n, Scarlett found herself settlin
ebbed aw
second day, Ethan descended the staircase just as Scarlet
steamed buns, and
off her apron and setting it aside. "I wasn't sure of y
food, she prepared everything with ample qua
Ethan was hardly surprised. Seating himself, he reached for a ste
ielding dough yielded to a
finding such simple pleasure in
s. This isn't to my liking
hid a smile behind lowered lashes. Then she
future, and she silently resolved to inqui
an produced a bank card from his pocket,
stonishment
ed on the back," Ethan stated matter-of-factly. "Henceforth, feel
ith your salary?" Scarl
w days old; even in marriage, t
matters to someone he hardly knew? Wa
y wife; it's only natural for
rely a decoy, a temporary
but he cautioned Greg that only a nominal amou
er curiosity would undoubtedly cent
it was a small price to pay
suspicious about her, he'
ry prowess had left a
n's machinations, Scarlett's heart
ightforward, tucking the bank card away. "Rest as
t sparkled like dew-kissed petals. Her smile, reminis
u; what you choose to pu
ouldn't shake the feelin
ded to the dishes, intending to ve
ave the prior day, she was obl
, she resolved to visit her grandmoth
on her. Ethan's cool voice pierced the silence
ctural designer at Timberland Architectural Firm. It's in the oppo
ll, heading north. Given the location of her workpla
his watch, he said, "It's still early. I'll drive you there. Perhaps consider i
ve prepared meals for myself re
e his offer. Accepting his offer wou
cola before he gave his consent. If
Nicola being dis
her refusal, Ethan had already
ing after him. Observing his reticent d
ut even as the elevator st
n was about to sit in the dri
er door, stirring memories of his frien
pressed tight. Just as Scarlett moved to open the door,
nd startled her. She stopped th
er head due to the sharp pain, she c
assed. "Are you alr
ct such a mish
she managed a strained smile, attempting
speech impossible, leaving he
you to th
er up carefully, he settled her into the passenger seat, his
gentle but firm, her fingers tremblin
, the engine humming to life as they pulled out of the base
the journey, weighted with g
ng, Scarlett was spared the
her to the hospital, because Nicola was staying
ed about Nicola and
assist Scarlett once more, only to be met with a p
and asked, "
her cheeks flushing as she to
acutely aware of the intimacy
elt uncomfortably intimate, prompting a r