He released her hand and got out of the car, walking around the back to open her door for her. The photographers spotted him instantly and started yelling his name, flashes popping like fireworks.
“Ethan! Ethan! Over here! How’s it going, man?” The voices of the paparazzi overlapped in an incoherent roar. As he pulled Grey’s door open, the noise faded into the background as she turned those wide blue eyes on him. God, she really was beautiful. Her hesitant expression he had seen just moments ago had vanished. She looked calm, even regal. He held out his hand to her and she took it, her soft fingers clasping his as he guided her out of the car.
“How chivalrous,” she murmured with a sly smile. She let him lead her past the photographers into the restaurant. The hostess greeted them and whisked them through a well-hiddendoorway to the private dining room. The noise of the restaurant dampened to a hush when the door closed behind them. As the hostess seated them and handed them menus, Ethan exhaled. He had made it. Now all he had to do was make it through an intimate, one-on-one dinner with a beautiful and charming woman he was undeniably, disturbingly attracted to. Piece of cake.
Grey was studying the menu.
“Have you been here before?”
She looked up.
“Yeah, a few years ago. With, um. With my ex.” Her mouth twisted and she looked away. He flashed back to the pictures of her crying and felt a twinge of anger.
He needed a drink. Now.
“Should we get a bottle of wine?”
“Sure. I guess. I’m kind of a lightweight, though,” she admitted. He nodded, pursing his lips in mock seriousness.
“Oh yeah. Me, too.”
He thought that would make her laugh, but instead her eyes flickered with a look that almost seemed like concern. Before he could parse it, she went back to the menu.
The waitress came by to take their drink orders and he ordered them a Cabernet.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Ethan said once the waitress had left.
She looked up at him, eyes wide.
“What?”
“Is Grey your real name?”
The trepidation on her face dissolved as she laughed.
“No. Well, sort of. It’s my middle name. My mom’s maiden name. My first name is Emily.”
“What’s wrong with Emily?”
She shrugged. “Nothing. Renata suggested I change it, thought it might be more marketable. I booked my show right after, so I guess she was right.”
“Does anyone still call you Emily?”
She looked at him closely, as if trying to figure out his angle. “Um, my mom and my brother. My friend Kamilah, sometimes. I think that’s it.”
“What should I call you?”
She took a moment to consider it. “It’s up to you, I guess. I was never that attached to Emily, though. I don’t mind it when people who knew me before use it, but…I think I feel more Grey these days.” She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “Even though I look like a blonde.”
“I’m never gonna live that one down, am I?”
“I’m kind of shocked I don’t hear it more, honestly.”
The waitress came back with the bottle of wine, pouring a little in Ethan’s glass. He swirled it, took a sip, and nodded. She poured them both generous glasses.
“Are you ready to order? Need a little more time?”
“I’ll have the wedge salad and the rib eye, medium rare. What about you, baby?” He tenderly placed his hand over Grey’s. She didn’t miss a beat, meeting his eyes with unmasked adoration. The waitress smiled down at them.
