He's been following me for months. When I saw him, I needed I needed to do something he wouldn't expect. She lowered her hands, eyes red-rimmed. "So, you kissed a complete stranger." "Yes, I know it's insane, but you were there.
And she paused. You've been kind to me before. "What?" "Three weeks ago. Parking garage."
You held the elevator, didn't stare at me, just stood quietly, then nodded and disappeared. Ethan had vague memory of holding an elevator. Automatic politeness. That kiss wasn't for the crowd. Her voice cracked.
It was for me. If I'd frozen, Marcus would have known I'm scared. I can't let him win. Ethan recognized the edge she was standing on. He'd stood there himself.
Hospital corridor when doctors said Sarah wouldn't survive. Funeral home choosing a casket. Dark hours when grief whispered survival wasn't worth it. She was spiraling, breathing faster, hands trembling harder. He kept his voice calm.
"Hey, look at me." She did, fighting to stay present. You're having a panic attack. Normal given what happened, but you're safe right now. Marcus is in the ballroom.
You're here with me. You don't understand. He's been destroying everything I've built for 6 months. "Ten minutes?" Ethan interrupted.
"Give yourself 10 minutes to breathe." Then handle whatever you need to handle. She stared at him like he'd spoke in another language. I don't have 10 minutes. Meridian Holdings executives are arriving.
In 10 minutes, you can be composed. Right now, you're 5 seconds from falling apart. Which makes better impression. The logic penetrated. She took a shuddering breath.
10 minutes. Then you go out there and convince whoever needs convincing that you're exactly as competent as you are. Something flickered in her expression, surprised that this stranger understood what she needed. She straightened the CEO sliding back into place like armor. "What's your name?"
"Ethan Carter." "I'm Victoria Sterling." She extended her hand like they were at a business function instead of a service corridor after her panic attack. Thank you for helping for not asking questions. Ethan shook her hand.