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Chapter 48: Stefan’s Best Friend

"A visitor? Are you expecting someone?" she asked and Stefan shook his head.

Stefan frowned slightly, clearly not expecting anyone. "Who is it?"

"I think you should come and see for yourself, sir," Martin said.

Ruby felt Stefan’s fingers tighten slightly on her waist before he dropped his hands and straightened up.

"Alright," he said, his voice calm even though Ruby could feel the change in the air. "Tell him I’ll be out," he said, thinking it was his uncle since he was the only one that always showed up that way.

"Yes, sir," Martin said before walking away.

Ruby looked at Stefan, searching his face. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

He gave a tight smile. "I guess we’ll find out."

She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Whatever it is, you’re not facing it alone, remember?"

He turned his head toward her, his unseeing eyes somehow still so full of emotion. "I know," he whispered. "Thank you, babe."

Ruby smiled, but inside her stomach twisted with nerves. She hoped that the visitor they’re stepping out to meet wouldn’t bring any problems to them.

Stefan carefully made his way to the drawing room, Ruby walked just behind him, ready to catch him if he needed her to. free we\bnove(l).com

Immediately they stepped in, a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"Well, well, look who’s still handsome as ever," the man joked warmly, making Stefan’s fast beating heart to increase it’s pace but not in horror rather from excitement.

Ruby watched as a tall, broad-shouldered guy with messy brown hair and an easy grin stepped forward. His whole face lit up when he spoke, the kind of guy who could charm a room without trying.

Who was he? She asked herself. Perhaps, this was one of the times she had to be more than alert so she wouldn’t slip. fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)

"Ethan," Stefan said, smiling, his whole body relaxing at the sound. "You finally decided to show up after like forever? Since when have you even been in town?"

"Traffic and life, you know how it is," Ethan said, clapping Stefan’s shoulder. "Missed you, man."

Stefan replied, his voice full

had said he’d be in town two days later after they spoke, Stefan had assumed he wasn’t

hovered awkwardly for a second, not wanting to intrude, especially since she didn’t exactly know

said, looking her over with

warmly, stepping forward and offering her

a moment before recovering and shaking her hand. His grip

doing out of the ordinary? Was he perhaps one of Ivy’s enemies? Or was a handshake not how Ivy used

per cent sure he was Stefan’s best friend so was he looking so confused recieving a warm welcome from her?

laughing a little to cover his

ten minutes since and you think I’m different," she said, hoping he could explain more so she could know the situation of things between him and

and looking all welcoming when we both know we’ve never saw eye to eye. You don’t use to like me, Ivy," Ethan said with a shrug, making Ruby almost blurt out "crap, another slip" but did all she could

continue being that childish me because I figured, you know, that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. So it’s better

looking at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "Right! You’re definitely right," he said with

why I said I grew up a little," she said and then winked at him, making Ethan laugh while also telling himself that he could understand why Stefan had been

at her voice, sensing her mood even without seeing her face. "She’s been amazing," he said proudly, reaching out and finding

squeezed back, her chest tightening in that now-familiar

as he watched them. "Well, I’m glad. Really

little pause, and Ruby took it as her cue. She gently pulled her hand away and smiled at them

to catch up," she said. "It was really nice seeing you

with that slight confusion, like

before quietly making her way back upstairs, giving

Ethan turned back to Stefan,

giving me death stares. But this?" He laughed lowly. "This is like... a whole different person.

couch, his expression peaceful.

it. A real one. If I didn’t know any better, I’d

deep and genuine. "Maybe she just finally realized what she really

something softer. He

he said sincerely, "I’m happy for you. And her. You both deserve a shot at

the truth of those words settle deep in his

the first time in a long time, he

her?" Ethan asked after