Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
When it was the twins' turn to greet her, Thornton was the first one to speak, saying gruffly, "He told us he'd be a little late."
Anah breathed a sigh of relief.
"You mean a lot to Ethan," Aidan assured Anah after pressing a quick kiss on her cheek. "He won't miss your birthday for the world."
And while this might be true, it was already a few minutes past nine in the evening when Ethan finally arrived.
"Happy birthday, little Anah." Like Aidan, Ethan also bent down to brush his lips against her cheek, but unlike earlier, this kiss - however brief - had her catching her breath.
"I'm sorry I'm late." Ethan's tone was heavy.
"It's fine," she said earnestly. "I told you, remember? No pressure—-" Her voice broke off when she saw Ethan dig out something from his pocket.
"I had this specially designed for you," Ethan murmured as he opened the box.
The bracelet was a simple gold chain, but the two charms dangling from it were what had Anah blinking.
"I get the horse part," Anah said slowly, "but what's with the cloud?"
"It's a secret," Ethan said, his lips twitching.
"But it's my gift!"
"You don't want it then?" he threatened.
Anah made a face. "I didn't mean it that way."
"Then just say 'thank you, Mr. Blackwood'," he said mockingly even as he took the bracelet out of the box.
She wrinkled her nose, but when he glared at her, she obeyed laughingly, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood." Anah's voice nearly caught in the end. Ethan had suddenly reached for her hand, and the way his fingers grazed her skin as he clasped the bracelet around her wrist had her feeling faint.
Not wanting him to realize how breathless she was at present, she gave her thanks in a hurry and quickly escorted him to the twins' table.
Aidan waited until Anah was out of earshot before confronting his younger brother. "Did you just give her a bracelet?"
"I did, yes." Ethan was puzzled. "Is it such a big deal?"
"Everyone already thinks you two are going out," Thornton pointed out, "and giving her a bracelet in front of the whole damn town's just fanning the flames."
"Let them say what they want," Ethan dismissed.
"And Anah?" Aidan demanded. "Don't you care if she misinterprets—-"
"She won't," Ethan said without hesitation, remembering how guilty Anah had seemed when he asked her about liking a boy in her school.
The twins exchanged looks. Since Ethan was no idiot, how was it that he could be so damn blind and dense towards Anah's feelings?
Oblivious to his brothers' frustration, Ethan pulled his phone out and checked the Internet for the latest news about Guilia. He knew he shouldn't give a damn anymore, but after finding out she was involved in a car crash and had been rushed to a hospital a few hours ago...
Ethan breathed deeply. He had already been at the airport earlier when he changed his mind about flying out and drove to Anah's home instead. Guilia was no longer his girlfriend, and he had to fucking act like it.
Anah had just come out of the powder room when an anxious-looking Ember quickly pushed her back inside and locked the door.
"Look at this," Ember urged as she handed her iPhone to her friend.
Anah paled upon reading the headline. "Is she...is she alright?"
"I checked Twitter for the latest updates," Ember answered uneasily, "and they say she's still in the E.R."
Anah didn't let herself think. "Will you excuse me?"
Ember could only nod, with Anah already rushing past her. Had she done the right thing, telling Anah about Guilia's accident?
Ethan was immediately concerned when Anah asked to speak to him privately in a tremulous voice.
"What's wrong?" he asked as soon as they were away from the other guests.
After taking a deep breath, Anah just went ahead and spoke her mind. "You should go to Guilia."
He stiffened.
"I know you're worried about her," Anah said quietly. "That's why you were late, weren't you? You were on your way to her, but you turned back—-"
"Anah—-"
"Go to her," Anah urged. "I can see in your eyes you're worried about her, and I know you'll never forgive yourself for not being there if ever something..." Her voice trailed off, but the way he whitened told her that he understood exactly what she was saying.
A muscle ticked in Ethan's jaw. Anah was so damn young, and she had only known him for over a year. So how was it that she understood him so well?
"It's okay, Ethan," Anah said softly. "Please go."
A curt nod, followed by the softest kiss on her forehead, and then she was watching him walk away from her...and towards another woman.
He was the only one, Anah thought sadly, who didn't say she looked beautiful tonight.
And that said it all.
While all she could see was him, Ethan didn't see her at all.
Chapter Five
ETHAN HAD COME HOME.