6. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

ETHAN

W e get back to the hotel and I help Amanda and Senna pack up before they head to the airport.

Senna half-heartedly throws a few items into his backpack as I help Amanda finish packing everything else up. Once done, I glance over to see Senna lying on the bed, glued to his handheld video game console.

"Bye, bud. See you soon, okay?"

He nods but doesn't answer, so I walk over and tease him, "I get a hug or your video game." With a sigh, he leans over and gives me a side hug while still playing.

I will take what I can get.

I bid Amanda goodbye as well, keeping quiet about my plans for tonight. But judging by the comment she makes as I leave, I know she knows something.

"I saw you talking to Mia…" Her voice trails off.

"Yeah?" I stand, leaning my shoulder against the wall. "So what?"

"It was intense! " she says, a hint of surprise in her tone.

But I just shrug and nonchalantly say, "We're getting together later tonight to talk, that's all."

Amanda crosses her arms and smiles her know-it-all smile. "That's all?"

"Look…" I scratch the back of my head. "You put ideas in my head, okay? And you know I'm stupid enough to follow them. She's still my brother's ex, and it's weird, but I am curious to see if we can hit it off somehow."

Amanda just smiles.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," she replies.

"How long have you thought she and I would make a good match?" I ask, curious.

Amanda bobs her head around as she thinks. "Awhile," she confesses. "I knew she and Ryan wouldn't work out. You could tell they were both just comfortable, especially him. Anyway, she was always so good with Senna, and I do like her. I felt she could be something who could make you happy, and you deserve that."

At her downcast stare, I immediately walk over to her.

"We were happy for a while," I say.

She nods her head and sighs wistfully. "But it didn't work out," she finally says and shrugs, as if admitting defeat.

I step closer and reach for her hands. Looking deep in her eyes, I say, "It worked out just fine for almost ten years. Sometimes good things come to an end, okay?"

Amanda smiles softly. "Go and have a good time. Senna and I need to head out in a moment."

"Alright," I say with a nod. "Text me when you two make it back home."

I close the door carefully behind me, then stride towards the elevators, trying to rein in my excitement when I catch sight of my silly grin in the elevator mirror.

I head back to my hotel room to rest before ordering some room service. Mia had told me to meet her around 11 tonight. About fifteen minutes before, I get ready to head over, feeling a bit nervous.

I remind myself this is just a conversation, nothing more. I don't want to get hurt, and I certainly don't want to hurt anyone else.

I pause and think about what I know of Mia. It isn't much. She's hard-working, a beautiful woman with long brown hair, clear blue eyes and the body of a gymnast. She was devoted to Ryan until the very end.

Ryan claims they parted amicably, attributing it to her reluctance to move to New York with him. But the family knows the real reason—it was his fear of commitment that drove her away.

The elevator doors open onto the terrace. Inside the restaurant, soft ambient music plays beneath gentle lighting and cozy décor.

To my surprise, Mia is already there, nervously sipping champagne at a table.

"How are you?" I greet her and take a seat across from her.

"I'm just trying to keep it together," she admits, making me chuckle.

"Why?" I notice a second glass on the table and pour myself a drink. "I just thought it would be a good idea for us to talk."

"People don't usually want to talk to me…" she says, avoiding my gaze.

I shake my head sympathetically. She seems a bit tipsy, so I need to tread carefully here.

"What did my brother do to you?" I ask, serious.

"Nothing," she shrugs. "That's exactly the problem. Ryan was always the same, except when he compared himself to you."

She lightly jabs a finger at my chest, taking me by surprise. "Really? Ryan, one of the youngest billionaire CEO's, comparing himself to me?"

"You're his idol, Ethan," she murmurs into her glass. "I wouldn't know, being an only child, but I guess that's how it is with siblings, huh?"

I slowly take in her words, savoring the aroma of the champagne before taking another sip. "Too bad he never compared our relationships."

I want her to admit they broke up because he never proposed, but I doubt it'll be that simple.

"He was content with the way things were," Mia sighs. "He thought he could always have me. I wasn't upset then, but I'm starting to be now. God, what a waste of time."

She buries her face in her arms. Instinctively, I reach out to comfort her and surprise myself by running my fingers through her hair.

She freezes. "Please, don't do that," she whispers.

I lift my hand but don't pull it away completely. "Why shouldn't I?" I ask.

"Because you're making me feel things…" she murmurs in a strained tone.

"Good things or bad things?" I ask, amused, but move my hand away to make her more comfortable.

"I…" Mia raises her beautiful eyes to me. "I don't know. You're my ex's brother. How am I supposed to feel?"

We look at each other for a long time. After much contemplation, I respond, "You know what I feel? I feel like I'm with someone who left a long relationship feeling very lonely, just like me. And I feel she needs time to acclimate to this new stage in life, to take it easy, be more open and not worry about taking things too seriously."

She takes in my words and blinks at me. Straightening herself in her chair, she pushes her champagne glass away.

"I'm surprised to hear you say that," Mia says thoughtfully.

"Even though I was once called ‘Hulk on Ice,' the truth is I'm really a softie. Just don't tell anyone else." I tip my glass to her.

She chokes on her own giggles. "I'd hate to see you mad."

"Nah…" I finish my glass and pour another. "My marriage was a farce for a long time, and I just lived with that, Mia. At least we got Senna out of it."

"How's Senna dealing with the divorce?" When she asks about him, it warms my heart.

"He seems fine," I answer truthfully. "He gets to travel most weekends, has two bedrooms, twice the toys, and probably double the attention. It's a good deal for him, at least for now."

"I'm glad," Mia says, reaching for the bottle to pour herself the last of the champagne. "I miss him like he was my actual nephew. I need Amanda's address to send him birthday and Christmas gifts."

"I'll give it to you." Without thinking, I reach out and touch her hand. When I look at her face, she bears the same shocked expression as before.

"You don't want me to do that?" I ask, pointing at her hand.

"No, please don't," she whispers again.

Before I can say anything else, she downs her glass completely, slams it on the table, and raises a finger toward the waiter. "Bring us another one."

"Hold that thought." I shake my head firmly. "We're done with the alcohol."

"Why?" Mia frowns.

"Don't drown your sorrows in booze," I say in a pleading tone. "You're already a workaholic. Don't become an alcoholic too."

I see Mia comically huff and puff, but she finally lets it go. "So, what do we do now?"

I shrug. "Wanna have something to eat?"

"Um, I was around food all day…" she politely declines.

"Then let me accompany you to your room," I say, reaching for my wallet to pay for the champagne.

She yawns then nods, slowly standing. We head straight for the elevators. She's swaying a little, and I try to help steady her without being too handsy.

Mia seems lost in thought, not uttering a single word until we reach the door to her room.

"Do you wanna come in?" she blurts out, still swaying side to side.

But I just smile, cup her face with my hands, and kiss her lightly on the forehead.

"Good night, Mia," I say, then turn to leave.