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This time her smile lit the room. “I didn’t have to. A photographer called in, wanting to know how she could help. Abbie told her she had impeccable timing.”
“So that’s it? You’re done?” He hated how shocked he sounded, as if he hadn’t paid attention to pretty much everything there was between them.
“It’s not like I left them hanging. Nothing lasts forever, Ethan.”
Yeah, he got that.
The ballroom was a ridiculously overdone silver and gold monstrosity. Standing there, with the endless patterns of riches stretching from floor to ceiling and covering everything in between, he had the almost sea-sickening feeling of being in a kaleidoscope. He was no structural engineer, but he’d bet money the floor threatened to collapse under the weight of the flowers and waiters with their trays packed with wine glasses. The setup didn’t even remotely hint at anything animal-related, but the strategy was probably on point. Spread the alcohol around, make the exits invisible, and keep a card reader on hand for liquored-up donations people would probably be too embarrassed to rescind in the hung-over light of day.
Rue immediately spotted Mimi Von Adler—who wore a bright, pointed feathery hat that made her look like a fucking macaw—and took off after her. Ethan wandered just a moment before finding Liam, who didn’t have any qualms about showing up alone—although he didn’t exactly face criticism for it, either.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” Liam asked.
Ethan snagged a glass from a passing waiter and took a sip before he answered. It didn’t go down smoothly. Beer would have been better, but if anyone was passing that around in those fancy flutes, he was none the wiser. “She’s checking with the Queen Mother about a fundraiser idea.”
Liam snorted. “I think you nailed the old lady on that one, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hat like that on anyone not at a costume party.”
“It’s more likely I insulted the Queen Mother.” Not that dead people worried too much about insults. Or about husbands moving on.
“So how’s it going outside of the single life?” Liam asked.
“Confusing,” Ethan said. “Half the time I feel bad about dating her, and the other half I’m twisting in the wind over the fact that she’s leaving soon.”
Liam shook his head. “Could you have two more opposite problems? Actually, make it one. That guilt is all in your head. You know Amy wouldn’t care. Hell, she’d probably push you out there herself. She would have never wanted you to be unhappy. You’re using her as an excuse, and she’s more than that. You know damn well that dating someone else now doesn’t take anything from what you shared with her.”
Ethan drained the glass. “You’re right. And for what it’s worth, that particular horse is out of the barn.”
“Did you just call Rue a horse?”
“Tell me he didn’t call me a horse.” Rue stepped from behind Ethan and flashed a grin at Liam that left Ethan feeling empty inside.
“I absolutely did not call you a horse. Did you talk to the…to Mrs. Von Adler?”
Rue beamed. “I did, and the calendar is a go. She didn’t question using shelter animals, despite the fact that they don’t have much of anything to do with the rainforest. All she did was verify the men would be half-clothed and ask that I make sure first copy went to her. Oh, and she wants at least one guy to be really hairy.”
“I really didn’t need to know that last part,” Ethan said.
“Um, what calendar?” Liam asked.
“Hot shirtless men holding baby animals,” she said. “Eye candy with a cuteness factor that’s off the charts. They’ll fly off the shelves.”
“I think I’ll just make a cash donation instead,” Liam said wryly.
“Don’t say that too loudly in here,” she advised. “My mother will want that in writing.”
“Excellent warning,” Liam said. “Now if you’ll excuse me…”
“Of course,” Rue said, laughing. “Ethan was just going to ask me to dance.”
Ethan looked after his departing brother for a lifeline, but that chance was quickly swallowed by the sea of guests milling about, trying to be seen. “I was?” His hesitance didn’t stem from wanting distance from her. He just wasn’t sure he wanted the whole world seeing the way he felt, especially when they’d all find out soon enough that she’d left. Though it was now among the least of his concerns, he didn’t want to deal with another round of pity—especially not with the first one still going strong.
