Sarah and her cousin were speechless, their
faces turning an interesting shade of green.
They stalked off, muttering.
I grinned, finishing my wine.
Round one to me.
But the main event was yet to come, little sis.
く
11
The party went on.
When the dancing started, Sarah was back.
With a guy in a suit, early twenties, decent-
looking, but a bit doughy.
“Olivia, where’s your date?”
She’d recovered quickly from our last
encounter.
She looked around dramatically, “Oh, did no
one ask you?”
L
one ask you?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll find you someone.”
I stayed silent, watching her performance.
She called over a few guys.
“Olivia, pick one. Be my guest.”
The guys all recoiled. “Ew, no way. She’s
ancient.”
“Seriously, Sarah, even if we’re dateless, you
can’t set us up with a grandma.”
<
SPAC
The last one went full–on drama queen,
clutching his chest, “That’s just insulting.”
I almost laughed.
Sarah was so predictable.
Such childish games.
As the scene wound down, I lit a cigarette,
smiling lazily.
“Don’t fight over me, boys. You’re all so
underwhelming, it hurts my eyes to even look
at you.”
<
at you.”
I wasn’t going to waste my breath on Sarah, but as I took a drag, a voice boomed from
behind me.
“Are you kidding me? I can’t even get a dance with her, and you guys are turning her down?”
Familiar voice.
I didn’t have to turn around.
Ethan.
What was he doing here?
L
My body tensed, then relaxed. I kept smoking.
But…
He was standing in front of me, taking the
cigarette from my hand.
“Bad for you, princess.”
His voice was soft, low.
He took a drag.
He put his hand on my shoulder, glaring at the guys, “I’m in a good mood today, so
scram.”
L
They scrambled.
The room went silent. Ethan’s presence had
that effect.
My dad appeared, with Janet and Sarah, all smiles and fake respect for Ethan.
He was thrilled.
Ethan at his wife’s birthday party? Bragging rights for a month.
Ethan checked my face, then gave my dad a
curt nod.
<
He dismissed my dad, then let go of my
shoulder, biting his lip, silent for a moment. Then, quietly, “I lost it the other day. I’m
sorry.”
“I went to every furniture store in the city and replaced everything I broke. I’ll have it
delivered to your place this afternoon. Okay?”
He peeked at me, cautious, nothing like the arrogant Ethan who terrorized the city.
My chest ached.
I nodded slowly. “Okay. Thank you.”
Ethan relaxed.
My dad, seeing Ethan wasn’t interested in dancing, canceled it.
I’d been tucked away in a corner, but now
everyone was crowding around. Annoyed, I tapped Ethan’s shoulder.
“Since you’re here, want to see a show?”
Ethan always knew what I meant.
He grinned. “Sure. I need a break from
furniture shopping.”
<
He put out his cigarette, then raised his voice,
“It’s Janet’s birthday. Olivia and I have a little
gift for you all.”
The room fell silent.
My dad beamed, thanking him profusely.
Janet smiled, probably cursing me in her head for being the one standing next to Ethan.
A video started playing on the giant screen my dad had insisted on having, showing a slideshow of him and Janet.
Perfect.
<
gift for you all.”
The room fell silent.
My dad beamed, thanking him profusely.
Janet smiled, probably cursing me in her head for being the one standing next to Ethan.
A video started playing on the giant screen my dad had insisted on having, showing a slideshow of him and Janet.
Perfect.
I’d spent two weeks preparing this video. All
facts. No filler.
