Chapter 3
Anna
I should’ve known Ethan’s dinner invite came with strings attached.
But I was too busy debugging a project that refused to cooperate—and too irritated with him for raiding my fridge yet again—to question it. When he said, Dinner’s on me, I figured it was his way of making up for eating the last of my dumplings.
Turns out, I should’ve asked a few more questions. Like who else was on the guest list.
Now Joel freaking Price is sitting across from me, smirking like he owns the place, and I’m two seconds away from shoving my chopsticks up his nose.
“So, Anna,” Joel says, his tone casual and infuriatingly smug. “Still coding your life away, or did you finally decide to join the rest of us in the real world?”
I stab at my rice, glaring at him over the rim of my bowl. “Still coding,” I say tightly. “Some of us like to use our brains for a living.”
Joel leans back in his chair, unfazed. “Hey, I use my brain. It takes real effort to deal with people who think they’re superior to everyone else.”
I blink, caught off guard for half a second before snapping back. “Funny. I didn’t realize playing guitar for drunk twenty-somethings required critical thinking skills.”
Ethan laughs into his beer, clearly enjoying this way too much. “Alright, alright. Let’s keep it civil, kids. Anna, pass the kimchi.”
I shove the dish toward him with more force than necessary, the plate scraping against the table.
“You two haven’t changed a bit,” Tessa says from her seat beside Ethan, her tone light and teasing. “It’s almost nostalgic.”
“Not the word I’d use,” I mutter, earning a low chuckle from Joel.
Tessa shifts her focus to Mina, who’s babbling happily in her highchair, her tiny hands smacking against the tray as she grins at nothing in particular.
Mina’s laugh breaks through my annoyance like a little ray of sunshine, and I can’t help but soften as I reach over to tickle her chubby hand. “Hey, Mina Bean. Are you causing trouble for your mom and dad yet?”
Mina squeals in response, kicking her legs and flashing a gummy smile that makes my heart melt despite my sour mood. She grabs my finger with surprising strength, her tiny fingers curling tightly around it.
“She’s practicing her villain laugh,” Ethan says, nudging Tessa with his elbow. “Pretty sure she’s plotting something.”
“She gets that from you, Anna” Tessa shoots back with a smirk, wiping some sweet potato puree from Mina’s cheek. “Pretty sure she’s planning on waking up at two in the morning again.”
“Smart girl,” I say, smiling at Mina as she gurgles something unintelligible, then lets out another squeal. I tap her nose gently, earning a delighted giggle that makes the corner of my mouth twitch upward despite the company.
“See?” Tessa says, tilting her head at me. “Mina loves you. You can’t be mad when she’s around.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Mina is a delight. Don’t think that means I’m giving anyone else a free pass.”
Joel snorts softly, drawing my attention back to him. “Glad to know I’m not even competing with the baby.”
“You’d lose,” I shoot back, the warmth I felt with Mina quickly replaced by irritation.
Joel raises his glass, clearly enjoying himself, which is annoying. “Wouldn’t dream of trying.”
Mina babbles again, kicking her legs as if to emphasize the point. I glance back at her, my finger still captured in her little hand, and decide she’s the only reason I’m still sitting at this table.
“So,” Joel says, setting his chopsticks down with deliberate ease, “where’s a guy supposed to stay in town these days? Mina took over my old crash pad, and I’m running out of options.”
Panic flashes across Tessa’s face, just for a second, before her gaze locks on mine.
“No,” I say immediately, furiously shaking my head. “Don’t even—”
But Tessa’s already smiling, that too-sweet look that means trouble. “Anna has a spare room she never uses. It’s perfect.”
Joel’s eyebrows lift, and he turns to me, his eyes wide. At least he has the good sense to show a little panic, too.
“Tessa,” I snap, my voice tight with warning.
“What?” she says, shrugging innocently. “You’re always saying how quiet it is living alone. A little company might be nice.”
“Company?” I repeat, incredulous. “We’re talking about that, not a lost puppy.”
“Hey,” Joel says, raising his hands in mock offense. “I’m right here, you know.”
I mimic playing a violin.
Ethan, who’s been suspiciously quiet, finally chimes in. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Joel’s practically family, and you’ve got the space.”
“Practically family?” I glare at him. “Last I checked, we weren’t related.”
“Close enough,” Ethan says with a shrug. “And you know how Mom and Dad raised us. Family helps family.”
I groan, rubbing my temples. “This isn’t a family emergency, Ethan. It’s Joel being Joel. Besides, he can find a hotel. There’s plenty of them in Duluth.”
“Come on, Anna,” Tessa says, her tone dripping with false innocence. “It’s just for a little while. He’s not staying in Duluth forever. Right, Joel?”
“Right,” Joel says smoothly, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. “I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome. And I can pay—you know, rent.”
“You’re not staying at all!” I snap, my chopsticks frozen midair.
What is his deal, anyway? He has to know this will be uncomfortable for both of us, but there he is, grinning like he’s just won the lottery. Is he trying to make me miserable, or is he really out of options?
Knowing Joel, it’s probably both.
“Why not?” Ethan asks, giving me that annoyingly reasonable big-brother look. “Like Tess said, it’s not like you’re using the room.”
“Because,” I say, scrambling for an excuse, “he’ll ruin the vibe!”
Joel raises an eyebrow, his grin bordering on wicked. “Ruin the vibe? That’s harsh, even for you, Chang.”
“I’m serious,” I hiss. “You’re not staying with me.”
Ethan sighs dramatically, leaning back in his chair. “Anna, you’re being ridiculous. Where’s your sense of hospitality? Do I have to call Mom?”
