Anthony had invited Bella out for a casual weekend outing with William and Grace. As usual, he treated her like his little sister—teasing her, giving subtle advice, and making sure she was comfortable.
Bella, however, couldn't shake a strange flutter in her chest every time he smiled at her or lightly teased her. She caught herself staring at him more than she should, her heart skipping a beat when their hands brushed.
"Bella, careful with that," Anthony said gently as she reached for her coffee.
"Sorry," she muttered, feeling a warmth creep into her cheeks.
Why was she reacting like this? she wondered. He's just being nice… he's just… Anthony.
But the truth was, she was starting to realize something she didn't like admitting: she might have a crush on him.
Frustrated, Bella tried to hide her feelings behind her usual polite smiles, but every playful tease from Anthony felt like it struck directly at her heart. Treating her like a child? That was starting to feel… unfair.
Later that week, Anthony invited Bella and Grace to a casual gathering at a friend's house. Bella noticed someone she hadn't seen before—a young woman, a year younger than Anthony, confident, and clearly very close to him.
"Hey, Anthony! Glad you could make it," the girl greeted him warmly, giving him a quick hug.
Bella's stomach sank. They seemed… perfect together. Laughing, sharing inside jokes—Anthony looked relaxed in her company, the way he hadn't looked with Bella.
She tried to smile, but a pang of jealousy hit her. Why am I feeling like this? she thought, crossing her arms. I don't like him… I don't…
But deep down, she knew the truth. Her heart sank with a bitter realization: she might already care for him more than she wanted to admit—and seeing him so comfortable with someone else made her uneasy, frustrated, and… a little sad.
Anthony, unaware of the turmoil inside Bella, continued interacting with his friend, making casual jokes and sharing stories. Bella forced herself to join the conversation, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him.