What actually happened? He sank onto the couch. She invited me to some corporate fundraiser. Black tie. I told her I don't own a suit and she said it was fine, but it's not fine.
I don't belong in that world, Sarah. So, rent a suit. That's not the point. Then what is the point? The point is he ran his hands through his hair.
She lives in pen houses and flies to Singapore for business meetings. I live in a two-bedroom apartment and get panic attacks about electricity bills. We went kayaking today and it was perfect, but that's not real life. Real life is her needing to take calls at 8:00 p.m. On Sunday while I'm trying to figure out how to keep my shop open.
Sarah sat beside him. You're scared? Of course I'm scared. What happens when she realizes I'm not some diamond in the rough? I'm just rough.
Have you considered that maybe she already knows that and doesn't care? She should care for her own sake. That's not your decision to make. Sarah poked him in the chest. You're self-sabotaging.
You had a good time. She clearly likes you. And now you're inventing reasons why it won't work. I'm being realistic. You're being a coward.
The words stung because they were true. Ethan closed his eyes, thinking about Viven's hand in his. The way she'd laughed when they capsized. The kiss in the car that had made everything else disappear. "What if I screw it up? " he asked quietly.
"Then you screw it up. But at least you tried. " Sarah stood. I'm taking Sophie home. You're going to sit here and think about whether you want to let fear win or whether you want to actually be happy for once. That's harsh.
You need harsh. She called Sophie, who emerged from the bedroom with suspiciously perfect timing. Are you and Vivien fighting? Sophie asked. "No, sweetheart. " "We're just figuring things out. " "Figuring things out is what adults say when they're definitely fighting. " She hugged him.
"Fix it, Dad. She's nice and she makes you smile. Don't mess it up. " They left, and Ethan sat alone in his apartment, staring at his phone. Three unread messages from Vivien. "I really am sorry.
I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. We don't have to go to the fundraiser. We can do something else. Please talk to me. He should respond.
Should say something to fix the weird tension he'd created by bolting from her car. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, he opened his laptop and googled men's suit rental Seattle. The results were depressing. Prices ranging from $100 to $300 for a single night.
Money he didn't have. Money he'd need for the shop payment at the end of the month. His phone rang. Unknown number again. Hello, Mr.
Cole. This is James Morrison from Hart Industries Fleet Management. Ethan sat up straighter. Oh, hi. Yes.
M. Hart asked me to reach out about a maintenance contract for our Seattle vehicles. Do you have time this week to discuss terms? Uh, yeah, definitely. When works for you.