the damage I've done. "They'll be here tomorrow, so you can bring them here."
"They'll be busy," Ethan answers. "We all will be."
Of course. "But at least you're all in this together."
I know they don't agree on everything. I've witnessed some of their disagreements firsthand. But I've also seen how much they care for each other and how well they can work together.
"True," Ethan agrees.
I smile. "I'm envious, actually. Growing up, there were many times I wanted to have even just one sibling. I was supposed to have an elder brother, but he died hours after he was born."
"You wanted an elder brother?"
"Or a younger sister," I answer. "So I would have been able to teach her a lot of things and bask in her awe and admiration."
Ethan grins. "I think you would have made an excellent elder sister."
I try not to blush at the compliment.
"What about you?" I ask him. "Do you like being the eldest brother?"
He sits up straight. "I don't like being the eldest son."
I wasn't expecting that.
"Because you're the one who had to take over the company?" I ask.
"I don't mind that, actually," he replies. "I do believe I have a knack for business."
He's not wrong there.
"If I didn't have to take over the family company, I think I would have founded my own."
And been successful, no doubt.
"The company-related responsibilities and expectations I can handle," Ethan adds. "It's the personal ones I find taxing."
"Like?" I ask.
Ethan sighs. "Like my dad nagging me to get married."
My eyebrows arch. I had no idea that was going on. It would make sense for Ethan to get married, though. He's already made it to the top of the corporate ladder, so there's no better time for him to settle down. Besides, he's thirty-six already. A lot of men get married before they're even thirty.
Why didn't that occur to me before? Or was I trying not to think about it because I wanted him to remain a bachelor? Why? Because I was afraid that if he had a family he wouldn't be able to work as hard? Or was it because of my little crush, which I'm realizing may not be so little after all? Have I been secretly relishing the fact that he's too busy with work to have a personal life because I don't want him to pay attention to any woman other than me? Have I secretly been hoping he would never get married?
I must have, because as the idea of Ethan possibly getting married sinks into my brain, my heart sinks to my stomach.
I could just walk into Ethan's office one day and hear him ask me to buy an engagement ring for his fiancee? Or worse, find a woman in his office with a ring on her finger and a smirk on her face?
I grab my glass and gulp down the rest of my wine.
I know Ethan's my boss. I know he's a billionaire. I know there's no way we'd end up together. Still, I can't help but resent the idea of him being with another woman.
"Does your dad already have a wife in mind for you?" I ask even though I'm not sure I want to hear the answer. "Or maybe you have someone in mind."
Ethan meets my gaze. For a moment, we just stare at each other across the table, not saying a word. Then he straightens his shoulders and smooths the edges of his jacket.
"You know what? Let's not talk about that."
"Okay."
I don't mind dropping the uncomfortable topic. I just wish I had heard his answer to my question first. Is there already a woman in the running to be his wife? Yes or no?
Ethan signals to the waiter for the bill and pays it. Then he stands up.
"I know it's still early, but we have a big day tomorrow. Shall we go back to the hotel?"
Chapter Six
Ethan
"Good night," I tell Stella once we reach the door to her hotel room.
No smile. No further niceties. No stalling. Just the usual parting words we give each other when our day at work is done and we have to go our separate ways.
"Good night," she replies.
I walk towards the next door. My hand slips into my pocket to retrieve my key card.
"And thank you," Stella adds. "For accompanying me around the city today. I had fun."
My lips almost curve into a grin. This from the woman who was insisting on going alone earlier. I want to tell her that I also had fun, but I'm afraid