Chapter 2

The Northwood University orientation week was a blur of welcome speeches, campus tours, and forced socializing. Ava tried to blend in, a ghost in jeans and a plain t-shirt amidst a sea of logo-emblazoned confidence.

The Vances hosted a "welcome to the neighborhood" slash "Isabelle' s pre-semester kickoff" barbecue. Ava had tried to decline.

"Nonsense, dear," Brenda had said, her smile tight. "You're part of the family now. It' s important to make an appearance."

Important for whom, Ava wondered.

The backyard was a sea of polo shirts and sundresses. Laughter and the clink of glasses filled the air. Ava clutched a plastic cup of lemonade, feeling like an exhibit.

Isabelle, holding court by the pool, pointed Ava out to a group of her friends. Whispers and giggles followed. Ava' s cheeks burned.

She spotted a quiet corner near a large oak tree and retreated.

"Hiding?"

Ava jumped. A tall guy in a crisp white shirt and dark pants stood there. He had short, neat hair and serious eyes. He looked older, more put-together than the other students.

"Just… getting some air," Ava mumbled.

"Captain Ethan Carter," he introduced himself, his voice deep and formal. He didn't offer a hand. "You must be Ava."

"Yes. Nice to meet you." She tried a small smile. It felt wobbly.

Ethan' s gaze was intense, analytical. "Brenda mentioned you were… joining the family." He said "joining" like it was a military enlistment.

"That's right."

Isabelle chose that moment to saunter over, a proprietary hand on Ethan' s arm. "Ethan, darling! There you are. I was looking all over for you."

Her smile for him was dazzling. For Ava, it was a dismissive glance.

"This is my stepsister, Ava," Isabelle said, her tone suggesting something unfortunate, like a stray cat they' d taken in. "She' s a transfer. Still finding her feet."

Ava felt a prickle of annoyance. "I think I can manage to stand on my own, thanks."

Ethan' s eyebrow twitched.

Isabelle laughed, a tinkling sound. "Oh, Ava, so sensitive. She' s just a bit overwhelmed, Ethan. Small town girl, you know."

Ava' s lemonade suddenly felt too sweet, too sticky. "Actually, I' m from LA. Just a different part of it."

"Right," Isabelle said, patting Ethan' s arm again. "Well, we should mingle. So many people want to talk to you, Ethan."

She steered him away, leaving Ava standing alone again, feeling like a fool.

Ethan glanced back once, his expression unreadable, before Isabelle pulled his attention fully.

Later, Ava overheard Isabelle talking to him near the buffet table.

"...no real ambition, I think," Isabelle was saying, her voice carrying. "Just sort of drifting. And a bit… clumsy. You saw her earlier, nearly tripped over her own feet."

Ava hadn't tripped. She'd sidestepped a running child.

Ethan listened, his face impassive. He didn't defend Ava. He didn't even look her way.

He probably believed every word. Reserved ROTC Captain. Values integrity, honor. And Isabelle was painting her as a ditzy, aimless freeloader.

Great. Just great.

Ava dumped her lemonade in a potted plant and went inside, the manufactured cheer of the party grating on her nerves. Her first encounter with the respected Captain Ethan Carter was a disaster.