Chapter 4

The invitation to the Wellington Charity Gala arrived at Ethan's penthouse three days after our coffee shop performance. I watched his face carefully as he examined the heavy cream envelope, noting the slight tightening around his eyes.

"We've been invited to a charity event," he said, his tone carefully neutral as he handed me the invitation.

I scanned the elegant script. "The Wellington Foundation Annual Gala... this Friday." I looked up at him through my lashes. "Will Brandon be there?"

Something flickered in Ethan's gray eyes—a flash of that same darkness I'd glimpsed before whenever Brandon's name was mentioned.

"Most…