Chapter 8
ETHAN
The hum of soft jazz drifted through the bedroom as I fastened the last button on my shirt.
Light caught on the cufflinks Callie had given me on our first anniversary, small silver squares engraved with my initials.
They were a reminder of a time when things between us felt easy. I wanted that back so damn much.
My wife sat at her vanity, pulling her hair up into a twist that showed off her neck. For a moment, I let myself watch her with the quiet awe of a man who knew how close he’d come to losing something irreplaceable.
My dick hardened when she slipped off her robe, her curves wrapped in cream lingerie that made it painfully clear how much I wanted her. And how careful I still needed to be.
I barely held back my groan of disappointment when she stepped into her dress and turned to me. “Can you zip me?”
“Of course.”
I crossed the room, sliding the zipper up the smooth line of her spine. Her skin warmed under my fingers, but she didn’t lean into the touch the way she used to. Unfortunately, I had no one to blame but myself.
I reminded myself that trust wasn’t rebuilt overnight. I’d spent too long taking hers for granted.
“You look beautiful.” I pressed my lips behind her ear, barely resisting the urge to pull her closer. “I’m going to spend all night trying not to glare at anyone who stares too long.”
She rolled her eyes as she put in one of her earrings. “Nobody is going to do that, Ethan.”
“You don’t see how gorgeous you are, baby,” I disagreed, reaching for her bracelet.
She went still as I clasped the diamond tennis bracelet around her wrist. I'd given it to her at the first charity event we attended as a couple. She’d been so nervous about not fitting in, hiding her fear behind a brave smile.
I’d told her not to worry. That she’d outshine every woman there, and I’d have her back. I needed her to feel that again tonight.
“You good?” I asked.
She hesitated just long enough to make my chest tighten before nodding. “Yeah. Ready when you are.”
But her eyes slid away from mine a little too quickly.
I smoothed my tie, determined to rebuild the bridge between us. “We’ll stick together tonight.”
Her lips lifted in a small smile that eased some of my worry. Then she put on her heels, a strappy pair that made her legs look even better.
I offered my arm. “Let’s go wow the crowd.”
She slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow, and I looked forward to the night ahead with my gorgeous wife on my arm, determined not to give her another reason to pull away.
Traffic was light during the drive to the Thornleigh Country Club. After pulling up to the valet stand, I stepped out first, straightening my jacket before rounding the car to open Callie’s door and offer her my hand.
I pressed my palm lightly to the small of her back as we moved toward the entrance.
The club remained unchanged from the last time I’d been here.
Gilded moldings, towering columns, and crystal chandeliers that glittered without warmth.
It was impressive in a way that was intended to remind you who belonged and who didn’t.
Which was exactly why my mother loved this place so much.
“Champagne first.” I leaned closer to Callie as we stepped inside. “Then we’ll find our table.”
She gave me a soft smile that practically had my chest puffing up in pride.
“Prescott!” Gage’s voice carried easily over the hum of conversation. He approached with a grin, his tuxedo immaculate as always, one hand already reaching for mine in greeting. “You clean up well for a man who tried to scare me half to death with those Q3 projections.”
“Just doing my job,” I said dryly.
Gage turned toward my wife and brushed a kiss against her cheek, lingering just long enough to make my jaw tighten. “You look stunning as always, Callie.”
My wife’s face pinkened. “Thank you.”
I shot her a smug look before turning a glare on my friend. Tugging her closer, I growled, “Enough of that.”
“You’ve been married for a year, but your possessiveness hasn’t let up at all,” Gage teased, shaking his head with a laugh.
Vanessa joined us at the tail end of his comment, a champagne flute balanced delicately between her fingers.
“Maybe that’s why our marriage failed,” she said coolly, her smile never quite reaching her eyes. “You’ve never been jealous over me.”
“One of the many reasons we’re getting divorced,” Gage agreed with a nod.
His soon-to-be ex-wife ignored him and greeted us. “Callie. Ethan.”
