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Because I don’t want it to end.

And so, my next question is this… Do you?

Is he saying what I think he’s saying?A warmth rises inside me, and I open a new email to answer him.

The same unsettling déjà vu cloaks me—maybe I’ve had a similar moment in those four lost years of memories.

But I know this—I don’t want whatever we have to end.

“Miss, would you like any refreshments while you wait?” A middle-aged man in a black suit materializes out of nowhere. John, the butler.

I click shut my phone—I’ll have to answer Polaris later. “I’m good, thank you. I’m nervous though.”

He chuckles. “You’ll do great, Ms. Vaughn. I’ve heard wonderful things about you from Mr. Ethan.”

“He’s talked about me?”

John’s smile slips from his face. “It’s the only time he smiles.” He shifts on his feet. “It’s not my place to say anything, but I’ve worked for Mr. Ethan for over ten years in various capacities. He’s a man of a few words, but if you stick around, I promise you, his words will be the most meaningful.”

With that cryptic message, John tips his head and stalks off.

“We’re ready for you, Lexy. You’ll do great!” Sandra winks as she points to the interview set up by the two lounge chairs next to the windows, which let in some of the cold November daylight.

Rex beckons me over from the hallway.

“Break a leg. It might seem strange, having you conduct the interview, but the entire point of this revamp is to draw in the younger generation. And what screams younger than the intern, right?” He winks.

Despite how he resembles his brothers, they can’t be more different. Rex, with his friendly smiles and casually tousled hair, looks like a man you can joke with. Someone who makes you instantly at ease.

The opposite of the closed book Ethan.

“Right. I got this.” I snap the rubber band around my wrist, the flicker of pain grounding me.

“You have my permission to give him hell.” At his joking tone, I glance at him, finding his head cocked to the side. “Although I think nothing you do will be hell for him. I’ve had my suspicions…so did Lana, but damn, was I slow.”

“What do you mean?” Why does it feel like I’m the punchline to a joke everyone already knows?

His gaze softens into something akin to sympathy. “It’s not my place to tell, Lexy. But…keep your mind and your heart open, okay?”

“I don’t—”

“We ready?” The familiar scent of amber and leather reaches my nose before his body heat grazes my back.

Ethan places his hand lightly on my lower back, the gentle touch searing me through my dress. I shiver and glance down, hoping my bra is thick enough to hide the hard nipples, no doubt saluting him.

Calm down, hormones. I thought puberty was over. How is it possible I feel something for both Ethan and Polaris?

Seriously, Lexy.

Ethan frowns at us. “Did I miss anything?”

“No. Just idle chitchat. Let’s do this.”

I stride over to the windows and take a seat, Ethan following suit. Blowing out a breath, I wipe my palms on my dress. The lighting guy adjusts a spotlight, and the cameraman gets into position.

I got this. It’s all about mindset. I’m smart and capable. I’m an asset to any team. If I believe it, I can do it, because—

“Remember, if you believe it, who’s to say it isn’t true?” Ethan murmurs.