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Ethan glanced over his shoulder then, almost like he could feel me thinking about him, and pinned me with a smile that I felt down to my toes. Goddamn him, did he have to be so handsome? So intuitive? I hadn’t just been shadowing him and helping him learn about anger control techniques, he’d also been studying me just as closely. He noted anything that made me laugh and smile and made a point of doing those things as often as possible. And he genuinely listened whenever the focus shifted to me, which mostly consisted of me talking his ear off about all the volunteer programs I was involved in at the moment.
“It certainly appears so,” Brynn said, flashing a knowing look at Daisy.
I surveyed them for a moment, noting the conspiratorial way they were flashing giddy eyes at the way Ethan was looking at me.
“You two know about the bet, don’t you?” I asked.
Brynn spit her champagne back into her glass, nearly choking on it as she cleared her throat. “He told you?”
I laughed at their wide-eyed stares. “He did,” I said, shaking my head as I glanced back over at him.
He flashed me a curious glance, but I smiled at him and waved off his concern.
“Wow,” Daisy said. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“It’s never going to work,” I explained. “I’m not a long-term kind of girl.” Both of their shoulders dropped. “Sorry,” I added, then sighed.
“That’s all right,” Brynn said. “It was a ridiculous bet, anyway. But he’s a great guy, we just wanted him to…step outside of the box he traps himself in.”
“You’re still hanging around, though,” Daisy said, tilting her head at me. “Just because he’s a client?”
I pursed my lips. “He’s definitely easy to be around,” I said, and they both looked shocked at that. “What’s with those faces?” I asked, motioning between the two.
They immediately smoothed the expressions.
“Nothing,” Brynn said, shrugging. “It’s just the women we’ve seen him with usually run at the first sign of his temper.”
“They don’t take the time to really get to know him,” Daisy added. “Not that he really ever allows anyone outside our little circle to get close.”
“That’s a shame,” I said, looking over at him laugh with his friends. He looked so at ease, so comfortable, more than I’d ever seen him before. “For them,” I added. “He’s worth the time it would take to get past all his walls. Not that I have,” I quickly added. “Professionally.” I cleared my throat, failing miserably at containing my feelings for him. They were definitely driven by our physical chemistry, but there was more to it that than, even when I tried to deny it every chance I could.
“Well,” Brynn said. “I’m glad he told you about the bet and gave it up. He’s lucky to have you helping him—”
“Oh, he didn’t give up,” I said, laughing. “He’s still trying very hard to win, even though I’ve told him I’m not a long-term girl.”
“Wait,” Brynn said. “What? He says he’s still trying to get you to fall in love with him? Even after you know about it? Even after he found out you were his coach?”
“Yep,” I said.
“This is gold,” Daisy muttered to herself. “Pure. Gold.” She grabbed another champagne flute, waggling her brows at me. “I love it. The proximity. The stakes. The forbidden boundaries.”
“Daisy,” Brynn chided, but she just shrugged.
“Sorry,” Daisy said to me, tapping her temple. “Can’t turn off the author brain.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “Honestly, I don’t mind. I’m glad you two are here. I’m all for shadowing him, but that circle looks intimidating as hell to penetrate.”
Brynn shook her head. “They may look intimidating, but they’re teddy bears.” She tilted her head. “Maybe not Gareth.”
“He’s most certainly not a teddy bear,” Daisy said. “More like a scary jungle cat you want to pet because he’s alluring, but he could just as easily bite your head off if you try.”
Brynn laughed. “Omigod, he’s not that bad.”
Daisy shrugged, sipping her drink.
“Is that the one with the tattoos?” I assumed.
“That’s the one,” Brynn said. “Honestly, he’s not as scary as he looks.”
Daisy looked skeptical but didn’t add anything.
“And the one standing next to him?”
“That’s Crossland,” Brynn answered. “He’s harmless. Cocky and pure trouble, but nothing to be afraid of. If you need to be over there with Ethan, you’ll be okay. I promise. They’re a wonderful group to be a part of.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Daisy said.
“Okay,” I said, assured. “You’ve convinced me. I’ll go back to work.” I winked at the two, and they laughed as I left them and crossed the room.
The nerves in my stomach tightened the closer I got to Ethan. He looked like he was in casual conversation with his friends, his stance relaxed, the muscles beneath his tailored black suit showing no signs of tension. Despite that, what if I interrupted something important? Like a billion-dollar deal?
