maintenance, but in this dress you picked, she actually looks presentable.”

Nora grabbed my hand. “Don’t say that. Lena’s just been a little spoiled, that’s all.”

Ethan walked over and stepped in front of Nora to block a server carrying drinks. He didn’t notice that same server nearly crashed into me. Wine splashed across my skirt.

Someone laughed quietly. “Man, this girl can’t keep a dress clean today.”

I watched Ethan. He handed napkins to Nora to wipe a drop of wine off her hand. Like he only then realized I was a mess too.

Nora finally looked over. “Lena, are you okay?”

I said, “Fine.”

Ethan let out a breath. “Good. When they bring out the cake, don’t make that face.”

The cake rolled out. I read the inscription.

Not “Happy Birthday, Lena.”

It said, “Seven Years Together—Thank You.”

Beside it stood two fondant figures. One in black, one in green. A third figure in a white dress was shoved to the edge, face turned out—like an extra decoration nobody wanted.

Nora took the knife and handed it to me. “Lena, you cut first.”

Someone in the crowd called out, “Miss Vance is so lucky! Her fiancé and best friend throwing a party together for her—who else gets that?”

I gripped the handle.

Nora leaned in close. “Lena. Don’t get upset. Ethan invited important people today.”

I asked, “More important than my birthday?”

Nora’s smile didn’t waver. “You’ve always been the mature one.”

I put the knife back in her hand. “I’m not cutting it.”

Ethan’s face finally dropped. “Lena.”

I looked at him. “Your cake. You cut it.”

Whispers rippled through the banquet hall. Ethan kept his voice low. “Don’t embarrass me here.”

I asked, “Embarrass who?”

He glanced around. “Me.”

Nora came toward me, reaching for my hand. I pulled away. Her hand fell empty, her face paling.

The women around her jumped in. “Miss Vance, Nora’s been running around for you all day. If you can’t appreciate that, at least don’t humiliate her.”

“Seriously. Mr. Sterling isn’t that broke student anymore. You keep throwing your tantrums, you think he won’t get tired of you?”

Ethan didn’t stop them. He just watched me—like he was waiting for me to fold.

I laughed. “Oh, so you all knew he used to be broke.”

The woman shut up.

Nora rushed in. “Lena, they don’t mean any harm.”

“Do you?”

Her eyes welled up fast. “Why are you asking me that?”

Ethan stepped in front of her. “Enough. Nora hasn’t eaten all day for your birthday.”

I watched him shield her.

Once, at another party, someone had called Nora cheap. I threw a glass of juice all over them. Ethan had pulled me behind him and taken the heat.

Nora had cried then, “Lena, don’t make enemies for me.”

I’d said, “I don’t need your permission to protect you.”

Today she was the one being protected. And I was on the other side.