99

VIVIAN

I watched Ethan as he spoke.

His voice was soft, calming, just as good as the fresh air I so desperately sought. It made me feel guilty that I had so obviously avoided all evening, instead favoring Nate who did not deserve it.

"Dinner was awkward, wasn't it?" He pressed his lips together in an apologetic gesture as if anything had been his fault.

"Nothing I wasn't expecting." I replied.

I was grateful that he at least had the good sense to feel sorry as a member of the Stuart family. Nate had apologized too but I couldn't just take him seriously.

"Viv, you shouldn't be so complacent. They'll keep stepping over you like that. I could see it in your face that you were uncomfortable."

I was surprised at how he could read me so well. I nodded, casting my eyes to the floor and digging my toes into the earthy ground.

"I was. Your mother doesn't seem to like me much. Many of them don't seem to."

I was not sure why I was opening up to him but there was something about him that