The Dark Moment

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the penthouse living room, blindingly bright.

Chloe was in the kitchen, making pancakes. She was wearing one of Julian’s dress shirts over her leggings. She was humming. She felt lighter than air.

Julian came out of his bedroom. He looked wrecked. His hair was messy, his eyes shadowed. He looked at Chloe, and a look of profound conflict crossed his face.

He walked over to her. He didn't say anything. He just buried his face in the crook of her neck, his arms wrapping around her waist from behind.

"Morning," Chloe whispered, leaning back into him.

"Morning," he rasped.

The elevator chimed.

They froze.

The doors slid open.

"Surprise! The British were boring, so I came home early!"

Ben Miller strode into the apartment, dragging a garment bag. He dropped it when he saw them.

Julian jerked away from Chloe as if he had been burned. He stumbled back, putting the kitchen island between them.

Ben looked at Chloe, in Julian’s shirt. He looked at Julian, looking guilty as sin.

"What is going on?" Ben asked. His voice wasn't angry yet. It was confused.

"Nothing," Julian said quickly. Too quickly. "Chloe was just... making breakfast."

"In your shirt?" Ben raised an eyebrow. "Julian?"

Julian looked at Ben. He saw his best friend. His oldest ally. The man who got him the job. The man he respected more than anyone.

Panic, cold and sharp, seized Julian’s chest. He retreated to the only defense he knew: the lie.

"She was cold," Julian said, his voice turning crisp, professional. "Look, Ben. It's not what you think. I've just been looking out for her. She's... she's your little sister. It's my job to protect her."

Chloe froze. The spatula in her hand trembled.

"Protect me?" she repeated quietly. "Is that what last night was? Protection?"

Julian couldn't look at her. "Last night was a mistake. We had too much champagne. I let things get out of hand. I apologize."

"You apologize?" Chloe felt the tears pricking her eyes. "Like I'm a client?"

"Chloe," Julian pleaded, looking at the floor. "Please."

Ben looked between them. He saw the heartbreak on his sister’s face. He saw the cowardice on his best friend’s.

"I get it," Chloe said. Her voice broke, but she stood tall. "I'm just the kid sister. I'm just the intern. I'm just a mistake."

She took off the dress shirt, revealing her tank top underneath, and threw it at Julian. It hit him in the chest and slid to the floor.

"I'm going to stay with Sarah from torts class," she said. "I'll pick up my stuff later."

She grabbed her purse and walked past Ben, into the elevator. She didn't look back.

The doors closed, leaving the two men in the silence of the penthouse.

"You're an idiot," Ben said into the quiet.

"I'm loyal," Julian argued, though the words tasted like ash.

"No," Ben shook his head. "You're a coward."

\---