Chapter 5 THE OTHER GIRL

It was a Friday night, and Zara was not at the party because she wanted to be.

She was there because Kira had dragged her. Because Kira had said something about getting out of her head, putting on makeup, and wearing the tiny skirt Zara had threatened to burn the moment it entered their shared closet.

Now she was sipping something red and suspiciously sweet from a Solo cup and pretending to enjoy herself while the bass rattled through the floorboards and bodies pressed in too close.

Kira had already vanished with some junior named Drew, leaving Zara leaning against a wall, watching couples grind like the world was ending. She was seconds away from calling a rideshare and escaping when she saw him.

Jace.

Wearing a black t-shirt that fit him a little too well. Talking to someone.

Zara squinted. Then her heart dropped.

Delaney.

The blonde from the library.

Her hand was on his arm. Her laugh way too high. Her red lips too shiny. Jace wasn't even saying much-just nodding, smiling, responding. But he wasn't pulling away. Wasn't moving. Wasn't looking for her.

Zara's stomach twisted.

She didn't even realize she'd moved until she was halfway across the room, like something magnetic had yanked her in his direction. She stopped just behind him, close enough to hear Delaney say, "I've always thought you were kind of mysterious, you know? Quiet, in a sexy way."

Zara almost gagged.

"Hey, Carter," she said, voice sweet and venom-laced.

Jace turned instantly, his eyes widening a little. "Zara."

Delaney looked over her shoulder, clearly displeased. "Hi...?"

Zara smiled. "Sorry to interrupt. I just thought I'd say hi to my best friend."

Jace ran a hand through his hair. "I was just-"

"Flirting?" Zara finished for him, sharp and too loud.

Delaney's brows lifted.

Zara's heart was racing, heat rising to her face. What the hell was she doing?

Jace stepped toward her, his voice low. "Z, chill."

"I am chill."

"You're not chill."

"You're flirting with Delaney," she hissed.

"She started talking to me."

"And you didn't stop her."

"Jesus, Zara. What's your problem?"

The words sliced through her.

She stepped back like he'd struck her.

Jace froze. "Z, I didn't mean-"

"No," she said, forcing a tight smile. "You're right. It's none of my business."

He reached for her arm, but she shook him off. "Enjoy the party, Jace."

And then she walked away-out the door, down the steps, onto the street where cool air slapped her in the face like punishment.

Her phone buzzed in her hand.

Jace: Where are you going?

Jace: Z. Don't be like this.

Jace: I'm coming after you.

She turned her phone off and kept walking.

⸻

The knock came twenty minutes later.

Zara had just kicked off her heels and thrown her phone onto the couch when she heard it. Reluctantly, she opened the door.

Jace stood there, out of breath, his curls windblown from walking fast-or maybe running.

"Zara-"

She turned away and walked back inside. He followed, shutting the door behind him.

"I shouldn't have said that," he said immediately. "I didn't mean it."

She crossed her arms. "Didn't mean what? That I'm a jealous, dramatic bitch?"

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to."

Silence stretched between them.

Jace sighed, stepping closer. "Z, she started the conversation. I didn't even want to be talking to her."

"You weren't exactly sprinting away."

"I didn't even realize you were there."

"Exactly."

His jaw tightened. "What do you want me to say?"

Zara's voice cracked. "I don't know."

"Because if I say what I want to say, I'm scared you'll push me away again."

That stopped her.

Her arms dropped to her sides. "What do you mean again?"

Jace exhaled and ran both hands through his hair. "You act like I'm just your friend. Like I'm your emotional crutch and nothing more. But then you fall asleep on me, or you look at me like you want something more-and I don't know what the hell to do with that."

Zara stared at him.

"You don't get to be jealous and then pretend it doesn't mean anything," he said, voice rough now. "I've been trying to respect your boundaries, but you don't even know where the lines are."

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Because he was right.

She didn't know. She was scared. Confused. And worse-she wanted him. She wanted him.

But she didn't know how to have him without risking everything.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Jace stepped closer. "I'm not mad. I just... I can't keep pretending this doesn't hurt."

Zara's eyes burned.

He was still in front of her, so close they could touch. She looked up at him-at the face that had been her safe place for three years. And now? That same face made her ache.

"I don't know what this is," she said softly.

Jace's voice was barely a whisper. "It's something."

She didn't move. Neither did he.

The moment stretched, pulled taut between them. A breath. A heartbeat. A decision.

But just like always, neither of them crossed the line.

Jace stepped back first. "I should go."

Zara didn't stop him.

She just stood there as the door closed behind him, her heart breaking in a way that had nothing to do with love-and everything to do with fear.