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“We’ll get used to it and find our rhythm. Don’t worry.” I crack a smile, hoping that would lighten the mood, but Ethan’s gaze only grows more intense.
“Ethan…”
“I’m used to eating alone,” he blurts out before I can say a word. “I know it sounds crazy to you, but it’s the truth. I live in this big house alone. I do everything alone, and even though it seems like I have people—You, Tom, Grandpops—sometimes it still feels like I’m alone, and I’m used to that.”
“You’re not alone,” I interrupt, moving closer to him again. The magnetic pull is undeniable, and there’s no fighting it at thatmoment. The need to be close to him is greater than ever and I give into it, reaching out to touch his arm and stroke it gently.
He’s still wearing his suit, and it’s a bit damp from his fall in the bathroom, but none of that matters.
He lowers his head, and I scan his expression, taking in the flush on his cheeks. “Thank you, Nelly. For doing this whole fake marriage with me, and for trying to make me feel better.”
“It killed you to say those words to me just now, didn’t it?” I tease with a light laugh, relaxing a little when he laughs with me. “You’ve never been one to apologize.”
“Don’t make it sound like I’m a jerk,” he counters with more laughter, and I tip my head back to let the mirth roll free before sniffing.
“You’re not a jerk. You’re just …” I pause and twist my fingers together before sighing. “You’re just you, Ethan.”
“Yeah,” he dips his hands into his pants pockets. “Just don’t go around doing stuff that’ll make it weirder for us than it already is. I don’t expect you to be here when I get back or make me dinner or breakfast. I don’t expect you to do anything more than what you’ve already done, Nelly.”
I nod in response, and his eyes sweep over me again, and he tilts his head to one side as a smile lifts the corners of his lips.
“Right.” The weight of his words makes my heart sink a little. “I understand perfectly.”
It takes another moment before he backs away. “Goodnight.”
Once he’s out of my bedroom, my knees give way, and I drop onto my bed, scared that my heart will explode from the intensity of its racing. My cheeks burn hot scarlet, and I spread my arms out before taking a deep breath.
Ethan is one hundred percent right. I don’t owe him anything, and I shouldn’t worry about taking care of him. When I woke up this morning and found his fridge empty with only a jar of coffee beans and skimmed milk, I decided to make the place a bit cozier for us.
I went shopping, stocked up the entire house, and prepared dinner because it felt like the right thing to do.
But that doesn’t matter.
The more distance between Ethan and me, the better. I should focus on my company now and the merger, nothing else.
Definitely not these feelings he stirs inside me.
***
Tom is pacing my office when I get there the next afternoon. He’s been in L.A. the entire week with his wife, Robyn, and Istill haven’t had the chance to have dinner with them because playing the part of Ethan’s fake wife keeps me occupied.
We spent the previous evening at a charity function my parents had always partnered with. I haven’t made many public appearances in the months following the accident because of the media craze, but this was the perfect chance to make a statement.
Show that Ethan and I are happy as a couple and still going strong, regardless of what the world might think.
I’ve read a few of the social media comments on our posts, and many don’t believe Ethan’s capable of staying in a marriage. The media’s wild opinions have never been much of a concern to me, anyway.
Right now, Tom’s urgent message to meet him is pressing on my mind.
“You okay?” I ask, after closing the door behind me as he takes off his suit and dumps it on the chair facing mine. “I just got an update on the settlement for the air crash victims.”
“We've been working on that settlement for months, and the amount they're asking for is outrageous. We can't afford to pay it right now, but if we don't, the consequences could be severe. An engine failure caused the crash, and as the manufacturers, we bear the responsibility. I plan to pay the settlement, no matter what it takes.”
Tom is quiet while I explain, and when I turn around to look at him again, he's pale. “Is there a problem? Did something happen with the settlement?”
“No,” he sighs and adjusts his tie. “Ethan came to see me today. He offered to pay the settlement on your behalf, out of his own pocket.”
“What?” The wind is knocked out of my chest and I feel a little faint. “Why would he do that?” I brush a lock of hair out of my face and my head spins for a moment.