Page 134 of When We Ignite

I still scowled. Ethan slipped out of my arms.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I need you for a minute,” Henry said to me.

“I’m going back to my friends. See you later,” Ethan said and walked out, giving me a smirk before he did.

I shook my head at him.

“You’re still doing it,” Henry said after he left.

“What?”

“Treating him like he’s your boyfriend,” Henry used a singsong voice.

I rolled my eyes.“Fuck off. What is it?”

He sat on the couch.“You have a situation on your hands.”

“What?”

“Chris is here.”

I looked at him.“So what?”

“So, your regular fuck boy is around looking for you while your boyfriend is here. You know Ethan gets a little crazy around competition.”

Fuck, but he was right about that.“Ethan doesn’t know Chris. It’s fine,” I argued.

“Do you remember the video?”

Double fuck.

“I’ll keep him under control,” I said with a shrug.

“With your amazing telepathic abilities? You can’t get close to him. I told you the press is here,” Henry insisted. “Just leave with him.”

“Ethan doesn’t want to leave.”

Henry nodded, looking around before shrugging one shoulder.“Well, then, let’s go face the fuckfest, shall we?” he said with a grin.

I stayed out on the balcony, trying to keep my focus anywhere but on Ethan. Henry occasionally sent over a waiter with drinks, and I obliged, sipping slowly as I watched the city lights. A few times, I had to step away for photos with Henry, but apart from that, I kept to myself, lingering in the shadows. Ethan glanced at me every so often, catching my eye with a small smile. I tipped my head subtly, signaling for us to leave, but he only shook his head, taking another sip of his drink, clearly enjoying himself.

It wasn’t long before the peaceful observation was interrupted.

“Hey, stranger. What are you doing holed up out here?” A familiar voice reached my ears, and I turned to see Chris walking toward me with his signature flirty grin, and a drink in hand. Damn it.

“Hey, babe,” I greeted automatically, and his grin widened as he stepped closer to kiss my cheek.

“I didn’t know you were in town,” he said, leaning casually on the railing beside me, squarely in view of Ethan.

“Just got here.”

“And you didn’t give me a call? You’ve been off the grid for weeks,” Chris said, running his tongue over his lip as he moved closer.

I took a deliberate step back. “Work’s been crazy.”

“Work’s always crazy for you.”