“Vanessa,” Callie replied, warm and gracious in a way that only highlighted the contrast between the women. Her kindness was a big part of why I’d fallen for her so quickly. She wasn’t a trophy on my arm, but my partner in every way. And I needed to start treating her like it.
Gage clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Come on. Before someone corners me about the seating chart again.”
As we moved toward the ballroom doors, I kept my hand at Callie’s back, anchoring myself to her and aware of every breath she took beside me. The doors opened, and the sound of a string quartet spilled into the hall.
“Dance with me?” My wife tilted her head back to look up at me, her brows drawn together. “I want a moment with you in my arms before we get some champagne and face everyone else.”
Her smile was one of the purest I’d seen in too long. “I’d like that.”
“Hopefully, I remember how to do this.”
The remaining tension eased from her shoulders as I guided her to the dance floor, her body finally relaxing against mine.
She hesitated for half a second before stepping into me, her palm warm where it rested against my shoulder as we began to move together.
I guided her through the steps, my hand firm at her waist.
“You do seem a little rusty,” she teased.
I smiled down at her. “Maybe we need to go out dancing next weekend, to make sure I keep my skills sharp.”
“That would be great.”
We moved together in an easy rhythm, the world narrowing to the soft swish of her dress as it brushed against my slacks.
For a few precious moments, it felt like we were back to a place where things were easy between us.
I tightened my hold just a fraction, wishing we were home alone instead of in the middle of the dance floor surrounded by people.
The song ended too soon, and Callie’s smile dimmed, her gaze drifting somewhere over my shoulder. I felt the shift immediately—the way the warmth between us cooled, replaced by something careful and distant.
Turning, I found my mother gliding toward us with practiced grace, Sophie just half a step behind her. Callie tried to pull away from me, but I tightened my hold just enough to keep her close. I wanted her to know that she wasn’t facing them alone.
My mother looked impeccable, as always. No one would’ve guessed she’d spent the night in a hospital bed only a few days ago.
“Son.” She brushed a light kiss against my cheek.
“Good evening, Ethan.” Sophie beamed a smile at me. “You look so good in your tux, you should wear it to important meetings.”
I felt Callie’s hand tense in mine, but my mother simpered as though she found Sophie’s joke funny even though she’d rip into me if I actually did what was suggested. She was a stickler for dressing appropriately.
Reminding myself that this was a work event, I limited my response to, “Good evening.”
My mother’s gaze flicked around the room, then back to me. “I was surprised not to see my name at your table this year. We’ve always sat together before.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine with Sophie to keep you company.”
Her brow arched, the smallest tell of displeasure. “I suppose.”
What I didn’t say was that the decision had been deliberate. I’d asked Gage to move the seating myself to give Callie a break tonight. After what she’d shared with me about how my mom had been treating her, I hadn’t wanted my wife to be forced to deal with her digs tonight.
But it seemed my wife had decided she was going to use a light touch with my mother any longer.
“It’s good to see you looking so well, Margot. I’m glad everything turned out all right after your little scare.”
To someone unaware of the undercurrent, the words sounded polite, but I knew better.
My mother stiffened, the warmth draining from her expression as a few nearby guests turned their heads, clearly catching the tail end of the exchange. Her gaze sharpened, darting briefly around us before snapping back to Callie.
“Yes, well. There was no need to make a fuss.” She recovered quickly, turning to Sophie with a tight smile. “Come along, dear. We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
Sophie hesitated, her eyes flicking between us before she nodded and followed. As they walked away, my mother’s back perfectly straight, I felt the weight of what had just happened settle over me.
Callie exhaled softly beside me. I glanced down at her, pride stirring in my chest.
I was unable to keep the faint edge of amusement from my voice as I murmured, “That went better than I expected.”
She lifted her gaze to mine, a wry curve to her lips. “I suppose it could’ve been worse.”
I squeezed her hand gently, admiration blooming warm and steady in my chest. “Well played.”