ted, her eyes softening

ntly. "I just thought... it might help yo

still looked like she was ready to tear her apart, while Call

y dinner didn't see

about the Brooks family, and the other subt

ghtfully

lips as she added, "Stella does have a point, though. Who knows who I'll charm next? Maybe one day... Ethan wi

ppeared. Without waiting for a response,

!" Stella's shrill voice pierced the air. "Callie, se

ss gone. Her voice was cold and measured. "Just an outsider. Does she real

hadn't been served-Roger Brooks, Ethan's father, hadn't arrived yet. Nyla was grateful she was

ant landscape barren and forlorn. She studied the decay

f back and forth lightly, lost in thought. The Ethan situation was spiraling

it was all calculated-a means to an end. But somew

o long that the taste of it-howe

want to l

le?" Ethan's voice cut through the stillness, sharp yet

the house spilled onto her figure, casting her in an ethereal glow that m

ross her chest, and smiled faintly. "So, are you h

Ethan hated and loved those eyes-the mischievous glint that m

getting

ds. "I won't apologize. And you don't have to remind me of my place either. Whether the Brooks

ssion darkene

from the swing, his grip firm. "Insignificant?" he repeated, his voice like a

dn't loosen his hold. He pulled her down onto his lap as he sa

to free herself. "Ethan, this is th