The book she never read "An Open Book"

Ethan Cole had a terrible habit. Not drinking. Not gambling. Not cheating. He told the truth. Too much of it. If he liked a woman, she'd know before the appetizer arrived. "I'd spoil you." "I'd open your car door every day." "I'd pray with you." "I'd buy you flowers just because it's Tuesday." "If we're together, you'll never wonder where I am." "I don't believe in wasting time. If I choose you, I'm already thinking about marriage." Most men called him crazy. Women called him... "A breath of fresh air." Until they disappeared. His friends laughed. "You keep interviewing for husband before you've even become the boyfriend." "I don't play games," Ethan always answered. "No," his best friend Noah replied. "You skip the game and hand them the championship trophy." It happened again. Ashley. Three amazing dates. Hours of conversation. Late night phone calls. She smiled every time he described future vacations. The little café he'd one day own. The house with the wraparound porch. How he'd cook breakfast every Sunday. She looked at him like he was poetry. Then... Nothing. No explanation. Blocked. Ghosted. Then came Brianna. Same movie. Different actress. She loved hearing about the future. Loved hearing how she'd never have to question his loyalty. Loved hearing his dreams. Then... "I'm not emotionally ready." Gone. Then Kayla. Then Denise. Then Mia. Every woman left with a different excuse... ...but the same ending. He couldn't understand it. "I'm literally giving them everything they say they want." His mother sighed over coffee one morning. "No..." "They're hearing everything you would become before they've experienced who you already are." He didn't understand. Not yet. By thirty four... Ethan had become exhausted. He wasn't angry. He wasn't bitter. He was confused. How could honesty lose every time? Then... He met Ava. She laughed with her whole body. Never checked her phone during dinner. Remembered tiny details. She asked about his childhood. His favorite song. His fears. Not just his accomplishments. For the first time... He believed. "This is different." So... He made the same mistake. "I've already imagined taking care of you." "I'd protect your peace." "I'd help your parents if they ever needed anything." "I've always dreamed about having daughters." "I'd never stop dating my wife." He smiled. "I know it sounds crazy..." "...but I think I could love you forever." Ava smiled. Reached across the table. Held his hand. "I know." Three weeks later... She vanished. No argument. No cheating. No misunderstanding. No goodbye. Just... Gone. Blocked everywhere. As if he'd never existed. That night... Ethan sat alone in his apartment staring at dozens of unopened photo albums he'd bought for a future family that didn't exist. He cried harder than he ever had. Not because Ava left. Because he realized... He kept giving pieces of a future... to people who hadn't even proven they'd stay for the present. For the first time... Silence taught him something words never could. He whispered to himself... "Maybe..." "...I've been introducing Chapter Twenty before anyone even finishes Chapter One." And for the first time in his life... He closed the book. Not forever. Just... Until someone earned the next page.