𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑴𝑬𝑹 || 18+

Chapter 4

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Hey, I'm not going to play this with you, Willa!" Nate finally snapped, glaring at her friend with her hands on her hips.

From her bed, Willa groaned, her face half-buried under the duvet as she peered at Nate with sleepy eyes. "I don't like morning walks, please. Can't I just sleep?"

"Willa, it's my brother's advice to go on a walk every day," Nate said, trying to sound as patient as possible. "He's a psychologist, remember? He knows what he's talking about, especially when it comes to routines."

Willa let out a dramatic sigh, faking a cry. "I'm tired, Nate. Let me sleep just a little longer."

Nate finally relented with a defeated sigh. "Fine. You're impossible," she muttered, turning to leave, accepting that Willa wasn't budging.

As Nate's footsteps faded down the hallway, Willa let out a triumphant smile, snuggling back under her duvet with a contented sigh. She closed her eyes, ready to drift back into sleep.

One... two... three...

Suddenly, she felt herself lifted from the bed, strong arms wrapping around her as she was pulled from her cocoon of blankets. She let out a startled scream.

"Aaahhhhhh!"

As her eyes shot open, she found herself staring up at Ethan's face, his brows knitted in irritation as he held her firmly in his arms.

"Ethan!" she gasped, a mix of shock and embarrassment coloring her face.

Ethan's frown deepened as he looked down at her, clearly unimpressed. "You're getting lazier every day," he said, his tone a mix of annoyance and amusement.

She rolled her eyes, her face turning red as she squirmed to get free. "Whatever," she huffed, trying to shake off the flustered feeling from being caught off guard.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, finally setting her down but not without a playful smirk. "If you're not going to get up on your own, I'll make sure you do. I'm not letting you turn into a hermit on my watch."

Willa crossed her arms, still pouting. "Fine, I'll get up," she grumbled.

He chuckled, brushing it off. "Next time, get up on your own, and I won't have to."

As he turned to leave, Willa watched him with a irritation.

---

All three of them were jogging through the park, the morning air crisp and cool around them. After a few laps, Willa slowed to a stop, hands on her knees as she panted heavily.

"Ahhh... I-I can't," she huffed, struggling to catch her breath.

Nate and Ethan stopped, turning to look at her. Ethan raised an eyebrow. "See? You need a good amount of exercise. A little cardio won't hurt," he said, smirking.

Willa groaned, dropping down onto the grass, clutching her stomach. "Huff... Ethan, you go ahead with Nate. Please. I'm completely out of breath."

Nate sighed and sat down beside her. "Alright, I'll stay here with you. Ethan, you can keep going."

Ethan looked between them, shaking his head with a playful grin. "I can't with you girls," he muttered, rolling his eyes as he plopped down beside them on the grass.

They sat there in silence for a moment, catching their breaths, watching the other joggers pass by. Willa stretched out her legs, leaning back on her hands, while Ethan leaned in, nudging her shoulder.

Just then, Nate's phone buzzed, and she glanced down at the screen. "Oh, it's my client," she muttered, her face turning serious. She turned to the other two. "Hey, should we head home, or are you planning on sitting here for a while?"

"Why?" Willa asked, tilting her head curiously.

Nate sighed, already getting to her feet. "I have to get back to meet them. It's a tight deadline, and I need to rush home to make it."

"Go ahead, we'll hang out for a bit," Ethan replied.

"Alright, guys, catch you later," Nate said, giving them a quick wave before jogging out of the park, her determined pace signaling she was already mentally diving into work mode.

As she disappeared from view, Willa chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Haha, grown-up woman," she teased, glancing at Ethan with a grin.

Ethan smiled, watching Nate's retreating figure. "Yeah, she's definitely grown up."

There was a pause, the park quiet as they sat there, just the two of them. Willa looked up at Ethan, a slight smile still on her face. "Sometimes I forget how much we've all changed," she said softly.

Ethan nodded, his gaze steady on her. "Yeah... but some things haven't changed at all." He looked at her, his usual teasing tone replaced by something warmer, a glint of something unsaid flickering in his eyes.

Willa noticed it. She quickly looked away, pulling a blade of grass and twirling it between her fingers, trying to shake off the sudden tension she felt between them. "We should get going too," she murmured, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt.

He nodded, standing up and offering her a hand.

------

Ethan stood in front of the mirror, buttoning up his shirt, then reaching for his cologne and spritzing a bit over his collar. He took a deep breath, feeling the crisp scent settle. As he smoothed his shirt, his gaze drifted to his phone lying on the dresser. Picking it up, he opened his gallery, pausing on a photo he often found himself looking at—a candid shot of Nate and Willa together, both laughing, arms around each other. Nate, his sister, was grinning broadly, her hand resting on Willa’s shoulder. They were both wearing matching white dresses, and he could see the genuine happiness shining in Willa’s eyes.

A soft smile touched his lips. This was his family—his only family. Nate and Willa were his world, his anchors, and, if he was honest with himself, his weaknesses. He’d always cared for Nate as any brother would, but his feelings for Willa went beyond that. She’d been the one constant in his life, and somehow, without realizing when or how, he’d fallen deeply for her.

He closed his eyes, letting his mind drift back to the first day they’d met, just two years ago. Nate had introduced her, Willa stepping shyly into their house with that knee-length, emerald green dress and her shoulder-length brown hair framing her face. She looked nervous yet determined, her wide eyes taking in everything around her.

“Ethan, meet Willa,” Nate had said, her voice full of excitement. “She’s going to be living with us now, just like I told you.”

Ethan had smiled softly, reaching out a hand. “Hi, I’m—”

But Willa had cut him off with a bright smile, her eyes meeting his directly. “Ethan, I know! Nate’s told me all about you.” Her warmth and openness had caught him off guard.

There had been something magnetic about her from the very beginning. He’d been polite, keeping his distance at first, but that was before he realized how easily she fit into their lives. Each day brought them closer, whether it was quick breakfasts they’d share or the late-night chats in the living room when they couldn’t sleep. Her quirks, her laughter, her soft hums as she read—all of it had worked its way into his heart, making it impossible not to love her.

He opened his eyes and glanced at the photo again. She didn’t know how he felt, and he’d kept it to himself, fearing what his confession might change. Willa’s happiness was all that mattered, even if it meant hiding his own feelings.

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😗

So so so , do you know what's coming!!!!???

Ofcourse no !

Find out in the next chapter 🙈

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A Damn handsome guy will sleep with you !!!