Ethan began testing people.
Again and again.
“And every time someone failed,” he said, “I felt smarter.”
Catherine glanced at him.
“Did you?”
“No.”
His voice dropped.
“I was becoming more afraid.”
She looked out the window.
“And then I showed up.”
“You showed up. Talked to a squeegee. Nearly destroyed my rug. Organized money you desperately needed. Left me a note.”
Catherine winced.
“Not my strongest first impression.”
Ethan looked at her.
“It was the strongest first impression anyone has ever made on me.”
The car stopped outside her
apartment.
Neither reached for the door.
“You were extraordinary tonight,” Ethan said.
“I compared investment strategy to cake.”
“You never tried to become somebody else.”
Uncategorized
November 8, 2026 · editor editor
Catherine swallowed.
Ethan leaned slightly closer.
So did she.
Then his phone rang.
Brooke.
Ethan shut his eyes.
Catherine moved back.
“You should answer.”
“I don’t want to.”
Uncategorized
