Page 168 of When We Ignite

“No,” I said quickly, then sighed. “Sorry, darling. Maybe I’ll have a drink.”

He exhaled and stood, walking to the bar. He poured me a glass and handed it to me, but when I reached for it, he held on, his gaze steady.

“You can’t get your mind off it, Ash,” he pointed out, before finally letting go.

I drained half the glass in one go and turned away.

“If I can’t distract you like this,” he said, motioning between us, “then why don’t you just tell me about it?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Ethan,” I said tersely, my annoyance flaring. The last thing I needed was a nineteen-year-old lecturing me on how to manage my fucking company.

“It’s not like I think I’ll understand everything, but maybe it’ll help you de-stress.”

I lit a cigarette, taking a long drag. “I’m not stressed.”

Ethan let out a breathless laugh, crossing his arms. “Then what are you?”

“Serious,” I replied flatly, taking another drag.

“Right,” he said, nodding slowly, his disappointment palpable. “Well, maybe I’ll go out for a while by myself.” He stared at me, waiting for a reaction.

I shrugged. “You’re free to do as you like.”

Ethan breathed out sharply, shaking his head. “You’re fucking impossible when you get like this,” he muttered.

“When I get like what, Ethan?” I snapped, my irritation boiling over. “I’m sorry I can’t be all fun and games for you. I have actual responsibilities in life apart from fucking you.”

He froze, his blue eyes widening at my words. The hurt flashed across his face, sharp and unguarded, before his expression hardened. His chin tilted up defiantly, but the sting of regret was already gnawing at me.

“I’m sorry I forgot you’re the mighty Sebastian Langley,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “A simple kid like me could never understand the weight on your shoulders. Funny how you keep deciding what I’m old enough for. Old enough to get your dick in, but not for a simple conversation about your day.”

I clicked my tongue. “I don’t have to talk to you about everything.”

“I’m not asking you to. Right now, all I want is for you to stop being an asshole to me,” he said, stepping closer.

“Right, by lecturing me and giving me empty threats about leaving, hoping I’ll stop you. You wonder why I treat you like a kid? Maybe stop acting like one.”I took a deep breath and stood up, walking toward the bar. “If you want to go out, have at it. I’ll be no fun tonight.”

Ethan’s lips pulled down into a grim line, but he didn’t back down. “Why do you think all I want from you is fun? Just talk to me.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, reading a text from Warren. My father was too busy to take my calls, but he expected my reports by Thursday. I closed my eyes, my temper fraying to its limit.

“You can tell me about it,” Ethan said again, softer this time, but it was the final push I didn’t need.

“I’m not your fucking boyfriend, Ethan,” I snapped, turning toward him. His blue eyes widened in shock. “This is not a fucking relationship. Stop trying to make it into something it’s not. I don’t feel like talking to you about it because that’s not what you’re for.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. Ethan stood there, motionless, his eyes suddenly brighter, his lips parted in stunned silence. His face flushed, and for a moment, he looked like he might speak, but he didn’t.

He turned abruptly, walking to the door, his movements stiff. The door slammed behind him, and the sound echoed in the room, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

I closed my eyes and dragged my hands through my hair. Guilt hit me like a wave, heavy and unrelenting. I shook my head, cursing under my breath, before grabbing the card key and heading after him.

The elevator had already gone, so I chose the stairs instead, my urgency propelling me down each flight. By the time I reached the lobby, I couldn’t spot him anywhere. Panic bloomed in my chest. I approached the doorman who pointed in the direction Ethan had gone. I followed, practically running, until I caught a glimpse of golden hair from the corner of my eye.

I stopped abruptly, my heart sinking at the sight before me. Ethan was crouched in the alley next to the hotel, his face buried in his arms. He looked so small, so hurt, and my chest tightened with guilt.

I stepped closer, crouching in front of him. Gently, I reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. “Ethan.”

He flinched away from my touch. “Leave me alone, Sebastian,” he said, his voice muffled but strained, thick with tears.