Page 111 of Not So Very Sensible

Ethan gestured her forward. “This is Charlene. She and I run our church youth group together.”

Katie’s brow cleared. “I recognise you now. You spoke at a church we visited recently.”

They’d gone to his church?

Charlene lifted a hand. “I’m his wingwoman.”

“Wingwoman?”

“Poor Ethan has been more nervous about talking to Ellie than a fifteen-year-old asking a girl out on a first date.”

“Hey, that’s not true,” he protested.

“That’s exactly true. Don’t deny it.”

“You want to ask Ellie out?” Katie said, frowning at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be engaged?”

He sighed. “It’s a long story.”

“Look, I’d love to stay and chat, but we’re smashed here. Literally.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

She eyed him. “Haven’t you done enough?”

“Please. Let me help. If I can.”

She shrugged. “Fine. Go put on an apron, then clean this up. We’ve got a couple of large parties we’re trying to juggle, and we need this space cleaned pronto.”

Which is how he found himself wearing a frilly apron—which Charlene giggled at and took a photo of, before saying he clearly didn’t need her help and she could go check out the antique store next door, thank you very much—and cleaning up the broken dishes and soggy sandwiches.

But he itched to follow Ellie through the door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY. He yearned to know if that look in her eye was one that meant he had a chance or maybe no chance at all. It seemed ridiculous that he’d finally found her and yet still lacked the words to say what needed to be said. He, who had been trained all his life in using words.

The door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY opened, and his heart lifted, then fell when he realised the woman standing there was not Ellie. She could well be Ellie’s mother, though, judging from that photo he recalled.

“Oh!” She startled. “Who are you?”

“I’m Ethan Ferris. Ellie’s friend,” he clarified.

Because it was true. No matter what Ellie might think or say. He wanted to be her friend—more—and he wasn’t leaving until things were straightened out between them once and for all.

“I came out to see who had discombobulated my daughter so much. I’ve never seen her in such a state.”

Aw, poor Ellie. “My appearance was a surprise.” He gestured to the broken plates. “Hence this. I’m very sorry. I’ll pay for it.”

She frowned at him, then her expression cleared. “You’re the one she was talking about.”

Uh-oh. That didn’t sound good. “I’d really like the opportunity to straighten things out with her.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be engaged?” Mrs. Bennett asked, hands on her hips. Katie had joined them now, along with a third woman, a redhead.

“I, uh, no.” He shook his head more decisively. “No. I was never engaged. Not truly. Consider that a publicity stunt by my father. I’m ashamed to say I went along with it because I thought it was helping someone, until I realised that it was hurting those people I cared most about.”

“You mean Ellie?” the redheaded woman said.

“Yes. Sorry, have we met?”

“Annabelle. I’m Ellie and Katie’s cousin.”