Page 31 of Ethan & Grace

The limousine came to a halt, and the partition separating us from Wallace slid down. “We’re here,” he announced. I looked out the window to see we were already parked in front of my building. It was still raining, and lightning flashed in the distance above the city.

Wallace made a move to get out.

“Don’t,” Ethan said.

I assumed he didn’t want Wallace to get wet because of me, but to my surprise, Ethan stepped out himself. Moments later, he was at my side of the car. He opened the door for me, and when I got out, I found myself under an umbrella. I had no idea where he’d conjured it from. He signalled for Wallace to wait, and then we walked side by side to the sheltered doorway. I dug the key out of my clutch, taking longer than usual as I scrambled to find the right words.

“You . . .”

“I hope . . .”

We spoke at the same time.

He gave a little grin. “You go first.”

I dropped my gaze, fixing on one of his coat buttons. It was easier to focus on that than on his searching gaze, which had the same effect on my heart as running a marathon would—not that I’d ever run one, but I imagined my pulse would be racing just as fast. “You won’t tell Rakesh, will you?”

“No. We had a deal. You tell me the truth; I keep quiet.”

A weight lifted from my chest. “Thank you. What were you going to say?”

“Only that I hope you find out who was responsible for your sister’s death. I’m not particularly close to my brothers, but the idea of one of them dying at the hands of a stranger and not knowing who did it . . .” He shook his head. “It’s unthinkable.”

“Thank you,” I said. “For the ride too.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“And for getting my coat back,” I added, stroking the rough fabric with the hand that wasn’t clutching my key. “That was nice of you.”

Ethan cupped an ear. “What was that?”

“You heard me.”

“So you admit I was right?”

“What about?”

“That I’m nicer to you than you are to me.”

He really was. At least tonight. “Maybe.”

“‘Maybe’ is a good enough start,” Ethan said with a crooked smile, before turning away and heading back to the car.

I stood rooted to the spot, waiting for the limousine to pull away, but it didn’t move. Seconds passed before I realised that Ethan and Wallace were waiting to make sure I got in safely. I unlocked the door and slipped inside. Only then did the car drive off.

When I’d gone to the club with Rose, I never would have guessed that the night would take such a turn. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. More than that, I didn’t know what to make of Ethan.

I was climbing the stairs to my flat, still trying to make sense of my thoughts, when it struck me: I had answered Ethan’s question, but he still hadn’t told me a thing about himself.

12

I’m back home. Zachary was super sweet, although a bit awkward. I hope you had fun after I left!

Message from Rose to Grace

Grace

It was no big surprise that Amy’s death had changed my life. When it happened, I’d known instantly that nothing would ever be the same again. What I couldn’t have predicted was that I’d have to avoid my colleagues because I couldn’t stand their pity, and spend my breaks hiding away on the private floor of The Darlington.