My Ex Girlfriend s Sister

The sounds of New York City buzzed all around me as I left the coffee shop. I held my hot cappuccino close. The January cold cut through my coat, but the warmth from my drink made it bearable. I couldn't stop to enjoy it. I was busy at Foster & Co., a big ad agency in Manhattan. I needed to work hard to prove myself after getting a promotion.

"Ethan! Wait up!" My buddy, Michael, was rushing to catch up. His scarf danced in the wind. "You left the files on your desk again."

I sighed and took the folder he handed me. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."

"You owe me more than just coffee," Michael joked, flashing his trademark grin. "Any plans for the weekend? Or is it all about work?"

Just as I was about to answer, I heard a familiar voice. A voice I hadn't heard in three years.

"Ethan King?"

My heart raced. I turned slowly. There she was. Madison Harper was right in front of me, her chestnut curls blowing in the wind. She'd been my everything once, and she had broken my heart in the worst way.

"Madison," I said, almost in a whisper. Saying her name felt heavy.

She looked even better than I remembered. Time had done her favors. Yet, I knew better than to get lost in her charm again. Not after what had happened between us.

"Wow," she said, stepping closer. "It's really you! For a minute, I thought I was imagining it." Her light tone didn't match the storm inside me.

Michael picked up on the tension. He gave me a quick nod and made a graceful exit.

"What are you doing here, Madison?" I asked, sharper than I meant to.

She raised an eyebrow, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's a public street, Ethan. I can walk here, can't I?"

"I mean why are you in my part of town?" I tightened my grip on my coffee cup. Memories rushed back-the fights, the lying, the pain.

Madison took a breath, her smile fading. "I'm here for work. It's just a short project. I didn't think I'd run into you so fast."