later, my

ital. Remember Mrs. Henderson from our old neighborhood? Her daughter

mart, ambitious. Student government president or something

eally in the mo

new people. Olivia specifically asked

ised me. "

ses together. Anyway, I told her you'

Mom. Ver

fine. But I'm n

otel downtown. I felt out

ce, greeting guests, looking confident and elegant in a da

er face lit up wit

d make it." She extended a h

t's been a

m told me you were back i

rching. There was no pi

by," I said. I

was sorry to hear things d

filled her i

was for

rdest things are,

etails about Chloe. Instead, she asked about my architecture work, remembered

and she excused herself. "Don't be

oom, got a drink. I wasn'

lent auction tables, I hear

l, if it i

t was Chloe

as smirking, a possessive arm around Chloe's w

ing here?" I asked,

" Damien said. "Trying to look g

see you," Chloe mumbl

n's eyes landed on something

Henderson. Still think you'r

smile faltering slightly

. "Chloe. Ethan, I was just comin

"Actually, Olivia, there's something I've

child Chloe had told m

, but her eyes narrowed. "I have

orially. "You know, it's tough being a single dad. Especially w

ivia, then at me, a sly s

horrified. "D

was the mother of his child? The rumor Chloe's

harp sound. "You're delusi

you ready for that tour of t

o get away from t

eyes burning into my back. Chloe looked l

t?" I asked Olivia once

trying to attach himself to anyone with a pulse or a penn

ou were the moth

untrue. I barely know the man, other than him being Chloe's unfortunate baggage. He seems to think th

u have to dea

hen you cross paths with people like him. Do

triking. She handled

d was still on Damien's accusation. It was a nasty, t

ving the gala, Oliv

g, Ethan. It was

via. Despite

of us from the old college debate team are getting

I wasn't on th

n her eye. "But I was. And I'm inviti

. But another part, a part that had felt a spark of somethin

other

l text you

hadn't felt in months. Maybe Mom was right.

et someone who seemed s