It was terrifying and necessary, and he was definitely overthinking it. He showed up at Nordstrom at 155, feeling immediately out of place among the polished shoppers and designer displays. Vivien was waiting near the men's section, wearing a business suit that probably cost more than his monthly rent. "You came," she said, smiling. "I said I would. " "I know, but I wasn't sure if you'd bolt again. " "I don't bolt. " "You literally ran away from my car on Sunday.
That was a strategic retreat. " She laughed and linked her arm through his. "Come on, let's find you something that doesn't make you want to bolt strategically. " The next hour was surprisingly painless. Viven had pulled a personal shopper, a guy named Marcus, who had an eye for fit and zero patience for Ethan's self-deprecating comments. "Stop saying you look ridiculous," Marcus said, adjusting the shoulders on a charcoal suit. "You look good.
Accept it. I look like I'm playing dress up. You look like someone who cleans up well. " Viven appeared beside him, examining the fit. Marcus is right. This is perfect.
Ethan looked at himself in the three-way mirror. The suit was simple, charcoal gray, clean lines, nothing flashy, but it fit well, and he had to admit Marcus and Vivien were right. He didn't look ridiculous. He looked like someone who might actually belong at a corporate fundraiser. How much?
He asked. Marcus quoted a number that made Ethan's stomach drop. That's Yamos. It's what good suits cost, Vivien said gently. And you'll get years out of it.
Job interviews, Sophie's future graduations, weddings. Still a lot, which is why I'm loaning you the money. We talked about this. They bought the suit, plus a white shirt and a tie that Viven picked out over his protests. When the total rang up, Ethan made a mental note of the exact amount.
He'd pay her back, every penny. They walked out of Nordstrom into late afternoon drizzle. Ethan carrying his purchases in a Nordstrom bag that felt both exciting and completely foreign. Thank you, he said, for helping with this. You've thanked me three times already.
I mean it though, Vivien stopped walking and turned to face him. I know you do. And I need you to understand something. I'm not doing this because I feel sorry for you. I'm doing it because I want you at that fundraiser with me because being around you makes everything else bearable.
Even boring corporate events. Especially boring corporate events. He kissed her right there on the sidewalk, not caring about the shoppers hurrying past or the rain starting to pick up. When they pulled apart, Vivien was smiling. Wednesday, she said, "7 p.m.
I'll pick you up. I'll be ready. I know you will. " She kissed him once more, then disappeared into the parking garage, leaving Ethan standing on the sidewalk with a Nordstrom bag and the feeling that his life had just shifted in a direction he hadn't seen coming. He drove home through rush hour traffic, his phone buzzing with a message from Sophie via Sarah's phone. Did you get a fancy suit?
I did. Are you going to look handsome? I'm going to look uncomfortable, but maybe handsome, too. Take pictures. I want to see.
Deal. Wednesday night, a corporate fundraiser. Vivien heart on his arm and a room full of people who'd know exactly what he was the moment he opened his mouth. He should be terrified. Instead, he was just excited to see her again.
Wednesday arrived with the inevitability of a deadline Ethan couldn't postpone. He spent the morning at the shop working through a backlog of oil changes and trying not to think about the evening ahead. Sophie had convinced Sarah to let her stay over so she could help him get ready, which meant his apartment was currently occupied by an 8-year-old fashion consultant with strong opinions. "The tie is crooked," Sophie announced from where she sat on his bed, watching him struggle with the knot for the third time. "I know it's crooked.
I'm trying to fix it. You're making it worse. Let me help. " "You're eight. You don't know how to tie a tie. YouTube does. " She held up Sarah's phone, displaying a tutorial video.
See? Over, under, through the loop. Ethan gave up and let his daughter talk him through the steps, following the video's instructions while Sophie provided commentary. By the fourth attempt, the tie actually looked presentable. There, Sophie said with satisfaction.
Now you look fancy. He examined himself in the bathroom mirror. The charcoal suit fit perfectly. The white shirt was crisp and the tie, thanks to YouTube and Sophie, looked almost professional. But the face staring back at him still looked like a mechanic playing dress up.
I don't know if I can do this, Sofh. Yes, you can. You're brave. I'm really not. You are.
You fix broken things even when they're scary. You helped that lady in the rain even though you were late. You're the bravest person I know. Ethan pulled his daughter into a hug, breathing in her strawberry shampoo and wondering what he'd done to deserve a kid this perceptive. When did you get so wise?
I've always been wise. You just never listen. Sarah appeared in the doorway, phone in hand. Okay, I need photos before Vivian gets here. Stand by the window.
Sarah, non-negotiable. Sophie wants pictures, and what Sophie wants, Sophie gets. They spent 10 minutes taking photos that would probably never see the light of day. Sarah directing him like a professional photographer while Sophie critiqued his poses. By the time the doorbell rang at 6:50, Ethan was equal parts relieved and terrified.
He opened the door and forgot how to breathe. Vivien stood in the hallway wearing a floorlength black dress that somehow managed to be elegant and devastating at the same time. Her hair was pulled back, revealing a neck that Ethan suddenly wanted to kiss, and her makeup was subtle but perfect. Wow. He managed.
Yeah. She smiled a bit uncertain. It's not too much. It's perfect. You're perfect.
You clean up pretty well yourself. She stepped inside and Sophie immediately launched herself forward. You look like a princess. A CEO princess. Viven laughed.