Chapter 2

Ethan’s POV

I leaned back in my leather chair, a pen balanced between my fingers as I skimmed the latest projects. The numbers were strong, stronger than I’d expected, but my focus was slipping. Howard Reynolds, my grandfather and perpetual thorn in my side, had been waiting in the adjacent lounge for over five minutes.

“Sir.” David, my assistant, cleared his throat. He was standing stiffly by the door, his tone calm but insistent. “The chairman is still waiting.”

I didn't look up. “And?”

David shifted uncomfortably. “He’s been known to lose patience.”

That made me smirk. “He’s never had any.”

The door burst open just as he spoke, and Howard strode in, his booming voice filling the room. “YOU ARROGANT RASCAL! HOW MANY HOURS ARE YOU PLANNIN’ TO KEEP ME WAITIN’?” His accent held the unmistakable edge of someone who had seen and conquered his share of New York’s toughest boardrooms.

I glanced up, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “You’re early.”

“Early, my ass.” He yanked off his hat and tossed it onto my desk before planting himself in the chair opposite me. “Not gonna offer your old man a seat? Hm?”

“You seem perfectly capable of seating yourself,” I said dryly, leaning back in my chair. “What brings you here, Grandpa?”

Howard grumbled as he crossed his arms, his sharp blue eyes—eyes I’d unfortunately inherited—boring into me. “The hell’s gotten into you, kid? You’ve been running this company like a damn fortress. You need to get out more.”

“I’m busy.”

“Busy doing what?” he shot back. “Workin’ yourself into an early grave?”

I exhaled sharply, picking up my pen again. “If this is your way of getting me to a family dinner, the answer’s still no.”

“It’s not dinner.” Howard leaned forward, his voice dropping into that gravelly tone I’d come to dread over the years. “You’re going on a date.”

The pen froze in my hand. Slowly, I set it down, turning my full attention to him. “Not interested.”

“It’s not about interest.” A grin spread across his weathered face, the kind that always made me want to lock my office door. “It’s about necessity.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Necessity?”

“You’ve been running GlowMira like a damn robot. The board’s startin’ to talk. They want to see you as more than some workaholic automaton. Show ‘em you’ve got a human side—take a girl out. One date.”

I folded my arms, leaning back in my chair as I stared him down. “The board needs results, not spectacle.”

“This ain’t about the board, boy. It’s about you.” He jabbed a finger at me, the gesture as sharp as his words. “Gettin’ to know someone might do you some good.”

“Who?” My voice was sharp, each syllable clipped as my patience began to unravel. “Who did you set me up with this time?”

“Riley Bennett.” His tone was smug, as if he’d just revealed a winning hand. “Daughter of Kenneth Bennett—you know, Adams Cosmetics. The families go way back.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “A business arrangement, then.”

Howard shrugged, his grin unwavering. “Marriage, merger, what’s the difference? All I’m saying is, go meet the girl. Be polite. Maybe it’ll surprise you.”

“And if I don’t?”

Howard leaned back, reaching for the remote on my coffee table like he owned the place. “Then I’ll stay here. Order pizza. Watch the game. Maybe call your mother for backup.”

My jaw tightened. Howard didn’t bluff. “Fine,” I bit out. “When?”

“Tonight. Seven o’clock.” He stood, clapping me on the shoulder with a force that almost made me wince. “Don’t disappoint me, kid.”

Later, as the car wove through Manhattan’s chaotic evening traffic, I sat in the back seat, glaring out the window. The city light's blurred past in a swirl of neon and shadow, but I couldn’t muster any interest. David, ever the cautious driver, kept his eyes on the road, though I could see his reflection glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

“Take it easy on him, Mr. Reynolds. Howard’s getting on in years,” David said finally, breaking the silence. His tone was mild, but I didn’t miss the edge of humor.

“Age doesn’t make him any less of a snake,” I muttered, loosening my tie.

David grinned. “Maybe. But at least he’s an entertaining one.”

I shot him a look. “Entertaining? This is the man who once called you ‘Ethan’s secretary’ during a board meeting.”

“And yet, here I am. Loyal as ever.” David smirked, then added under his breath, “Though I think he suspects us.”

“Suspects us of what?”

David didn’t miss a beat. “Being in a committed, long-term relationship.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “What?!”

“Think about it.” He gestured vaguely with one hand. “You don’t date. I’m always around. We finish each other’s sentences—sometimes not even sentences, just single words. Very couple-like.”

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.”

David laughed, his shoulders shaking as he turned a corner. “You know, the idea of Howard Reynolds grappling with his supposedly gay grandson is the only thing getting me through this traffic.”

“I hate you.”

“Liar.” He grinned, but his expression softened as he glanced at me again. “Look, it’s one date. Smile, drink something overpriced, and you’re free.”

“Howard said the same thing.”

“Well, he’s not wrong.”

I sighed, leaning back into the seat. “One date. One evening. And then I can get back to work.”

David didn’t answer, wisely choosing to let the subject drop. Outside, the restaurant came into view, a sleek, glass-fronted building that screamed exclusivity. As the car slowed to a stop, I adjusted my tie and braced myself.

“You know,” David said as I reached for the door handle, “if you really wanted to scare her off, you could just tell her you’re already taken—by me.”.

I gave him a withering look. “Don’t wait up.”

His laugh followed me as I stepped out into the crisp evening air. One date. One evening. Then it would be over. It had to be.