13. Ethan

thirteen

Fuck .

I crossed my legs and watched Evie bow slightly before hurrying out of the office.

Irritation filled me when I turned to my sister. Blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair, and attractive to other guys who weren”t me, Gwendolyn stood unmoving before me.

She raised her brows. Then quirked her lips slightly. I couldn”t tell if she knew what Evie and I had just done or if she was being her usual quirky self.

“What?” I scoffed, not in the mood for anything.

“That”s definitely not the first thing I expected you to say after two years of not seeing your baby sister.”

That”s what I”d say when you interrupted a critical… an irrational moment. Fuck. Only Evie could get me from angry to horny in seconds.

I met my sister’s amused stare with a dry one. “You”ve been living life in Australia. Forgive me for not thinking you’d appear out of nowhere on a random morning.”

Perhaps her appearance was a good thing? It stopped me from making a mistake.

She tilted her head. “Your humor has improved too.”

Typical Gwen.

“Cut it, Gwendolyn.”

“Call me Gwen.” She smirked.

“Cut it, Gwen.”

“Beg me.”

I frowned. “Aren’t you like thirty or what?”

“Thirty-five”

“Stop being childish.”

She shrugged before plopping down on the chair opposite mine. “I miss this.”

“I don’t.”

She eyed me. “I didn”t say I miss you.”

“That”s not what I-”

Filling my lungs with much-needed breath, I shook my head.

This was Gwendolyn, the youngest. I was the first, followed by Henry, a fashion designer, and Gwen. My relationship with my siblings was strained, but at least with Harry, it was a mature understanding. Gwen was a wild card. And I didn’t like not knowing what to expect from her.

It was just the four of us, including Mother. Father had passed away.

Gwen had fallen in love with an Australian and moved there a year before I got married. Six years ago.

“Where”s Noah?”

Noah was her three-year-old son.

“With his father and the nanny. I couldn”t bring him along.”

That meant she wouldn”t be in America for long. I eyed her again. Her hair seemed to have grown longer. She still looked young, but an aura around her screamed mature and powerful.

I hadn”t seen her in three years. Since she left New York, she’d only visited once— when the incident with Sophie happened.

After that, our only form of communication was by phone. Despite being the managing director of her husband’s prestigious investment firm, she often called — to check up on Sophie and me. I wondered why she didn’t call now.

“Why are you in New York?”

“Because I can be here?”

When I frowned, she raised her hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. I”m here because of my interest.”

“Children’s mental health advocacy?”

She smiled. “What else?”

Her smile was warm, and it touched something in my chest. She’d picked up that interest after Sophie’s incident. She was determined to help children all over the world.

“It”s a gala, and I”ve been planning this since forever.” She gestured dramatically. “After a successful one in Australia, I decided to organize one here. I’ve identified a strong interest and support for the cause in New York. So, I want to tap into that and expand the reach of my cause.”

I nodded. Charity.

“It”s going to be a fundraising event. Trust me, we’ve gathered funds from…” She paused when I arched a brow. We?

She seemed to understand. “Duh. It”s been two years. Don”t tell me you think I don”t have sponsors and I”m the only one in this.”

“… like I was saying.” She adjusted herself and clasped her palms before her.

From the glint in her eyes, I could tell she was happier. She’d been unsure of her step when she traveled. But I’d supported her and her husband financially. Just like how I did to the rest of my family.

She seemed content with her life. Husband, kids, interest, and job.

“We’ve gathered funds from sponsors, my connections, and other sources. This fundraising event is the final step.”

There was a hint of pride in her eyes. I was proud of her, too.

“Okay.”

She didn”t need to. But her dramatic self twisted her neck at an odd angle to glare at me. “Okay?”

I tightened my jaw in confusion.

“I said all these things, and the only thing you have to say is okay?”

Straightening her neck, she leaned against the chair. Then folded her arms below her chest. “You really haven”t changed much. You didn”t even grow a beard.”

I grunted. “There”s something called shaving, Gwendolyn. Isn”t that available in Australia?”

She puckered her lips before narrowing her eyes. “I repeat, your humor has improved. Who’s teaching you? Is it the woman—”

“Shouldn”t you be at your hotel?” I quickly interrupted.

“I arrived very early this morning. I”m a bit well rested.” She glanced around the office.

“I still don”t see why you”re here.”

“Don”t be rude, now, big brother. Of course, I came here to give you a few days” notice.” The eye roll was evident in her voice.

“For?”

When she stared at me without words, I brought my hands to my temples. “Gwendolyn be–”

“I hate it when you say my full name.”

I gave a dry look. “I always say your full name.”

A small grin curved her lips. “I hate it every time you say my full name.”

Fuck. She was the only human on earth that could drive me insane. Make that two.

“Of course, it”s a few days’ notice so you can attend the—”

“No.”

“No?” she furrowed her brows.

I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“Why?”

“Drop it,” I grunted.

She scoffed. “Say, please.”

Jesus Christ.

“Are you saying you won”t honor my visit and grace the venue with your presence? It”s for a good cause, you know.”

It was for children like Sophie. She could have said that, but she didn”t. I didn”t miss how she refrained from speaking about her. She knew how hurt I still was… she was treading carefully.

“Plus, think of the good PR it gives your company. Think of–”

“That”s enough.” I was suddenly drained.

“So you”ll come?”

“I”ll think about it. You should get more rest.”

I watched her eyes light up, along with her grin. She shot me a wink. “Just for today.”

In seconds, she was up and out the door. Heaving a sigh, I brought my hands to my hair. Then, I uncrossed my legs.

All prior emotions had vanished, leaving the familiar sense of guilt in its place.

I”d done it once again despite promising myself that I wouldn’t. I let myself get carried away in the moment. Her soft fingers… how soft she felt sitting on my lap. Shit. I”d betrayed my friend. But this time… the strain was less.

Perhaps because I was already used to it— the guilt. Or I was beginning to play a dangerous game.

Whatever it was, I knew I’d need another visit to Dr. Amelia soon.

After the thought, I plunged myself into work. Once the clock ticked five o’clock in the evening, I closed my system for the day. Grabbing my keys, I hurried out the door. I didn’t want to miss my daughter’s bedtime.

The elevator descended to the ground floor. Just as I took a step out, something—someone-- collided against my chest.

“I”m sorry, sir.” She bowed continuously, her voice shaky as she did so.

Short brown hair framed the side of her face… a little too much. Aside from the thin curve of sharp jaws, I could barely see her face. But her warm brown eyes were still visible through the glasses.

She raised her head to glance at me for a few seconds. I narrowed my eyes when they met with hers. Something about the eyes seemed… vaguely familiar?

“Good night, sir.” She turned around, clutched her bag tighter, and hurried towards the entrance.

I paused, watching the jump in her steps as she walked out.

Shaking my head, I dropped my hands into my pockets and made my way outside. It was a common occurrence, judging the number of people I”d met in my lifetime.

I reached my Aston Martin DB12 before settling against the plush leather.

Slowly, I revved out of the lot and turned into the road with just one thought in mind. What the fuck was I doing?