“I don’t think hospitality applies to freeloaders,” I snap, shooting a pointed glare at Joel. “And you wouldn’t dare bring Mom into this.”
Ethan makes a face that dares me to question him, and I clench my fists under the table.
“Anna,” Tessa says, her voice calm but firm, “you’re not being fair. Joel’s just asking for a little help, and you’re acting like it’s the end of the world.” She pauses, glancing at Mina with a knowing smile. “It’s not like he’s asking you to share your dumplings.”
Joel snorts, his grin widening, and I narrow my eyes at him.
“Don’t encourage him,” I mutter, stabbing my chopsticks into my rice.
Joel raises his hands, the picture of faux innocence. “Hey, I said I’d pay rent. That’s hardly freeloading.”
“You couldn’t pay me enough to deal with you,” I fire back, the heat in my voice rising.
“Come on, Anna,” Tessa cuts in, her tone infuriatingly calm. “It’s just for a couple of weeks. You’re always saying how quiet it is living alone. It might actually be nice to have someone around.”
I whip my head toward her, my jaw dropping. “Did you just say Joel would be nice to have around? Have you met him?”
Joel smirks, leaning forward on his elbows. “Careful, Ace. That almost sounded like a compliment.”
“It wasn’t,” I snap, glaring at him. “And don’t call me that.”
Mina lets out a happy squeal, slapping the tray of her highchair with both hands. The noise breaks the tension for a brief moment, and I look at her, desperate for a distraction.
“You see?” Ethan says, gesturing toward Mina with a grin. “Even the baby thinks it’s a good idea.”
“Do not drag Mina into this,” I spit back.
“Anna, seriously,” Tessa says, leaning forward with that annoyingly reasonable look she always gets when she’s about to corner me. “You’re making this a bigger deal than it needs to be.”
“It’ll feel like forever,” I groan, looking at the ceiling as I feel my resolve slipping. I’m fighting a losing battle and I know it.
Joel tilts his head, his grin softening just enough to throw me off. “Look, I get it. I’m not exactly your favorite person. But I’ll stay out of your way. Promise.”
I snort. “That’s rich, coming from the guy who can’t go five minutes without making a snarky comment.”
“Who, me?” Joel asks, his eyes wide with mock innocence.
“Yes, you,” I snap.
“I think you might have us confused,” Joel says, scrunching his face slightly.
I raise my chopsticks and point them at him like a knife.
Ethan cuts in, his tone turning more serious. “Anna. Be reasonable. You know what Mom and Dad would say.”
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “I hate when you do that.”
“It’s true, though,” Ethan says, his grin returning. “Besides, you’re great at laying down rules. Just give him a list of things he’s not allowed to do, and you’ll be fine.”
“A list?” Joel says, his tone bordering on amused disbelief. “What am I, a five-year-old?”
“You’d be lucky to qualify as a five-year-old,” I mutter.
Tessa smiles, her voice softening just enough to drive the knife deeper. “Anna, you can totally handle him. We believe in you.”
I stare at both of them, my frustration simmering just under the surface. They’ve got me boxed in, and they know it. If I say no, I’m the unreasonable one—the bad sibling who can’t even spare a room for “family.”
But if I say yes…
I look at Joel, who’s watching me with that infuriating mix of amusement and challenge, like he knows exactly what’s going through my head.
The problem isn’t just that Joel is smug, or that he has a knack for irritating me like no one else. The problem is that letting him stay means no escaping him—not his voice, not his smirk, and definitely not the memories I’ve been working so hard to bury.
“Fine,” I snap, slamming my chopsticks onto the table. “But there will be rules.”
Joel raises an eyebrow. “Rules? I’m shocked.”
“Yes, rules,” I say, my voice sharp. “No loud music, no touching my stuff, and no bringing random people over. Got it?”
“Crystal clear,” Joel says, his grin widening. “Anything else, boss?”
“Yeah,” I say, pointing a finger at him. “Don’t talk to me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Got it,” Joel says, raising his beer in a mock toast. “This is going to be fun.”
“Fun isn’t the word I’d use,” I mutter, glaring at him.
Across the table, Ethan and Tessa exchange a look, their expressions equal parts amused and triumphant. I resist the urge to throw my rice at them. Though I do imagine it a few times for good measure.
Joel leans back in his chair, looking far too comfortable for my liking. “Thanks for the hospitality, Ace. I’ll try not to ruin the vibe.”
“You’re already ruining it,” I snap, stabbing at my rice with unnecessary force. “And don’t call me that.” I repeat.
Mina lets out another happy squeal, breaking the tension just enough for everyone to laugh. Everyone except me.
I shove another bite of rice into my mouth, chewing harder than necessary to keep from saying something that’ll start World War III. Joel sits there, grinning like he’s always been part of this family—like he belongs here more than I do.
And maybe that’s the worst part. It’s not just that Joel’s easy confidence gets under my skin—it’s that he makes me feel like I don’t fit in my own family. Like somehow, he’s the better version of belonging, and I’m the one trying too hard.
It’s infuriating.
A small, traitorous voice whispers that maybe I am being unreasonable. That maybe Ethan’s right, and I should just get over myself. It’s just a couple of weeks.
But no. I’m not the problem here. Joel’s the one who walked back into my life, all charm and smirks, like he doesn’t have a history of fucking me over.
And now I have to spend the next few weeks pretending it doesn’t bother me that the enemy is living in my damn house.
Joel raises his beer in another mock toast, and my glare sharpens. For a second, his grin flickers—so fast I’m not sure if I imagined it. But the moment passes, and Joel raises his beer like he’s already won.
This is going to be a disaster. For him.