“Why would you say something like that? I’m engaged.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re still human, aren’t you? Greene is a hunk and a half, and if I had the opportunity to go out to dinner with a guy like that—”
“Why don’tyougo then?”
“Because none of this has anything to do with me? Anyway, I kind of get the impression that he’s spoken for.”
“Really? Why do you say that?”
“I’m not sure, just a hunch. Anyway, it would be very last minute to cancel at this stage, not to mention rude—to Ethan and the restaurant you’re going to. Where did you book anyway?”
“Venu. It’s near his hotel, and he said he quite likes seafood so…”
“Oh, just go. It’s Saturday night and your night off too. Greene seems like he could be good company, and you’ll have done your duty by saying thanks on Gary’s behalf. What harm can it do?”
Rachel thought about it. Maybe Terri was right. Ethan did seem lovely, and she and Gary really were beholden to him.
What harm could it do?
Chapter 32
Ethan took a deep breath as he opened the door to the restaurant. He couldn’t understand why he was so nervous. These people had something that belonged to him, something important and personal, not to mention eye-wateringly expensive.
To add insult to injury, he wouldn’t even be in this position if he hadn’t gone out of his way to help a complete stranger. So much for good karma…
He supposed he was just uneasy about coming face-to-face with Knowles. The guy was the wild card in the entire scenario, whereas Rachel seemed like a rational, normal person who would no doubt be horrified when she found out the truth.
He drew in another deep breath and steeled his nerves. To hell with it. What was he so worried about? It was his ring, and he himself—not Knowles—was the injured party, so to speak. So really, all Ethan had to do was go in there, politely explain the situation, and refuse to leave until everything was resolved to his satisfaction.
Still, there was a side of him that wished he had brought Brian along for company. From what he remembered of Knowles at the time of the accident, he was pretty well built, and Ethan could do with a little brawn on his side if things got messy.
But if it came to it…
As he marched into the dimly lit restaurant, fully intending to get this out of the way from the get-go, he looked around. Rachel had mentioned something about meeting them at the cocktail bar beforehand, but he didn’t see them there. Maybe they were already at the table?
As he waited to inquire at the front of the house about the reservation, he heard a voice from behind.
“Ethan, there you are!”
He swallowed hard. There was Rachel, removing her coat to reveal a red dress that could stop traffic.
Her smiling face took on a slightly confused expression, and he realized he was standing there, staring at her with his mouth open.
He quickly tried to compose himself and cleared his throat. “Sorry, I was a little early.” His thoughts were moving slowly, taking in every aspect of her appearance. Then the bright flash of the diamond on her hand as she smoothed her hair down once again reminded him of the purpose of this dinner. He was here for the ring.
His ring…Vanessa’s ring.
Then he noticed something. “Has your fiancé been delayed?”
Rachel colored, and her gaze wouldn’t meet his.
“I’m so sorry, but Gary couldn’t make it in the end. Long story…”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. What the hell was going on here? The guy was avoiding him on purpose, surely? Why else would he refuse to return his calls and now cry off on this so-called gratitude dinner?
But what Ethan really needed to find out now was whether Rachel knew what was going on and was also in on some plan to keep the ring.
Well, forget that. Lovely as she might be, there was nowayhe was allowing himself to be played any longer. Still, judging by the look on her face, he could see that Rachel was deeply uncomfortable about the fact that she had to make excuses once again.
